If you take a moment, you probably could think of an instance where you’ve felt a bit of discontent. Maybe your employer hasn’t given you the recognition you deserve. Maybe your kids won’t eat their vegetables. Maybe the pants that fit last week seem to fit a little snug this week. If you think life isn’t working out how you imagined, then it’s time for a turnaround. Instead of thinking you've been put into these situations by chance, try a perspective change to see them as God’s providence—preparation for future possibilities. There are a few things to keep in mind when you find yourself in a prolonged, tough situation that can help you remember God is in control.

Take a Pause

A comma is not placed at the end of a sentence, it’s used to begin a new clause. Often a pause or a setback in your life is the beginning of a turnaround. God is putting the puzzle pieces of your life together, but only he knows what the full picture will be. We often must go through hard times before we can step into our purpose. Embrace the pause. A waiting season never has to be a wasted season. Timing is everything, and sometimes the Holy Spirit will restrict you as part of the process of moving forward.

Think Slow-Fast

God brings a breakthrough to your life when things are ready. It’s a slow journey of preparation, but when everything is put in place God moves suddenly. If you’ve ever baked a cake, you’ve seen “slow-fast” in action. You take the time to prep the ingredients, which by themselves are not very tasty. A few raw eggs, a stick of butter and a cup of flour. Mix them all together, but it’s still not a cake. You can’t serve up the batter, as tempting as that might be. No, the mix must go into the oven and stay there until it’s ready to come out. Suddenly the timer goes off, and those individual ingredients have been transformed into a delicious product. When you add all of life’s ingredients together, failure, rejection, pain, they may all look unappealing individually, but they come together through the fire and they build your future. God intentionally uses these seemingly separate parts to paint a masterpiece. Because those pants didn’t fit, you were motivated to go to the gym, where you met the personal trainer you fell in love with and married. There are no coincidences. Your setback may be a set up for God to do the extraordinary. Although everyone’s story is unique, when we view situations through the lens of God’s providence, we’re able to have patience and rest knowing God is working. It is time to change perspectives. God’s timing is perfect and intentional. When it looks like life has been placed on hold, keep your head up. God is about to move, and when God moves it’s sudden.