Mike’s Musings …
Disappointments are a Part of Life
No one enjoys disappointments. These are the things that break hearts and shatter dreams, to say nothing about the discouragement left in the wake of disappointment. Yet, we’ve all experienced them, and despite our best efforts to avoid them, these events are never timely. They can cause such emotional harm as to generate anger and sometimes hatred. When they arrive in such frequency as to be considered “packaged deals,” the afflicted can feel so defeated they simply give up in despair. Some have suggested it one of Satan’s greatest weapons, and perchance they are correct. When a child of God experiences disappointments without first increasing their faith that they could endure such an onslaught, then those disappointments weaken what is left of their faith, and they die – spiritually!
Some disappointments arise when the preceding expectations were too high. Remember expectations are the same as hopeful dreams. There are no assurances with expectations: they are simply desires blended with diligent preparations that when finished should bring forth the intended results. But with mankind, expectations are nothing more and nothing less than “properly prepared actions, with every hope of reaching the desired conclusion.” The problem is, man’s world is filled with uncertainties, and therefore, disappointments infiltrate the best-laid plans, and the result is sadness, frustration, discouragement – shattered dreams, and broken hearts!
For the Christian, such disappointments for his soul can be non-existent! The apostle John, in his first “general letter” explains the close relationship between God the Father and His children. In the concluding chapter, John writes, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5: 13) Read that again: note the PROMISE, the KNOWLEDGE the child of God has – “that [we] may know that [we] have eternal life”. Earlier, John wrote, “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. “(1 John 2:25) Therefore, the faithful child of God will never experience disappointment regarding his prepared and faithful enacted life of righteous service for God! While disappointments may arise throughout the journey, the result will never disappoint! Heaven eternal is God’s promise to His faithful children!
Isn’t it wonderful that through this journey of life, we children of God are nourished by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 – 23) which includes nine essential vitamins for the life of every Christian? I muse on how often and how much of this fruit we imbibe and how wonderful it is to know our journey for Heaven eternal is well within our reach!