Skip to main content

disappointment or hope?


Been there. Done that. And that would be far too many times.

Pain. Heartache. Questions. Focus. That’s a challenge.  You have been there as well.

Yet along the way there are some things that make sense and give us a place where we can focus.

I don't always understand the path we have to walk or the things we go through, yet through the fog or clouds there is hope because God has not left us; we are His children. There is still that voice deep in my heart and the compassion He has for us and for others that ought to take our pain and exchange it for something better.  Exchange it for pure, God-given hope.

Psalms 33:18,20 (NASB)
"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness...Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield."

This chorus by Darrell Evans rings in my head as my mind opens...

I'm trading my sorrow. I'm trading my shame.
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord.
I'm trading my sickness. I'm trading my pain.
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord...
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned,
Struck down but not destroyed.
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night,
His joy comes with the morning...
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord.

Make a choice. Let God take your disappointment and use it for His good in your life. Let God take your shame and teach you to stand stronger on Him. Let God take your grief and focus it in a new direction that will remind you of His hope and let others know that our God is big and strong.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG)
"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ."

Choose. Disappointment or hope.

NOTE: this post was first shared in August 2006 and remains true and a great challenge.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you
Post a Comment
Read more

why is it Good Friday?

  Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation.  We come to Friday.  The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me   Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good?   Jesus was treated as a criminal.  He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him.  His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure.  That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the  Passion of the Christ .   Yet it is a good day.  It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart.  What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me:   He is Redemption and Redeemer   He too our Pain and Punishment   He is our Righteousness and Reality   He is the Savior and Life   All of those happened from the cross.  It was meant for the worst lawbreakers.  It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law.  It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus.   Look
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba.  Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve.   Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba.  There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met.  No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more.  These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana.  On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours.  We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours.  We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good.  We visited two partner churches.  In the morning we were with one church that
Post a Comment
Read more