DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT DISCOURAGED
Introduction
Frequently, employers will ask prospective employees what their biggest
disappointment in life has been. The question probably gives employers a hint about
how these prospective employees handle times of stress and hardships in life. We all
face disappointments in life. Things will never go our way all the time. The question is
how do we handle disappointments? Do they cause us to lose confidence in ourselves,
becoming dishearten and less hopeful? In other words, do we become discouraged
when experiencing disappointments? Or do we bounce back and keep on going?
How can we combat disappointments without becoming discouraged?
In our passage, John the Baptist sent some of his followers to Jesus, asking the
question, "Are you the one to come, or are we to seek another?" John was disappointed
in Jesus. He had proclaimed the coming of Jesus by imploring all to repent of their
sins. He had told of this one who would be greater than him. He had baptized Jesus in
the Jordan, signifying the beginning of his Christ's ministry. Almost from birth, John
received his commission. However, now he finds himself in prison, sent there by Herod
after Herod had married his brother's wife, and probably soon be sentenced to death.
No wonder John is disappointed! Why Jesus hasn't even visited him in prison!.
John became disappointed, perhaps, when he misunderstood the purpose of Jesus, the
Messiah. The hope of the Jewish people was for a king, the Messiah who would cast off
the chains of Roman dominion and usher in a time of peace and hope. We do not know
if John too had this misinterpretation of Jesus' ministry. However, now Jesus
encourages John by telling him of his true mission to earth. He told John that " the
blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them".
John was disappointed, but Jesus encouraged him.
We can often become discouraged when we do not understand the workings of God in
our lives.
I WE ARE NOT DISCOURAGED WHEN DISAPPOINTED IF WE DISCOVER THE PURPOSE
OF GOD.
Many people become Christians and become disappointed because they do not know
God's purpose for them. They treat God like a vending machine and become
disappointed when God does not give them what they want. They pray for a promotion
on the job, and when it does not come, they get disappointed with God. A childless
couple prays for a baby, and when the baby does not come, they become disappointed
with God. They get in a prayer line at church, praying for a new car, and when the car
does not show up in their garage, they become disappointed with God. They pray for a
bigger house, and when they do not move in next week, they become disappointed with
God. They become disappointed when they fail to understand that God has promised to
give us what we need, not necessarily what we want.They fail to understand that God
wants them to love him with all their hearts and souls. Mark 12:30.
They fail to understand that God answers our prayers according to his purpose for our
lives. They will not be disappointed with God when they allow God to work his will in
their lives.
In my retirement, I am involved with a chat ministry sponsored by a Christian
organization. I asked one of the people I was chatting with if she had accepted Christ as
her Savior. She replied, "Oh, I did that, but it didn't work." I answered,"What didn't work?"
Evidentialy, she expected God to act as her Santa Claus, giving her whatever she asked.
However, God is not an errand boy, giving you whatever is the latest whim on your mind.
God does answer prayer, but according to his time and according to his will.
Arthur Blessit, famous for going around the world with a 12 foot cross on his shoulders,
says he is disappointed when people do not respond to his invitation to salvation, but he
is not discouraged because he knows God's purpose for him is to present the gospel.
Many pastors become disappointed because their churches do not grow and become
mega churches like the one cross town. However, they should not be discouraged if they
are preaching to the people God wants them to right where they are.
Joseph must have been disappointed with his brothers when they sold him into captivity
in Egypt. However, years later when the whole family was in Egypt, Joseph told them
what they did to him was made for evil, but God made it for good.
At times we will become disappointed, but not discouraged when we are doing God's
purpose for our lives.
Here on some verses on God's purpose for our lives:
a.Apart from God we can do nothing. John15:5
b.God will supply all of our needs Philippians 4:19
c.Understand what the will of God is. Ephesians 5:17
d.Be content with what you have. Hebrews 13:5
II WE ARE NOT DISCOURAGED WHEN DISAPPOINTED IF WE DISCERN THE PRESENCE
OF GOD.
Disappointments come to us in our relations with others. A spouse dies; a marriage
fails; a girl friend or boy friend rejects us. We have difficulty relating to groups and feel
rejected and disappointed. In Jacob's experience, he had to flee from his home to
escape the wrath of his brother, Esau. He must have felt disappointment as he left home
to go to a strange place. He traveled to a place called Bethel, where he fell asleep.He
dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels descending and ascending.
Suddenly, God stood before him saying, "I am with you". When he woke up, he had such
a strange feeling of the presence of the Lord that he cried out, "Surely the Lord is in this
place." Although we may feel disappointed by feeling alone, we need not be
discouraged because God is with us.
Emotional abandonment is a common problem today and can be experienced even by
married people. There are ways of coping with it, but one solution is resting in the
presence of the Lord. How many people in the lonely hours of the night have
encouraged themselves by repeating the 23rd Psalm, saying "Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil for thou art with me.?"
Here are other verses on the presence of God:
a.He is an Advocate forever. John 14:16
b.He is with us always. Matthew 28:20
c.Call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6
d.He will never forsake us. Hebrews 13:5
III WE ARE NOT DISCOURAGED WHEN DISAPPOINTED IF WE DEPEND ON THE POWER
OF GOD
One of the most famous verses in the Bible dealing with depending on God's power and
strength is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul says," But he (God) said to me, "My
grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness," So, I will boast all the
more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Few agree on what Paul was battling against, but all can agree he was disappointed,
whether it was a physical ailment, some trouble in the church, or whatever it was.
However, Paul refused to become discouraged because the power of God was working
for him.
One of the most disappointing experiences in life is a chronic illness for which there is
no cure. I know, because I had a wife that suffered with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. We
prayed and prayed, but received no results. Finally, we let go and let God's will be done
Anne-Marie Montgomery, bed-ridden with pain, writes in an article called "When Pain
Persists:
"One day I was talking to God about how frustrated this made me and I sensed his Spirit
saying, 'I always give the strength to do what I want you to do. But are you willing to do
only what I want if all I want from you is that you lie in that bed and enjoy a relationship
with me, would you do it?'
At first she said no, but later she writes, " Often, through the years all He did ask me to
do was to lie in bed and enjoy him. In those times of rest, I discovered the comfort and
strength that comes from focusing my whole heart on His beauty and the beauty of the
eternity He offers."
Imagine the disappointment and the frustration of being in pain and confined to a bed!
However, like Paul she discovered that God's grace and strength was sufficient for her.
Here are some other verses on God's power:
a. Be strong in his power. Ephesians 6:10
b.Power belongs to God. Psalm 62:11
c. Live by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 13:4
d. A spirit of power. 2 Timothy 1:7
CONCLUSION: Disappointments come at any time and in many ways, but
disappointments decrease under God's purpose, presence, and power.
Tim Challies, a blogger, author, and book reviewer, writes about the hymn, God moves in
Mysterious Ways, by William Cowper. It is one of the greatest hymns written about
disappointments and discouragements.
"We cannot yet claim to know all the mysteries of God's plan for William Cowper's life.
In time, as Cowper himself says, God will make plain his bright designs. But until then
we can praise God for one of the fruits that is already evident--this hymn. Only he knows
how many saints have had their faith sustained amidst storms and sorrows by these
words."
God plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a smiling providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain
Challenge: How can you handle discouragements without becoming discouraged?
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