Overcoming Dissapointment

[ddc101]

I thought I would share this thought as I am currently working on a bible study concerning it.
For years a certain something was a hinderance to my spiritual growth.It had the complete victory over me in the area it sat.
It was a stronghold in my life.I could overcome anyother area but
this one it seemed.It was an area where I faced a dissapointment daily.I knew that God knew about it and could not see how it could ever be reconciled or erased or redone.
It made me angry and bitter.Not that I am or was an angry or bitter person but when I got to thinking about this it just ate my lunch.But as time went on God rearranged my life and took this thing that was causing the uproar in my life and killed it.Then he proceeded to take complete authority over the area and delivered me from the oppression of it.
Have you ever been so dissapointed about something that it caused you to fail in an area?

[ddc101]

I wonder if this is easily admitted?

[drummerboy_dave]

Ddc, I notice the effort you made, to carefully leave out, many of the details of your testimony. I understand the desire for privacy, and am not criticizing you.

Instead, it strengthens the point. Admitting our faults, is indeed, a daunting task.

The bible says, that every man knows the plague of his own heart. I believe, that it is the work of God, to make every man aware of his own heart's condition. It is then, up to each man to correct his own heart, following the guidence of God and His word.

When we are obedient and faithful to that task, we are not complete. Not at all. Rather, God goes to work on us again, showing us another fault, we need to prepare.

You stated, "But as time went on God rearranged my life and took this thing that was causing the uproar in my life and killed it.Then he proceeded to take complete authority over the area and delivered me from the oppression of it."

I am not questioning whether The Lord did these things for you. But, I would wager, that this is a major understatement, of the blessing God provided on your behalf.

What I have usually found, is this: if I need to gain something, whether it be in the spiritual or natural, I have to be willing to put much effort into the faith God has given me, to achieve that which I am seeking. [Does this make sense outside of my mind?]

[foreverblessed]

Life can be disapointing in so many different ways. We become disapointed in ourselves, mates, children, or our life in general.

Finding the grace to find and appreciate, love and savor those things that are good in someone, something, or a situation, will always lift or remove disapointment.

I have learned I have to focus on the positive of that person or thing. When I do, nothing seems to be as bad as I thought. In fact, I can appreciate and celebrate the wonderful things that God has given or allowed in my life.

[ddc101]

Drummerboy Dave,
I did not actually leave out the details.The problem I had was dealing with a dissapointment.It matters not what the dissapointment is.What does matter is our learning to be a christian in spite of it.It was not a habit or vice just a situation in my own life concerning the will of God.I have found in the years of counseling people that some are able to overcome major dissapointment in victory while some seem to trip at every little hinderance.I like this scripture so very much:

Gal 6:9
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
(KJV)

II Th 3:13
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(KJV)

I knew the will of God in my life and regardless of the situation I could in no way fulfill it with a bitterness in any area.Its like trying to run a race crippled.There would have been no way I could have finished.lv sis.c

[drummerboy_dave]

Ok then.

[ddc101]

So you see Drummerboy I was headed for hell on the pew of an apostolic church because of the root of bitterness growing in my heart.And a root does not stay stagnant.Any crevice it can find in a foundation it will creep into.lv sis.c

[ThirdGeneration]

Ddc- I think disappointment with God is perhaps the #1 reason for people rejecting God. It is my understanding that is EXACTLY why the Jews rejected the claims of Jesus.

Consider that Jesus came riding into Jerusalem to joyous praises of the people only to have Barabas's name shouted out by the people when they could have a prisoner released.

Why was that? Why did they excitedly create a fanfare over his arrival only to turn their back on him within days?

I believe the reason was because it began to sink in that Jesus had written on the back of colt instead of a stallion. The colt represented peace, whereas a stallion would have indicated a king that was going to lead the Jewish nation to victory over Rome.

The Jews were looking for a Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule; not the Messiah that came. Of course we can see the big picture today and realize that Jesus came so that whosever will, might have life.....

God's love reached out to all the world and not just the "natural" children of Abraham. We were blessed because of the big picture that they could not yet see or comprehend.

And so it is with us. When we are disappointed with the God, it is because we cannot see or comprehend the big picture.

But God's got it all under control and the issue then becomes one of trust. Can we trust that God can run the universe without following our preconceived ideas of what should be?

Can we trust God? That is the question that a disappointed heart must always grapple with. The answer to that question is at the heart of our walk with God.

Bitterness cannot coexist when with recognition that God is in control and he doesn't need our input. Of course this is always easier said than done....

[ddc101]

I agree Sis.Third in fact i read a book years ago that spoke of the very thing you have posted.It was called Hidden Rift with God.
It was so timely for me then.But in my personal case I could not see that the problem was with God.All I could see was a poor life choice that would affect me fulfilling my dreams in God.It was almost unbearable.Now I am standing on the grave of my enemy and laughing.lv sis.c

[Sandy]

I personally believe everyone has to deal with roots of bitterness in some way or another towards other people anyway, unless we live on a desert island with no one else around. That is if everyone was truthful about it. Of course, these things are not always seen by others even when they do take root and grow in that ones life, unless we discern it. And since these are usually caused by what we view others doing to us that hurts us in some way or another, whether mentally or physically, we often feel like the victim, and therefore decide sometimes to wallow in our own self pity, which is dangerous do to. Because while the other person may have been wrong in what they did, we suddenly are in error too before the Lord because of doing this. Because these roots will grow if not stopped, into trees of hatred and which is also the sin of murder. Yet often nobody sees them because they are conditions of the heart that can go for year undetected. If I sound like I have had experience in this area, you would be right I have. But if you listen to others, you will find that this actually may be a very prevalent problem with many believers. Maybe because Jesus is the only one that is able to cleanse these type of heart issues from within. And He is also the only one that can keep us clean after we have been delivered from these things.

I personally have found that He is faithful to do so though, if we but ask, along with obeying what Paul wrote in 2nd Cor. 10:4-5, and asking Him to replace this with His agape (love). Which IMO actually heals that wound in the heart that has caused this bitterness in the first place.

DDC, this IMHO is a much needed subject that needs to be shared in the body. And then how to keep ourselves in His perfect will once He has done performed this healing within us.

And yes, it is a miracle to be healed of this.

It is also true, I sincerely believe, that those that have never been baptized into or in His name cannot be healed until they are abiding in Him either, I do not believe, whether they are baptized in His Spirit or not. And I believe that is because while they have a new Spirit, they have not yet been cleansed within their soul yet, which I consider is where the heart of man is, at least according to the definitions of each of these three words in the Greek, in relation to where they are. Even though there seems to be a distinct similarity to the spirit and soul, they are IMO not the same, but are meant to be one in Him none the less, which you can see if you consider the OT temple comparing the Holy Place and Holy of Holies to what these two represent within man as that temple today with the vail rent, making these two one because of this renting of the vail.

And since bitterness resides in the heart or soul, it has to be first made whole by the Lord, then cleansed and changed, which is probably a process as we grow in Him.

I personally have found that I cannot deliver myself from these when they try to take root, but have found that God can and will by faith, if we ask Him to.

[ThirdGeneration]

Sandy- I heard tell of a horrendous experience a woman had that was brutally victimized by two men and left for dead. The doctors agreed that her body would mend, but they questioned rather she would ever be emotionally whole again.

Thus, a psychiatrist was dumbfounded when she told him that she forgave the men who had hurt her. She explained that she had no choice about the first few hours of her life they stole from her, but she was not going to let them steal another day of her life.

And so it seems to me that forgiveness is not for the benefit of the person who hurts one, but rather, it is actually for the benefit of the one that does the forgiving. No wonder Jesus told us to forgive seven times seventy times and to pray for those that despitefully use you.

Sandy, you rightly point out that God can cleanse our hearts with agape love. Perhaps that is why the Scripture says love covers a multitude of sin.

[ThirdGeneration]

Ddc- You have mentioned before about the silence of Adam.... You wondered aloud how things might have been different if Adam would have ran to God on Eve's behalf instead of compounding the sin.

Likewise, I have always wondered what might have happened if Adam and Eve would have run to God when they realized what they had done, instead of trying to hide from him.

I think over and over again, the Scripture is full of those that made mistakes; or at the very least; did not make the best choices....

All of Abraham's choices were not perfect. And Moses messed up on more than one occasion.

Joseph foolishly flaunted his dream in front of his brothers. David committed adultery and murder.

Peter got scared when he got out of the boat, fell asleep in the garden and later denied Jesus. But they all found grace in God's eyes.

This is in contrast to those that fell in the Bible and stayed down for the count. Grace could not cover what none asked for.

God uses imperfect vessels that recognize their limitations and press on anyway. And so it is with us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Amen?

[ddc101]

Sister Third you are preaching this am.I remember when we discussed Adam not interceeding for Eve.To me intercession is the ultimate form of love.So many women today are still looking for a relationship that makes them feel secure and protected.Adam left his God ordained role of protector and left Eve out in the cold with his attitude.He took up for himself.That is the one thing I am told that surfaced in a survey of those who backslide...selfishness.Satan was selfish when he decided he wanted glory for himself.And isn't it so true that when relationships break up because the other person wants to "Find themselves" etc? It all stems from a lack of submission to Gods will.Gods will for Adam and Eve was to obey the small rule he had for them.Instead they followed a lie and were damned.Satan planned the ultimate deception to gain authority over man.I can think of how many times I have heard this time referred to as the state of innocence.Innocent yes in that they were in a sinless state but not innocent in that they did not know right from wrong.
All a person has to do is know what they are to do and do it not and that to them is sin.It is as simple as that.
And speaking of dissapointments I wonder how many have had relationship dissapointments that drove them away from God.Adam sure did and also did Eve.The one thing that I personally can think of that I find joy in being married is to be able to rely on Bro.Cooper.But people will let us down because they are not as stable as God.He however will not let us down.lv sis.c

[Blest]

This one hits home. Even as I write this, I am struggling with a deep hurt inflicted by a close friend. My spirit has been bruised and my heart broken.

While determined to get the victory over the enemy who relentlessly hammers away at my core, with trials in every area of my life at the same time, the best I can manage in prayer at times, is simply calling on His Name.

The challenge has been to stay above the state of sin. In my thoughts, in dealing with the pain, in the depression that has been taunting me to submit.

I refuse to do the enemies bidding of seeking revenge, but rather, Lord, bless them. I refuse to air my plight around the church for sympathy's sake, but rather force a smile and keep my mouth shut.

History has taught me that there's a blessing on the other side of this. He said he wouldn't give me more than I can handle. And "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

-sigh-

Just want to be on the other side of this..........now!

Blest

[ddc101]

Sister Blest,
In reading your above post certain scriptures come to mind.
These are our examples:
1.One brother slays another.Then he even denys the responsibility and feels no sorrow at the loss.

Gen 4:8-9
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
(KJV)
Think of Jesus who gave all for people he loved and how he was treated.

Zech 13:6
6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
(KJV)
Then his friend who just a few hours ago had cut off a mans ear to protect him turns from him out of fear

Mark 14:70-71
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
(KJV)
He laid down his life and opened not his mouth.
Isa 53:7
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
(KJV)
He did not rant,rave and complain but freely gave and forgave
Acts 8:32-33
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
(KJV)
Twelve men followed him and look how many followed through
until the end

John 19:25-26
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
You are in good company.You are learning to know him not only in the power of his resurrection but in the fellowship of his suffering.lv sis.c

[Sandy]

Blest,

I can only tell you what works for me regarding these issues. And that is to speak over the situation, commianding it to come down in my mind in the name of Jesus, then asking Him to cover these feelings with His love, knowing that I cannot do it, but He is able. Then simply going on, believing that He will do as He promised.

I will also pray for you too, as I think I know a little of what you are feeling. But just know, He will do what you are unable to do to overcome in this, because this is your hearts desire.

Third and DDC, what you are sharing here about Adam and Eve is interesting thoughts I have never considered.

I do know it appears that Adam did know better, not even being decieved.

Also, what about what Eve said to the devil when tempted at first regarding not even touching that tree? She either concocted that in her mind,or else Adam added to what God told him, because God did tell Adam not to eat of it, but evidently did not tell Eve, at least according to what the scriptures tell us. Which means He left it up to Adam to instruct Eve on this issue evidently. Which seems to be why Adam sinned blatantly when he ate of that tree, while Eve did so because she was decieved. At least according to what the scriptures tell us anyway.

This is a very interesting subject to me anyway. Because this is where it all began. Just as our deliverance begins with Jesus Christ.

[Sandy]

Oh, by the way Third, I agree with you about what you shared regarding love covering a multitude of sins.

In fact, as far as I can see, the love that God brings forth in our lives seems to be the fire that delivers us of all sin to begin with. And seems to be what draws others to Christ as well, when we heap coals of fire upon their heads.

Which is probably why we can do all sorts of wonderful things, but if we have not His love, it is all meaningless. We can also walk in the natural love of man too, but it is also meaningless as well in comparison.

Also one of the most interesting subject in the Bible too. And maybe the one most misunderstood by many as well. Many even believing they walk in this, when it is really their own love to begin with they are walking in for selfish reasons.

For instance, I can give my life for another, yet it really be for myself to be great in the eyes of others. This would be my own love IMO. Whereas if I give my life for another, because of God bringing forth His love within me, His getting all of the glory, then that would be giving my life as a result of agape instead of phileo and etc. A very fine line between the two huh? And perhaps sometimes even difficult to distinguish always as well?

[ddc101]

Hi Sandy,
Women like to feel protected.When we have to do everything ourselves we kind of lose something that God put there for a reason.We lose the softness.I have seen women on their own having to fulfill the role of both parents and struggling to take care of the needs of everyone.In the end they feel they have nothing left to give themselves but to fall into the bed exhaused.
I know this is not the case for everyone but most I have come into contact with who have had to do both jobs for years.The difference for Holy Ghost filled women is that the Lord is their husband and he goes the extra mile.Adam did not fulfill Gods plan for him concerning his wife.He let her down by not being the example.Instead he exhibited the a selfish spirit.That is why the curse God put on him forced him into a leadership postion.Eve was not made to submit just to punish her disobedience but to put the family leadership responsibility right back on Adam.
Many people face great disapointment in life when their mate does not do what God has called them to do or be what he has called them to be.lv sis.c

[Blest]

Thank you for the encouraging words. Sometimes it just helps to know someone cares......

ddc - with all that has come down this past week, and it being Resurrection Sunday, I couldn't help but think of Christ's suffering. What I didn't remember, until you mentioned it, was the rest of the story: ".....the fellowship of His suffering".
I needed to be reminded of that, thanks.

Blest

[ddc101]

God bless you sister.I want to share that a few years ago I was in the altar in prayer and was praying just that...Lord I know you in the power of your resurrection.Let me know you in the fellowship of your suffering.Right then and there I had a vision of two large stakes being driven through my wrists and I heard the clank of the hammer as they went in.I screamed when it happened.The next thing I knew my life went crazy and horrible hurtful things began to happen to me.This all changed me to a much better person with alot more compassion for humanity.Pain whether it be physical or spiritual or emotional changes you.Thankfully it was Holy Ghost ordained.lv sis.c

[Blest]

Another thing, about two weeks ago Focus on the Family had a guest speaker - Dr. Kendall, who was talking about 'Finding True Forgiveness', using Joseph as an example.

It was such a great message I took notes, and ordered the tape and his book. Very timely, God knows exactly what we need, and when.

Blest

[straitway]

Disappointments are a part of life. How we face them determine the difference between strength and weakness.

I have never been a silver lining type of person.

That is why it really strikes home to me when I encounter someone who is. That is certainly what the apostle Paul is in the first chapter of Philippians. Paul was in prison in this chapter. For the first time Paul now speaks about that imprisonment. Why did it happen? Is there a silver lining to this dark cloud in his life? You know this is a perfect setup for disappointment!

When Paul got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught the salvation that is only through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is not a prisoner in Rome because he is a criminal. He is in prison on account of his stand for the Gospel.

The benefit to the other believers: emboldened by Paul’s example - others were taking up the challenge of sharing their faith with others.

The silver lining behind the darkest cloud: This is the one I find absolutely amazing - even in someone who was deliberately attempting to add to his misery - Paul rejoices

Shows the importance Paul placed upon the Gospel

But even more so - shows Paul lived what he preached about in Romans 8:28.

Now I don’t want to say that it is easy to have this kind of perspective. When you are going through a difficult time it is incredibly hard to have this kind of perspective. There are people who are going through or have gone through such incredible difficulties. There are those who have experienced the horror of cancer. There are those who have been abused and mistreated by others. There are those who have dark clouds in their lives that I can only begin to imagine. But there are two truths shown in the imprisonment of Paul that I want to grab hold of.

1 - God is good and he will do good through the trial you are now enduring.

2 - If you can get a glimpse of the bigger picture of God’s good work, it is possible to have joy even while you are in the middle of that difficulty and disappointment.

All will experince disappointments in life but only the spiritual will turn those disappointments into strength of character..... be one of those people!

[Sandy]

DDC those are excellent points, and probably very true too. It is very difficult to be both father and mother to your children. I was for a time, although not saved either. But still very difficult even though I was raising only girls at the time. And I do believer there is a difference between boys and girls too. But we can do all things thru Christ too I believe.

Wow on that vision though. I would scream too.

Straitway, I do not believe we in this country know what it is to really be persecuted in the way that some do. I pray we never have to, but if we do, I pray for His strength to do so, as I know I could never do it on my own without Him. For that matter, I cannot do very much on my own anyway. But isn't that why people in the world get involved in taking drugs and drinking & etc. to begin with. Because they cannot handle things without the Lord to begin with. Then we realize we cannot quit without Him once hooked on these things without Him delivering us. I know that was true in my case anyway.

I just cannot imagine living without God in my life. When Jesus came to the apostles in John chapter 6 and asked them would they leave him too along with the others there, and they said where would we go, because you have the words to eternal life. That is my story too.

Everything we do go thru, I really believe, has a purpose in our walk with the Lord I really believe, whether we understand that purpose totally or not. Even sickness. To me, faith is trusting God in all things, no matter what is going on, knowing that He is in control when you are His child. Paul had that kind of faith, as did many other saints in the OT as well as in the New. In fact it must have been more difficult for those OT saints than it is for the New, because they did not have God residing in them in the way we do.

[ddc101]

I want to say that dissapointments that cause us trials are not only relationship oriented.Sometimes we are praying for something and it does not come to pass.Or we can feel that everyone else is getting their prayers answered and we are still struggling.This can cause a person to get so cold that they do not pray.Its a trick of the devil.It many be true that your answers are slow in coming or that there are hinderances to them such as attitude etc.But God always answers....sometime he says no.
Its the accepting the no that is hard for our flesh at times.lv sis.c

[BroDane]

Sis Ddc,

I can relate to a root of Bitterness...A root can grow into a tree...

I have a little testimony about Forgiving and Being forgiven by God and How it can replace that Ole root...

http://www.apostolic.net/cafe/messages/23/2180.html

Scroll down to: I WAS IN BONDAGE AND ANGRY ALL THE TIME :realmad:

I am now complete, Baptized in Jesus name in 1995-96, That Ole root got plucked out forever! I am free in Jesus!!

[ronb]

How do you overcome dissapointment?
It will happen to all of us at some time or another. As surely as there is Sun, there will be rain.

You?

God Bless!

Ron:)