Last week we had beautiful fall days. Warm sunny with crisp leaves and cornstalks. Me and my youngest son enjoyed those days with trips to corn mazes and local parks, jumping in creeks and scavenger hunts until I got sick. Now I didn’t and don’t have Covid, Praise God, but I caught a cold which turned into a sinus infection. We had plans for the week. We had plans for the weekend but all came to a sudden halt and I was left struggling at home with disappointment and so was he.
Disappointments happen to everyone. I used to get really bent out of shape when they did. They are not a sign that God doesn’t love me or that Satan “won.” There just a part of life. When we focus on them instead of the goodness God gives us we can easily fall into depression and sadness.
I started with being thankful. I am thankful I got sick while my kids were on fall break so that no one missed anything important. I am thankful for doctors who prescribe medicine that made me feel better. I am thankful for hot tea and Netti pots.
I started reading what the Bible says about disappointments. Romans 8:28 says,” And we know (with great confidence) that God (who is deeply concerned about us) causes all things to work together (as a plan) for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
I love the way the Amplified version of the Bible says this verse. We know with great confidence. Do you have great confidence in God that when things don’t go how you planned that its still working to your good? How great is your confidence in God for him to guide you, protect you and have a plan for you, to love you?
Next it says, God who is deeply concerned about us. Do you think about how concerned God is for you? His love is more than just feel good mush. He cares for you, he keeps your tears in a bottle, he is concerned about you. Why because you are his adopted child. I am concerned about my children all the time. I am concerned when they go to the mall with their friends and I’m not there. I ‘m concerned when they go to school. I’m concerned when they go to their extra curricular activities. God does that over you. ALL THE TIME.
“He causes all things to work together, as a plan, for good” That cold it was for my own good. It didn’t feel good. It didn’t seem good at the time but it was for my own good. When I was in my twenties I worked for a company that was not great. There were lots of things going on there that weren’t good. But I was a hard worker and wouldn’t just quit. I was fired from that company. Being fired was awful. It didn’t feel good at all. But God used that to get me on the right path again. He changed my plans for His own good.
Finally, “For those who love God and are called according to his plan and purpose.” If you love God then he has a plan and purpose for your life. It may not feel like He does right now, but he does. You have to become brave to fulfill it maybe step out of your comfort zone, but He has a plan for you. That plan doesn’t change no matter how many mistakes you make.
Romans 5:5 says “Such hope (in God’s promises) never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
God’s promised us so much. God does not disappoint in His promises to us. We can take comfort in Him and in those promises. When the worldly disappointments happen.
2 Corinthians 4:16 says “Therefore we do not become discouraged, (spiritless, disappointed or afraid) Though our outer self is (progressivley) wasting away, yet our inner self is being (progressively) renewed day by day.”
Disappointments in life can prune us. They can be used by God to shape us into being more like Jesus, who suffered many, many disappointments in His time here on earth. If your struggling with disappointment in life I hope this brought you some comfort. God is always for you. I would love to pray for you if you are struggling today.
2BecomeBrave 