It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered

by Lysa TerKeurst

To hope is to acknowledge reality in the very same breath that I acknowledge God’s sovereignty. REMEMBER: • When things stay hard for a long time, every day feels more like walking on a tightrope than a solid and secure road into the future. • My hope is tied to the unchanging promise of God. • I know I must walk through God’s process before I see His fulfilled promise. • God isn’t picking on me. God is picking me to personally live out one of His promises. • I’ve got to walk through the low places of the process before I’m perfectly equipped to live the promise. • Not only is His presence in the process, but there’s also a purpose in the process. • The process isn’t a cruel way to keep you from the promise; it’s the exact preparation you’ll need to handle the promise. • God is far more interested in your being prepared than in your being comfortable. RECEIVE: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10) Also read: Job 42 Psalm 40:1–4 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 Colossians 1:9–11 James 1:2–4 REFLECT: • Think back on what we talked about regarding God’s presence, process, purpose, preparation, and promise. How does this help you with your own disappointments? • Consider the list of verses that speaks to the process. Which one resonates most dee...