by David Brenneman
Life Principle #20 "Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice."
We are going to face innumerable disappointments in life. What we do with them makes all the difference in the our world. Note that I didn't say "in the world" but rather "in our world".
We have a choice to either see the outcome of a disappointment as a sovereign choice by Jesus Christ or see it in its negative sense.
You just have to read through Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers to see how an obstinate people, being directed by the preincarnate Lord Jesus Christ, constantly chose discouragement rather than to trust in His Word about taking care of them.
We have a choice to face the disappointments as either a good thing or a bad thing.
To say the least, 10 months of being unemployed, sort of presented me with 10 months of disappointments that could have turned to discouragement in a moment.
I certainly was disappointed by many things related to being unemployed. I was disappointed that the truth if why I was let go wasn't being said. I was disappointed in the broken friendships that should have weathered this. I was disappointed in the silence from potential employers. I was disappointed at the daily spending of hours scouring websites for possible positions with nothing to show for it.
I had plenty of reasons to be disappointed...yet my choice was to trust in my Savior to provide for us during that time and to trust that there would indeed be a job that He says is suitable for me.
There were many people who were inclined to offer their opinions on what I should or shouldn't do. Many with good intentions but who weren't being helpful. As I told as many as world hear it: my Savior holds all the keys. Until He gave me keys to the door of opportunity that I was to go through...I wasn't going to be opening any doors.
Month upon month this went on, and indeed my God was faithful. We never went without. All the bills each month got paid. We had an ample supply of food from friends, family and food pantries.
The choice was ever present to give in to discouragement. I purposed to stand firm, as the Scriptures told me, in the promises of God in Christ Jesus to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. I further purposed to stay committed to being in the Word daily as I was formerly before being let go. Jesus promised to take care of our needs. Standing on that promise was next.
We can choose to go in circles in our own understanding or we can choose to do what we're given to be doing each day by the Spirit of God.
Indeed every single day without fail the Spirit had directed me to be doing something either at home or wherever He sent me.
I also refused to budge on my evening studies. Refused to not write whatever He wanted me to for this blog.
My hope is and will be in the promises of my Savior and my God.
While yes there's quite a few "I's" in the material you've read today, these are in the right context. They point people to the source of why discouragement didn't come.
Was reading through my journal to see that it seems that my various attempts at hiring in where I am blessed to be now were in the month of April over the years. Reading about what I wrote of those rejections.
You can either run to discouragement or run to Jesus.
You cannot do both.
I love the old hymn "Standing on the Promises".
"Standing on the promises of Christ, my King! Through eternal ages let His praises ring. "Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God."
- Russell Kelso Carter 1886
While wallowing in despair is the quick and easy way...run to the Father instead. Fall into His grace and mercy instead.
I'll leave you today with this by Cody Carnes "Run to the Father" (c)2020.
I've carried a burden
For too long on my own
I wasn't created
To bear it alone
I hear Your invitation
To let it all go
Yeah, I see it now
I'm laying it down
And I know that I need You
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
Oh, oh, oh
You saw my condition
Had a plan from the start
Your Son for redemption
The price for my heart
And I don't have a context
For that kind of love
I don't understand
I can't comprehend
All I know is I need You
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
Oh, oh
Again and again
And again and again
Oh, oh (oh)
My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath
Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death
And I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
And I know I need You now
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
And my heart found a surgeon
My soul found a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
Oh, oh
Again and again
And again and again
Oh, oh, oh
Again and again
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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