Hope That Doesn’t Disappoint
Have you ever noticed the same obstacles coming against you in a cyclical pattern?
When you think you’re on the right track or have found a solution to an ongoing difficulty, that same problem crops up in a different place.
Maybe you’re sure you have the skills and have worked hard to
-find a job that makes you happy that you’ll thrive in and can financially support you and your family.
Only to have a critical boss you cannot please. Or, you’re demoted simply because your good at what you do. And you work for an insecure individual who doesn’t like being overshadowed by another person’s gift.
-spend years of your childhood practicing a sport. You’ve made a goal to attain the highest level of excellence only to sustain a serious injury. Your dreams are shattered.
-dream of the day you can start your own family, when the doctor tells you that you will never have children.
Why does God allow us to sometimes go through one disappointment after another?
If we don’t deal with these constant disappointments they can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, depression. And even physical symptoms of fatigue or exhaustion.
We push ourselves to our limit and wonder why our bodies break down from the pressures of trying to do everything ourselves.
Dictionary.com defines the word disappoint as
to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of
to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart; frustrate:
After years of emotional, physical, family, marital and work setbacks, I can honestly say that I think the Lord uses these times to draw us close to his heart.
Scriptures bear up under this truth. Several are my favorites.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Sometimes we just need to let go of those expectations, goals or plans and hand them over to the father.
While it may feel counterintuitive to take a break from the work we’re familiar with, maybe the change needs to come from within?
Hard to do isn’t it?
I contend you set time apart to bring your hurts and losses to the one who knows you best. Let him lead you into the words you need to hear to begin to heal your heart.
Recently, I’ve seen and heard from loved ones tragic circumstances that have caused me to run to God with questions.
If you bring your cares to the one who cares for you he’ll give you a peace and a comfort that far surpasses anything else this world can offer.
His presence is real.
His words are life.
His way is clear.
Run to the Father he is waiting for you now.
You may be surprised by what he does for you.
Romans 5:1-5 King James Version
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Happy Easter my friend! He is risen.
