When things don't turn out the way you hoped

According to Mr.Webster, to disappoint means “to fail to satisfy the hope, desire, orexpectation of.”

We speak of timesof disappointment in sentences which begin with should have or could have.

I’ve founddisappointment to be one of the most finely honed weapons in the enemy’s arsenal.If we’re not watchful, disappointment can lead to a root of bitterness whichcan quickly take root in our lives and like cancer, eat away all that’s good.

Whendisappointment leaves us protesting, “I didn’t know it was going to turn outlike this,” we must make a choice not to embrace toxic thoughts by choosing toreplace those thoughts with God’s word.

I keep coming backto this quote, “Can it be that which seems to oppose the will of Godactually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God? That which seems evilonly seems so because of perspective, the way the eyes see the shadows. Abovethe clouds, light never stops shining.” —Ann Voskamp

Faith only beginsto flex its muscles in times when the darkness settles in around us. Faith is“our handle on what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:5 Hebrews).

Even in times ofgreat disappointment, through faith, we choose to fix our eyes on Jesus.Whatever situation left our hopes, desires, and expectations wanting, we maytrust God will use it for our good and His glory.

“…those who hopein me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).

“We continue toshout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know howtroubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turnforges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will donext. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged.Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything Godgenerously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 5:3-5 TheMessage).

“And hope does notdisappoint us…” (Romans 5:5). 

(I'm using a new theme on my blog. If you'd like to share, it's the little arrow on the bottom left. Thanks!)

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023