We all face them. Job cuts, illness, death of a loved one, poor grades—you name it, we experience times of disappointment. But the Lord promises always to bring joy and peace no matter what we face. How do we know such promises? Through His Word and Spirit.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Disappointments
A nest of birds awaits their meal in vain because the cat killed the mama. A salmon slips from the grasp of a grizzly as the bear tries to assuage its hunger, building up fat reserves before hibernation. An eagle drops its meal into the water. A bear cub is left orphaned by a bullet to its mother’s heart. There are many tragedies and disappointments in nature.
They occur in our own lives as well. A tornado wipes out a family’s house and trees. A mother neglects her child because she has “things to do.” A parent abuses a child or spouse. A relative or friend rejects attempts to make amends or seek closeness. Promises are broken. Debts are unpaid. Illness, accident, or old age, betray the body and mind. Autumn colors, though bright and beautiful, precede the disappointment of perhaps another harsh winter.
It seems we can’t count on anything—or anyone—anymore. What happened to the good old days when things were simpler? When parents didn’t have to worry about their children being abducted? When doors could remain unlocked at night?
But bad things happened back then, too. Since Adam and Eve first walked away from God into sin, the world has been filled with betrayal, tragedy, disappointments, and rejection of one form or another for all of us. We sometimes feel that no one or nothing can be counted on.
But God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ—the most rejected of all, even rejected by His twelve closest friends. Out of pure love, Jesus accepted that rejection, along with unimaginable physical and mental pain and agony, so that we might be reconciled with God. He is the only one we can count on to give us total acceptance, closeness, security, peace, joy, and more. With Him there is no disappointment.
When we hurt because of tragedy or disappointment, we have no need to go anywhere other than to Him. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Lord, help us believe that the spiritual rest You provide will relieve us from our burdens and disappointments. Ease our broken hearts. Remove our worries and fears, our anguish and pain. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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