Turn on your cookies for the best browsing experience.

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

These cookies are essential to make our site work. We use cookies for a variety of reasons, including giving and content preferences.

Instructions to turn on your browser cookies:

https://www.whatismybrowser.com/guides/how-to-enable-cookies/auto

LocationsWatchAboutCareGive
Menu My Dashboard
Sign In

Sign in for a personalized experience.

    Resource Details

    When A Setback Fills You With Fear

    Rick Warren | September 16, 2018

    Have you ever watched a football game when the underdog came back to win in the final seconds? We all love a good comeback story, especially when it results in an unexpected victory. In this message, Pastor Rick Warren shares the four truths about setbacks and how every challenge is a setup for a great comeback. You’ll learn the common fears associated with setbacks, including inadequacy, disapproval, disappointment, and loss of control. Find out how to replace fear with faith by surrendering to God and basing your hope on the promises of God.

    Message Action Plan

    Message Action Plan

    TRUTHS ABOUT SETBACKS TO REMEMBER

    1. THERE ARE NO COMEBACKS WITHOUT SETBACKS
         
    2.  EVERY SETBACK IS A SETUP FOR A COMEBACK.     

    3.  A SETBACK IS INTENDED NOT TO PUNISH ME, BUT TO PREPARE ME FOR MY NEXT STAGE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

    4.  SETBACKS ARE THE STEPPING STONES TO MY FUTURE.

    Action Plan: Which of these truths is the hardest for you to remember or accept? Talk to God about it this week, asking him to help you understand and accept that truth.

    COMMON FEARS AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS

    • Mary FACED THE FEAR OF INADEQUENCY

      "Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. So, the angel said, 'Do NOT BE AFRAID, Mary. for God has decided to bless and use you! You will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus . . . and he will be the Son of God, and his Kingdom will never end!' Then Mary asked, 'But how can this be?'    Luke 1:29-34
    • JOSEPH FACED THE FEAR OF DISAPPROVAL

      "Now this is how Jesus Christ was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a good and righteous man, decided to break off the engagement quietly, so it would not disgrace Mary publicly. But after he had considered doing this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child in her is from God's Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18-20
    • SHEPHERDS FACED THE FEAR OF UNEXPECTED CHANGE

      "That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory flashed and surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, so the angel said to them 'Do NOT be afraid!'" Luke 2:8-10
    • KING HEROD FACED THE FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL

      "Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time that Herod was the king of the Jews . . . Then some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and started asking: 'Where is the child born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him!' When King Herod heard this news, he was deeply frightened and disturbed, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem!"  Matthew 2:1-3
    • ZECHARIAH FACED THE FEAR OF BEING DISAPPOINTED

      "(While serving in the Temple) an angel appeared to Zechariah. When he saw the angel, he was confused and overwhelmed with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraiD! Your prayer has been heard!"   Luke 1:11-13

    HOW CAN I REPLACE MY FEARS WITH FAITH?

    1.  SURRENDER MY LIFE COMPLETELY TO GOD EVERYDAY

    "Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever God wants for my life!'"  Luke 1:38 

    "Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. Then you'll rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry!"  Job 11:13-18 (CEV)

    Action Plan: Find someway to get yourself to kneel every morning (ex. place your keys or shoes under your bed).  When you go to grab them each day, take 2 to 3 minutes to pray and surrender your day to God.

    2.   STOP LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF FEAR

    "Whatsoever is not based on faith is sin." Romans 14:23

    3.   FILL MY MIND WITH MUSIC THAT PRAISES GOD

    "Then Mary sang, 'With all my heart I praise the Lord! I rejoice in God my Savior, for he notices and cares for me, a simple servant girl! . . . He has blessed me, and He is the Mighty One who is holy . . . He is All-Powerful . . . He can do anything . . . He meets all our needs . . . and He keeps his promises!" Luke 1:46-56


                            Mary sang!                     Luke 1:46-56
                            Elizabeth sang!               Luke 1: 42-45
                            The Angels sang!            Luke 2:13-14
                            The Shepherds sang!       Luke 2:20
                            Zechariah sang!              Luke 1:67-79

                      You lose your fear with you feel God is near!

    Action Plan: Check out the Saddleback Worship YouTube channel or the "Saddleback Church – Songs We Sing on the Weekend" Spotify playlist.

    4. BASE MY HOPE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

    Elizabeth said to Mary, "You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."  Luke 1:45

    "When I am afraid, I put my trust in God. And when I trust in God I am not afraid! I praise him for what he has promised."  Psalm 56:3-4

    Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with Mark Carver on lessons from Saddleback's history. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.

    Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.

    More from this series

    More from this series

    Turning Setbacks into Comebacks
    July 29 - September 30, 2018
    • When No One Understands Your Goal
      September 30, 2018
    • When It Looks Too Late For A Comeback
      September 23, 2018
    • When A Setback Fills You With Fear
      September 16, 2018
    • When Others Keep Setting You Back
      September 9, 2018
    • When You Feel Like Giving Up
      September 2, 2018
    • When a Setback Leaves You Emotionally Empty
      August 27, 2018
    • When Your Setback Feels Like Failure
      August 18, 2018
    • When A Setback Isn’t Your Fault
      August 12, 2018
    • When Your Setback Seems Irreversible
      August 5, 2018
    • When You’ve Had A Business Setback
      July 29, 2018
    My Dashboard
    LocationsWatchAboutCareGive

    Get Involved

    Adults

    • Newcomers Connection
    • Activate
    • Small Groups
    • Volunteer
    • Mission
    • Events

    For Your Family

    • Kids
    • Students
    • Parents

    Get Care

    • Prayer
    • Celebrate Recovery
    • Counseling
    • Support Groups

    Resources

    • Pursue Growth
    • Message Resources
    • Small Group Studies
    • Financial Tools
    • Podcasts
    • Apps

    More

    • Internships
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    © 2024 Saddleback ChurchPrivacy Policy