Disappointments you will have, but ever bear in mind that Jesus, the living, risen Saviour, is your Redeemer, your Restorer. He loves you, and it is better to share His love than to sit with princes and be separated from Him….
Come daily to Jesus, who loves you. Open your heart to Him freely. In Him there is no disappointment. You will never find a better counselor, a safer guide, a more sure defense. – Our Father Cares, p. 28, 29
I was talking with a friend the other day about disappointments. We’ve worked together a long time and have seen favoritism, nepotism, and the unqualified in-crowd getting positions instead of the qualified.
It can be really hard to take that in. Especially when it’s you and your friends that seem to be the ones getting passed over.
Man, why am I even here? I should have done something else in my life. It seems like the unfeeling people in power are playing games with me. Life probably would have been better if I had made different decisions when I was younger. I really wish I could go back and talk to the younger version of myself and drop some key words of wisdom.
It’s so easy to focus on the abuses and disappointments, but God would rather have us put our minds in a different place.
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Sometimes it’s too easy to give other people the power. Like, they’re the ones influencing my life, and there’s nothing I can do about it. But God cares, and He’s involved in our lives. He is. He really is. Even if we can’t see His hand in what’s happening right now doesn’t mean He’s not involved. If we don’t know everything, that doesn’t mean He doesn’t.
It can be trite and cliché, but many are the sadnesses and disappointments that lead to greater things in life. I know I for sure have experiences I wouldn’t want to have again, but they helped develop me into who I am.
Another way to combat this mindset is as follows:
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
In dealing with these oppressive thoughts and situations, we shouldn’t camp out in front of God’s door with our list of things He hasn’t done for us. Rather, when we cast all our cares on Him, we can also thank Him for the things He has done in our lives.
Even in the time before Christ, God was more concerned with the focus of His followers than physical sacrifices.
Psalms 50:23
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.
Offering praise is a skill, and we need to do it purposefully. Some days we will be able to express more things than others, but over time it can become a fundamental way of how we view the world.
In this world, so much reads like a tragedy, and the stories that will break your heart are without number. But we have a Friend that will never leave us, and He’s working in our lives in ways we don’t see. If you’re not sure how much He’s invested, look at the cross.
Proverbs 18:24
There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Laying Foundations 