Strength in Weakness: Overcoming Setbacks

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When Setbacks Knock You Down

I remember a couple of years ago when I was out of work because of a knee injury. I’m not even sure what happened. It was a little sore one day, and more painful the next. By the fourth day, however, I couldn’t bear weight on it. I ended up out of work for three weeks because of it, and was still not able to stand the entire day when I first returned to work.

One of the hardest things for me to accept, however, was the fact that most of my physical therapy exercises were exercises I used to do on a regular basis – before I decided I was too busy to exercise. That truth was frustrating. It was discouraging to think that I had let myself drift away from something I once prioritized. And it left me battling emotions of comparison, frustration, and the temptation to give up altogether.

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God’s Strength in Our Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

During this time I learned where my support system was. Being injured showed me the people who checked in, the people who offered to help, and the ones who prayed for me. It also showed me how much I needed God. When I couldn’t move the way I was used to, I had to lean on Him more fully.

It reminded me that fitness journeys are never perfectly straight lines. Life will throw unexpected setbacks, and no matter how strong or disciplined we think we are, weakness is always part of the journey. But weakness is not failure — it’s the place where God’s strength can shine the brightest.

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Practical Encouragement for Setbacks

If you are facing your own setback right now, know that there are still ways forward. They may look different than before, but they are not any less valuable.

• If injured → focus on nutrition or upper/lower body alternatives. Even gentle stretching and mindful eating can help you heal while keeping your health in view.
• If busy → try small movements instead of full workouts. Ten minutes of stretching, a short walk at lunch, or even taking the stairs is still progress.
• If discouraged → reframe the goal and celebrate small wins. Don’t measure only by big milestones — give yourself credit for drinking water, resting when you need it, or showing up with what you have.

Small steps still count. In fact, it’s often the small steps taken in weakness that build lasting strength.

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Faith & Fitness Connection

Weakness doesn’t stop growth; it redirects it. For me, it was bringing me back to the basics. I was familiar with almost all the exercises the physical therapist gave me, and the setback reminded me why those foundational movements mattered.

In the same way, our faith is often strengthened in times of trial. Just like those basic exercises build stability and mobility, trials in our lives build humility and endurance. God uses them to strip away pride and distractions, bringing us back to what matters most — His grace and His presence.

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Reflection & Call to Action

Setbacks are not the end of the journey. They are a part of it.

Reflection Question: What setback are you facing right now, and how can you invite God’s strength into it?

I encourage you to write it down, pray over it, and remind yourself that weakness doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re in the perfect position for God’s strength to be made visible.

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