Overcoming Disappointment - Part 2

Overcoming Disappointment

"As EPIC Conquerors we say “the battle is real, but the victory is assured.”

 Disappointments happen to everyone. What we hoped for, wanted to have happen, hoped would happen, expected to happen…didn’t.  Now what?

Mad, rage, angry, pout, pity party, curse up a storm, lash out, break or smash something, etc.

All human responses, all are temper tantrums we throw when things don’t turn out how WE wanted or perceived them to turn out because, after all, we should be exempt from trials, right?

Some disappointments happen as the result of actions from others and some from our own poor choices or decisions made.

Some disappointments are unrelated to anything we have control over, epidemics, economic downturns, overthrow of governments, earthquakes, accidents, windstorms, hail, unknowingly or unaware that we’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc.

Now that we’ve considered all of that excitement…how are we to respond as mature believers in Christ when trials, difficulties, opposition shows up at our doorstep?

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“You shall have,” what don’t we understand about that phrase.

Jesus is giving us a head’s up…life is messy here, on the earth, due to the sin nature prevalent on the planet.

BUT you and me…God’s kids…we are to be of good cheer for the story isn’t over because JESUS overcame the world.  He will bring us through, over or under the situation and out on the other side in victory.  We may experience sorrow, but not as the world does, for they have no hope.

That’s why as EPIC Conquerors we say “the battle is real, but the victory is assured.”

The apostle Paul, one of the most fruitful disciples in the Bible was not exempt from difficult times and experiences.

II Corinthians 1:8-12 "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

(9) Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, (unless seed dies it cannot release the “life” contained within to come forth)

(10) who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, (God never changes…same yesterday, today and forever)

(11) you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. (gift of victory, deliverance, help in time of need)

(12) For our boasting is this; the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.”  (I get to choose how I will conduct myself in every given situation)

3 things we can see from Paul’s experience:

1. Trust (faith) in God. He is for me and with me in this situation.
2. Support and undergird one another through prayer and relationship.
3. Conduct ourselves in the midst of the situation with the fruit of the Spirit not in carnality.

One of my favorite verses that comforts me in times of trial is in Habakkuk 3:17-18

“Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, (18) YET, I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!”

My takeaway…even when everything seems to be falling apart or is coming apart at the seams…YET, my posture will be…GOD IS STILL GOD. HE IS STILL WITH ME.

“But as for me, I will sing each morning about your power and mercy. For You have been my high tower of refuge, a place of safety in the day of my distress. O my Strength, to You I sing praises; for You are my high tower of safety, my God of mercy.” Psalm 59:16,17

“My protection and success comes from God alone, He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust Him all the time. Pour out your longings before Him, for He can help!” Psalms 62:7,8

“I will keep on expecting You to help me. I praise You more and more. I cannot count the times when You have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good You are, and of Your constant, daily care. I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that You alone are just & good.” Psalms 71:14-17

“But as for me, I get as close to Him as I can! I have chosen Him, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful ways He rescues me.” Psalms 73:28

“You have seen me tossing and turning through the night, You have collected all my tears and preserved them in Your bottle! You have recorded everyone in Your book. The very day I call for help, the tide of  the battle turns. My enemies flee!

This one thing, I know: God is for me! I am trusting God - oh, praise His promises! I am not afraid of anything mere man can do to me! Yes, praise His promises. I will surely do what I have promised Lord and thank You for Your help.” Psalms 56:8-11

What have I promised the Lord I would do?  Trust Him. Thank Him. Praise Him.

This one thing I know:  God is for me!

I am confident of this ONE THING:  God is for me!

 Victory is assured.

Judy Bauer

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