Disappointment

Just a short bit of encouragement that I've found this week and wanted to share.

So I just stepped out in faith this week into something I feel God is calling me to do. It took a lot of prayer on my part and on the part of friends and family who were praying for me, too. What was so interesting is, as I waffled back and forth, one of my friends reminded me of the story of Moses. Well, nothing like having your own words pushed right back in your face. Weeks ago, I’d written on that same story and here she was, reminding me of it. After listening to her words, I sat and thought, “Okay, Lord, I see what you’re saying. But where’s my bush? Moses had a burning bush, why can’t I? I mean, sure, I’ll step out and face my insecurities, if I just know that’s what you want.”

The thing is though, I’ve learned in my life that God doesn’t often speak to us quite as clearly as a burning bush. In fact, for me, I’ve begun to recognize God’s voice as just a quiet, gentle whispering to my spirit; so soft that it requires me to be absolutely still and silent to hear it. A trait – as those who know me – that is not natural for me, and one I find very hard to practice. But one that has continued to grow my faith and deepen my relationship with God.

Here’s the other thing I’ve recently realized. More often than not, I may know God’s voice is talking to me, but I don’t want to risk disappointment. I want to trust in God, trust what He’s saying, but I’m worried if I do, it won’t work out like I thought it would. But you know what? I’ve been confusing Life with God. Life disappoints us. People, situations, love, unfulfilled desires; Life, it disappoints, but - and get this into your very soul - God never does. AMEN!!Isn't that an amazing, comforting thought?

I mean, listen to David as he speaks for us: (just read this, I know I see myself in his words)

Psalm 25: 1-6 (Amplified Bible)
Unto You, O Lord, do I bring my life. O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.

Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercy and loving-kindness; for they have been ever from of old.

And here's what God says in return, when we do take that step and place our hope in Him:

“...Then you will know that I am the Lord, those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23)

I love that His Word not only shows us that we aren't the only one to struggle with placing our hope in Him, but that it also encourages us. We can put our hope in God. He assures us that we will not be disappointed!

So, go ahead and ask Him to teach you His way, or take the path that He has for you. He will not disappoint. Life will happen around us, we cannot escape the world we live in. Disappointment will come, and we will learn from it. But always, without fail, God’s tender mercy will carry us through. He will always be there to fight for us, to hold our hand, to love us unconditionally. He is constant. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End to each of our stories.

So, trust in Him. Believe in Him. Hope in Him. Every step you walk, I promise - and better yet, He promises - you will find Him there.