Getting to the Olympics is hard, and British runner Derek Redmond had overcome injuries and setbacks to be there. In 1992, Redmond thought his moment had come. He was competing in the 400-meter semifinal at the Barcelona games. Halfway through the race, his hamstring tore. He collapsed to the track, and his Olympic dream appeared to be over.

As the race continued, Derek struggled to his feet and began hobbling forward.

Insert yourself here. You’re running life’s race, and suddenly your hamstring is torn. You feel as if you’re hobbling. In these moments, we can find encouragement in the Bible.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Notice all the times but appears in this passage.

• Today may press us on every side, but we won’t be crushed.
• Challenges may perplex us, but they won’t drive us to despair.
• Adversity may hunt us down, but we are not abandoned by God.
• Life may knock us down, but we are not destroyed.

Today’s circumstances and challenges may be enormous, but they don’t have the final word. God does.

Remember, Derek. He was hobbling toward the finish line. He wasn’t going to give up without trying to finish.

While Derek was hobbling forward, his dad was running out of the stands, brushing by security, and jogging to meet him. Derek’s dad put his arm around his son, and with tear-filled eyes, the two finished the race together.

Derek didn’t win a medal that day, but his story reminds us that a painful setback doesn’t have to be the end of our story.

While the challenge may look different, you may be facing an enormous one today. You may feel knocked down by unexpected circumstances, but don’t lose hope. What you’re facing today doesn’t have to define your tomorrow. With the Lord’s help, you’ll be able to finish the race.