Disappointed with God

Chuckle: "If you saw a lawyer and an IRS agent drowning and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the newspaper?"

Quote: "The circumstances of a saint's life are ordained by God. . . All our circumstances are in the hand of God, therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in." --Oswald Chambers

DISAPPOINTED WITH GOD

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:29 NLT).

Let's face it, life is full of disappointments. Sometimes we are even disappointed with God because He doesn't do as we expect Him to do, want Him to do, or think He should do. When it comes to disappointment with God, please remember that God does not conduct Himself by our standards, but rather by what is best for us as He carries out His plan for our lives. God says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8 NIV). We should, however, bring our disappointments to God in prayer and be honest with Him. After all, He knows our thoughts anyway, so there's no point in trying to hide them.

You may not always understand why God allows pain to come into your life, but consider that God may be trying to teach you and work his power through you in those circumstances. When you are disappointed with God, it's a good idea to ask God: "Lord, what are you trying to teach me through this experience?"

In our disappointments, it's important that we move toward God, not away from Him. Getting angry with God and running from the very one who can help you through your pain is not the way of the spiritually wise. "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you" (Psalm 63:1 NLT). Listen to and trust God, even when it seems to make no sense.

You can reduce, or eliminate, disappointment with God by putting him first in your life. When we make self all important, we are setting ourselves up for God to disappoint us. But when He is first, our goal is to please Him, not ourselves. Then it becomes much easier for us to understand God's ways and his intentions. "As the Scriptures express it, 'I am placing a stone in Jerusalem, a chosen cornerstone, and anyone who believes in him will never be disappointed'" (I Peter 2:6 NLT).

To believe in Christ means to have faith in Him, to trust Him, and commit our lives to Him. As we place our complete trust in the Lord, our expectations of Him will change. As our Creator, He knows what is best for us and we can learn from Him as He reveals to us His master-plans for our lives. "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you" (Psalm 55:22 NLT).

Love, Jerry & Dotse