Pressing Reset: Finding Hope in Life’s Setbacks

The Ups and Downs of Life

Board games have a way of bringing out the best—and sometimes the worst—in people. Whether it’s the excitement of building an empire in Monopoly, the frustration of sliding back down in Chutes and Ladders, or the surprise of drawing an unexpected “Sorry” card, these games remind us of one truth: they all come with ups and downs.

In a recent sermon, the imagery of board games served as a powerful metaphor for life itself. Just like a game, life is full of victories and setbacks. We can be moving forward confidently one moment, only to find ourselves knocked back the next. That experience is not only common but expected. Life has a way of shifting without warning.

The encouraging message of the sermon was clear: while setbacks are inevitable, God provides something that board games never can—a reset button.

Life Comes with Setbacks

We’ve all experienced those moments when everything seems to fall apart in an instant. Plans that felt secure suddenly unravel. Peace is disrupted by fear, doubt, or temptation. In the sermon, these moments were compared to that dreaded moment in Uno when, just as victory is within reach, your opponents stack “+4” cards until you’re left with a hand full of problems.

Setbacks come in many forms—anxiety, financial struggles, broken relationships, or spiritual failures. At their core, the greatest setback of all is sin, the force that separates humanity from God and threatens to undo the progress of faith.

But Scripture provides a word of encouragement. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul reminds believers that no temptation is unique to them, and that God always provides a way of escape. The sermon emphasized this truth: while sin and trials are real, they are not final. They test persistence, but God equips His people with the endurance to keep going.

Jesus himself urged persistence in Matthew 7:7–8: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” The grammar of the verse indicates ongoing action—keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. In other words, setbacks are not the end of the story. Endurance is.

God Gives Us a Reset

While board games leave players stuck with their losses, life is different. God offers a way to start again, not by erasing the past, but by redirecting the future. That “reset button” is found in Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 records Jesus’ declaration: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is more than a statement of guidance; it is an invitation to reset, to realign life with the only source of eternal hope.

The sermon reminded listeners of the cross, where Jesus willingly endured suffering and death to provide the ultimate reset for humanity. His words—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)—were not just for the Roman soldiers, but for everyone. They were for us, knowing that we would stumble and wander.

The challenge is whether we will press that reset button. Too often, people resist, convinced they can fix life on their own. Pride whispers that no help is needed. Yet without Christ, attempts to recover from setbacks often leave us stuck in the same cycle of frustration. With Him, however, there is real forgiveness, real healing, and a genuine fresh start.

Reset Means Refocusing

The purpose of resetting isn’t just to feel better—it’s to refocus. Every game has a goal, whether reaching the end of Candyland, outlasting competitors in Monopoly, or discarding the final card in Uno. Life, too, has a goal.

The world often convinces us that the “win” is wealth, status, or possessions. Yet, as Matthew 6:19–21 warns, earthly treasures fade and cannot be carried into eternity. Cars, houses, clothing, and accolades—all eventually rust, rot, or are left behind.

The true victory, as the sermon highlighted, is eternal life with God. The real prize is to hear the words of Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Anything less means playing the game of life with the wrong objective.

This is why Paul urged believers in Philippians 3:13–14 to forget what is behind and press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Resetting without refocusing misses the point. The call is not simply to start again, but to fix eyes on the finish line of faith.

Enduring to the End

Refocusing requires endurance. The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. Hebrews 12:1–2 encourages believers to lay aside every hindrance and run with endurance, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus. He endured the cross, despised its shame, and is now seated at God’s right hand. His perseverance becomes both the model and the motivation for ours.

The sermon also reminded listeners of Proverbs’ wisdom: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fear here does not mean cowering, but taking God seriously—living with the awareness that heaven and hell are real, and that eternity matters.

A Challenge to Reset and Refocus

Life is full of board-flipping moments—the kinds that make us want to quit, give up, or walk away. But unlike the games we play around the table, life with God offers something far greater: the chance to press reset, to start anew through Christ.

The challenge set before the congregation was simple yet profound: Have you pressed reset? For some, that may mean putting Christ on in baptism. For others, it may mean repenting, turning back, and refocusing on the goal. For still others, it may mean asking for prayer and support from fellow believers.

At the end of the day, the reset button is always available—but it only works if we choose to press it.

Conclusion

Board games may entertain us with their ups and downs, but they also teach us something important: setbacks are part of the journey. In life, however, setbacks do not have to define us. Through Christ, God provides the opportunity to reset, to refocus, and to endure until the very end.

The true win is not found in earthly success but in hearing the words of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Until then, the call is clear—reset, refocus, and run the race with endurance.