I have a
great, big imagination that I thank God for because it brings immense creativity
to my life. However, there is a downside to it. I can see a lot of wonderful
scenarios happening in my future. Some of which give me a direction to walk
toward and may even be from God. But others may simply be of my own mind and not
a plan for my future. I can want a lot of things that may not actually be the
best for me.
God seems to sort through the multiple scenarios that get
caught in my head. Some of them may come to be and some of them won’t. The
expectations that aren’t from God will dissipate over time. The ones that are
from God will grow over time.
self-control…
I can dream will come to fruition. Life is harder than I expect. And this is a
good thing.
A good thing? How can that be?
Jesus said, “Here on
earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world” (John 16:33).
He doesn’t say to enjoy the trials. He
knows that a lot of them will be sorrowful. But when I see them, I can take
heart (or be encouraged) that Jesus has overcome them by giving me the ability
to withstand those disappointments and go forward to something
better.
Jesus overcomes these obstacles of disappointment by using them
to grow my faith and dependence on Him. The more I see my botched expectations,
the easier it is to go in the exact direction that God planned for me all
along.
Disappointments in life are tests that help me to develop my “God
sight.” If something doesn’t turn out like I expected, it’s an opportunity to
see a little bit more of God’s plan. Seeing what doesn’t work helps me to see
what does. Of course, sometimes it’s my own stubbornness that causes me to have
to learn things the hard way, and the hard way almost always contains
disappointments.
But… Jesus has overcome all of this! He gives me the
strength every day to make new choices when my initial expectations don’t work
out.
My growth in the areas of patience and faithfulness leads to
strengthened endurance. James 1:4 says that when my endurance is fully
developed, I will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Doesn’t that sound
wonderful? But perfect, complete, and not needing anything doesn’t mean
independent. Independence and my pride is what gets me into a lot of trouble —
that’s my before picture. My after picture (or at least the one that I am
striving for) is one of complete and utter dependence on God and this is how I
become complete and whole.
Jesus’ death and resurrection overcame the
world’s evil and gave believers like me the strength to overcome my trials and
problems. I overcome by living a different way — His way — instead of my own
way.
But then there’s another problem. Life isn’t just hard when I do
things my own way and then reap the consequences. It’s also hard even when I am
trying to follow God’s way.
Trials come when I go my own way and when I
follow God. Faith and obedience don’t guarantee a smooth life with no
disappointments.
Life can often be harder than we expect when
tragedies happen:
- You’re diagnosed with a debilitating illness or even paralysis and are
bedridden. - Your child dies way before his or her time.
- You watch a loved one slowly fade away from cancer.
Any of
the above can happen to believers and unbelievers. No one is immune from life’s
tragic moments. Life is very fragile, as well as
precious.
Disappointments can come simply because it’s a fallen
world. Satan does everything possible to distract people from following God.
He can’t really stop you from living your life for God but he can place
obstacles in your way that hinder you. He can whisper doubts that can go
straight to your heart if you let them. And if those doubts imbed themselves
within your mind, they can take root as bitterness. Bitterness comes out in the
form of anger, self-pity, and even depression, all of which halt your ability to
walk along God’s path for your life.
But… let me repeat… God has
overcome all of that!
The phrase “But God…” appears a lot in the Bible
for a very good reason. Disappointments will happen but God is with you to
comfort and help you walk through them.
When disappointments seem to
block my way, I can hurdle them and continue on my way. Occasionally though,
it’s not that simple. Some disappointments are bigger than others. Those may
require me to step off the path for a bit and nurse my wounds by reading God’s
Truth and connecting with other people for extra encouragement. But then… I can
get back on the road and go forward.
Life is always going to be harder
than I expect. My expectations and God’s ultimate plan often look
different.
Bring God all of your expectations.
Stay near to
Him.
Learn from Him through it all.
And… the sum of your life will be
better than you expect no matter what elements go into it.
12:21)
[written by Jennifer Heeren]
