Disappointment, Day 2

I am a huge fan of the Olympics. Last night I was watching the women's gymnastic competition. Amazing athletes that have committed every piece of themselves to be perfect at what they do. When you see on one of their faces the disappointment of not winning the gold medal, you want to cry for them.

Failure to meet expectation. It happens to all of us. Someone disappoints us or we fall short of those expectations ourselves. It is even harder to deal with failing at the things we have set out to perfect in our own lives. There is not a solution that makes disappointment easier. In fact, I think the more heart and soul you put into something with hopes of success can hit the hardest when they don't work out as we plan.

Take the gymnast for example. She had performed to the peak of perfection but due to things out of her control she now holds the silver medal in her event. While you and I see the blessing in the silver, she sees the failure in not wearing the gold. Perspective has a lot to do with disappointment.

In Romans we are told we are hemmed in with troubles. Okay, that doesn't sound good. So, no matter how hard I try, will I fail, will people fail me? No, that isn't it. Sometimes though there are things in this world that will cause pain and disappointment. Although many of us like to think that we can control everything, we really can't. If you think for a moment that you can, I am thankful not to be hemmed in with you and your troubles. We are not suppose to dwell in our pain, we fight the good fight and learn the lessons of patience that becomes virtue. If you continue to attempt control, disappointment will become despair because nothing will ever meet your expectations. Dealing with disappointment in this life prepares us for the promises of God. With Him we will never be "shortchanged" but blessed generously by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:3-5 There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Heavenly Father, I praise your name for all that you are and the beauty of your majesty. I read your inspired words in Romans 5 this week and I am weak with the knowledge of your gift. Lord I find myself holding back from challenges and relationships because I don't want to feel the pain of disappointment. Lord, the next time I am given the chance to love a little stronger or try a little harder remind me that when the disappointment can be great that the gift is more amazing and greater then anything I could imagine. May I never store up my blessings but share them with those you wish to see you. ~Your precious Holy Name.
Please Continue to pray for Annemarie M this week.

Prayer Request: Hello, This Saturday a family, the Brewers, in our church lost their home to a house fire. They were not home when the fire started and they were not able to recover anything but 2 Bibles. They are a young family with 3 children, 6, 4 and 2 years of age. Today they are coming back to town to share with their children why they are not able to "go home". Please pray for them as they have lost everything they have ever worked for. They are thankful that they are safe and have each other. Praise God that our church has come through and that they may have a place to stay and temporary comforts, but the grief and the loss is hard. Please pray for them. If there is anything you would like to do or if you would like to encourage them, please forward on to womenofworship1@gmail.com and we will make sure to let them know. Mostly though, the prayers will be needed, so thank you in advance.