Midweek Encouragement - "Disappointments are Inevitable; Discouragement is a Choice”

"Disappointments are Inevitable; Discouragement is a Choice”

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV

         Life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it should. In fact, it rarely does. If you’re like most people, your hopes and expectations almost always exceed your reality. Opportunities you were counting on don’t turn out the way you thought they would. People you thought you could depend on end up letting you down. Even the plans and expectations you designed for yourself are often frustrated. It’s all very disappointing.

         What hope do you have? What opportunities, relationships, or situations are you reaching for now? What are you asking God to make a reality for you? There’s nothing wrong with having hopes and dreams. They’re motivators that help inspire us to do our best. But the harder you work to fulfill your hopes and dreams, the greater your potential for disappointment if they don’t come true.

         During those times of disillusionment, will you allow your disappointment to dishearten you? Will you allow them to impede you from becoming everything God created you to be? Or will you rise up, learn from those setbacks, and move on? The decision is yours, so choose wisely.

         Habakkuk pleaded for God to discipline the wickedness of his fellow citizens, but was discouraged when he discovered that judgment would come in the form of a Babylonian invasion. Yet, even though Habakkuk didn’t understand God’s ways, he still trusted in God’s wisdom. “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength” (Habakkuk 3:18-19). That’s what you must do well, too, my friend, even when God’s answer to your prayers isn’t what you were hoping for. Trust Him, because He knows exactly what He’s doing.

         Take a few minutes and read Psalm 73:1-12. There the psalmist decided to praise God no matter how disappointed he had become. He chose NOT to be discouraged because God was still FOR HIM, not against him.

         How are you responding to the disappointments that have come to you? Are you angry, frustrated, and disheartened? Or are you saying, “Lord, I may not know why You allowed this, but I trust You, knowing that Your best for my life is still ahead”? Whenever you face disappointments, remember that your situation is in God’s hand and under His sovereign control. Meditate on the fact that He loves you unconditionally and is providing His very best for you. Recall the blessings He’s already given you. No matter what disappointments come, use them as stepping stones to greater faith.

Chose joy today, even in the midst of disappointments!

Pastor Dale

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this email with anyone you choose. And if for some reason you'd like to stop receiving PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send me an email (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.