-
God Uses Disappointments To Reveal The One To You Series
Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 4, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: In this Sermon, we will explore how God uses disappointments to reveal the one to you...
As believers, we often face disappointments and setbacks in our pursuit of love and relationships. However, what if these disappointments are not mere coincidences, but rather divine appointments designed to prepare us for the one God has ordained for us?
In this Sermon, we will explore how God uses disappointments to reveal the one to you, and provide practical advice on how to face these challenges, wait for God's timing, and prepare yourself through prayer.
Why Disappointments?
Disappointments can be a difficult and painful experience, but they serve a greater purpose in God's plan. Here are a few reasons why God may use disappointments to reveal the one to you:
• To refine your character: Disappointments can help you develop patience, perseverance, and trust in God's sovereignty.
• To reveal your motivations: Disappointments can expose your true motivations and desires, helping you to discern whether your pursuit of love is driven by selfishness or a genuine desire for godly partnership.
• To prepare you for the right person: Disappointments can help you develop emotional maturity, spiritual depth, and a clearer understanding of what you want and need in a partner.
Examples from the Bible
Here are five examples from the Bible of how God used disappointments to reveal the one to individuals:
1. Abraham and Sarah
Abraham and Sarah faced numerous disappointments in their quest for a child, including the failure of Abraham's attempt to have a child with Hagar (Genesis 16). However, God ultimately fulfilled His promise, and Sarah gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21).
2. Joseph
Joseph's journey to becoming a leader in Egypt was marked by numerous disappointments, including being sold into slavery by his brothers and being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 37, 39). However, God ultimately exalted Joseph to a position of power and influence.
3. Ruth
Ruth's life was marked by disappointment and loss, including the death of her husband and her subsequent poverty (Ruth 1). However, God ultimately brought her into a loving relationship with Boaz, and she became an ancestor of King David.
4. Hannah
Hannah's desire for a child was met with disappointment and ridicule, including the taunts of her rival, Peninnah (1 Samuel 1). However, God ultimately answered Hannah's prayers, and she gave birth to Samuel, who became a great prophet and leader in Israel.
5. David
David's journey to becoming king of Israel was marked by numerous disappointments, including being rejected by his family and facing opposition from King Saul (1 Samuel 16-31). However, God ultimately established David as king, and he became one of the greatest leaders in Israel's history.
How to Face Disappointments
So, how can you face disappointments in your pursuit of love and relationships? Here are a few practical tips:
• Trust in God's sovereignty: Remember that God is in control, and His plans are always good, even if they don't make sense to us at the time.
• Don't settle for less: Be patient and wait for God's best, rather than settling for someone who is not a good match for you.
• Focus on your relationship with God: Use disappointments as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and to seek His guidance and wisdom.
• Practice self-care: Take care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and seek support from friends, family, or a therapist if needed.
• Pray and seek guidance: Pray for guidance and wisdom, and seek counsel from trusted friends, family, or a spiritual leader.
Preparing Yourself Through Prayer
As you wait for God's timing, it's essential to prepare yourself through prayer. Here are a few prayer points to consider:
• Pray for patience and trust: Ask God to help you trust in His sovereignty and to give you patience as you wait for His timing.
• Pray for clarity and discernment: Ask God to give you clarity and discernment as you seek to understand His plans and purposes for your life.
• Pray for emotional healing: Ask God to heal any emotional wounds or scars that may be hindering your ability to trust Him or to receive love from others.
• Pray for spiritual growth: Ask God to help you grow spiritually, and to give you a deeper understanding of His love and character.
Conclusion
Disappointments can be a difficult and painful experience, but they serve a greater purpose in God's plan. As you face disappointments in your pursuit of love and relationships, remember to trust in God's sovereignty, don't settle for less, focus on your relationship with God, practice self.