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About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman Dealing
With Disappointment A long-time friend has
often told me that relationships are fragile, to which I certainly agree.
I would only add that all of life is fragile, and with fragility
often comes disappointment and discouragement.
It's all par for the course of life in this Age of Entropy where
all things, even with careful maintenance, will decay and die.
It's our ever-present reality since the events we read about in
Genesis 3, and despite some saying differently, the Cross of Christ did
not nullify this reality in our lives.
The older I get the more
I realize that not all of our hopes, aspirations, expectations and plans
come to fruition. That is just
another of life's realities. We
cannot stop everything that causes failed aspirations, but we can minimize
their disabling effects on our lives.
Consider the apostle
Paul, a powerful and godly man. He
experienced many disappointing, even depressing struggles in his life.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:8. "We do not want you
to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced
in the province of The words "beyond
our ability to endure" tell me that the stressful struggles Paul and
his friends experienced could not be overcome or minimized solely by human
effort or ability. The words
"we despaired of life itself" suggest that Paul and his
co-workers actually felt like dying at times.
It was only God's call on their lives and His divine ability given
to them to endure that kept them pressing on with life.
Read Philippians 3:14. "I press
on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus." Despite the discouraging
disappointments, Paul had a measure of contentment.
Philippians 4:11 reads: "I am not saying
this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances." Paul had a rough life
after meeting Jesus. It was
not come to Jesus and live happily ever after.
It was come to Jesus and suffer (Acts 9:15 - 16).
The suffering ended when a Roman soldier's sword sliced his head
from his shoulders. Did Paul
give up on Jesus in a moment of depression as that sword approached his
neck? I doubt it.
He viewed death as a gain in life (Philippians 1:21).
I believe Paul's martyrdom was his greatest testimony for Jesus.
It could have easily led the Roman soldier to Jesus.
Suffering can be productive. So how do I deal with
disappointment? I sure don't
feel sorry for myself. Like
everyone else, I have had my share of disappointments.
I admit things beyond my control, and even within
my control, can hinder hope from being realized. I also admit that not all aspirations are realistic, and that's not
a lack of faith on my part.
I accept the fact that
disappointing situations are par for the post Genesis 3 course of life.
I like how Don Henley of the Eagles rock band expressed this
sentiment in his song "The Cost Of Living" found on his 2015 Cass Like Paul, I can find a
measure of contentment in the midst of the discouraging mess.
The presence of the Spirit of Jesus within me provides me some
comfort and contentment. When
needed, His presence is as real to me as the presence of a person sitting
beside me, and that helps me deal with disappointment.
Scripture
References (NIV) Acts 9:15 - 16 "But the Lord said
to Ananias, 'Go! This man [Paul] is my chosen
instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the
people of Philippians1:21 "For to me, to live
is Christ and to die is gain."
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