Disappointment

     What do you do when disappointment sets in?  How do you handle your heart when you feel like you have been betrayed, forgotten, or something did not work out that way you planned or hoped for?  Life is full of disappointment, sometimes because we ourselves are the ones who bring it on due to various circumstances, and other times just because of the turbulence of life.

    David in the Psalms was no stranger to disappointment and despair.  He himself said, 'why so downcast o my soul...yet I will trust in God'.  The old proverb that says, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life' often rings in my head.  What is my hope in?  What is your hope in?  I know we hope for certain things to work out in life, like getting a better job in order to make more money, or being tired of our immediate circumstances and wanting change and newness in life.  There are many things that we hope for, some extremely important, and others trivial.  The truth is that our only hope is in Christ alone.

   We are created to enjoy and God wants us to experience joy in our friendships, our work, and ministry.  I am realizing that when all is said and done, my joy rest in God alone.  Knowing Him, and knowing His voice.  I want to turn to Him in my disappointment and frustration and find hope.  He is hope, when things don't work out as planned or anticipated.  The tendency is to harbor anger, or unvoiced frustration.  Can I not just pour out my complaint to the Lord?  Is He not able to handle it?  I guess I am learning that only when I am truthful with God, when I share my frustration with him, then I begin to find hope.  Knowing that He wants to be involved in my hurt, in my despair, in my loneliness, in my failings.  I am learning, slowly.  Learning to voice my deepest heart to Him, that He cares and knows my needs.

  Praying you find hope in the midst of disappointment.  May there be an island or an oasis provided for you to enjoy when things don't go as planned.  Be blessed.

Discipline

Not one of my favorite words. Discipline. Yet a very important word that often times I have neglected. Why? Well the flesh always chooses the path of least resistance right? It's like you know that exercise is good for you but you still would rather veg out on the couch rather than run a few miles. It's like you know that heating healthier is a good and necessary thing for health and life, but the donuts just taste so darn good right? So what's the point?

The point is discipline. It does not come naturally to most people. It has to be worked in through habit and repetition. The more I do something over and over again the more it becomes routine. It's like riding my bike. I got to get it out and just do it! Once I ride I feel great. So let's get disciplined!