When God Disappoints
Philippians 4:19 God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Life does not always go according to my plan. God does not always answer prayer exactly as I hope. Sometimes, God disappoints. What do I do with my faith when I feel God has let me down?
My response depends largely on my perspective and level of maturity. In my immaturity and lack of faith, I have used today’s passage to prosecute God. You promised you would give me everything I need. You have failed me. Why? Do you not care? Are you even real? Why should I follow you?
In my continued addiction to self, my perspective is limited to a world that revolves around me. I see my temporal preferences as my absolute needs. God though, has a radically different perspective regarding my ultimate, eternal needs.
The book of Hebrews describes how some Christians were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword (Heb. 11:37). Was God’s promise from today’s passage not for them? Or, does this passage mean something other my immature faith takes it to mean? Did God abandon those who met with violent ends or did they, in eternity, receive exactly what they needed?
This is a difficult perspective for me as it requires a faith that looks beyond my temporal, fleshly desires. This perspective requires me to look to the greater reality of my spirit life. That which I may need according to God may have very little to do with what I want or think I need.
It is only in choosing the perspective of faith, keeping my eyes on God, that I am able to accept that God always gives me exactly what I need. It is only in faith that I can know contentment and joy despite life’s disappointments.
Faith is not hoping that God will make everything turn out as I planned. Faith is following God, particularly when life does not go according to my plan.
I have had a few people ask about how to share the blog on Facebook. As I am off Facebook, I feel a little hypocritical asking you to share it, but I also appreciate the effort. I think the easiest way to share is to copy the link from the blog site from any given day (go to www.theseedsofthespirit.com to get today’s address) and paste it in a FB post of your own. Thank you for the continues support! If anyone else has better directions to share it, please comment.
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Hey Scott.
I have been considering where Gods talks about, not causing your brother to stumble.
I have have a few glasses of wine as of late. In a lot of ways, it has been freeing. The law of oh I can’t drink had become very oppressive. I do not want to drink like I was, and feel like I am able to stop. And that alcohol does not control me.
The guys in AA here have told me I don’t have that much power to make some one drink. I get that we are each responsible for what we do. But don’t people think things like well Joe can have a drink I bet I can. If they think that have I caused them to stumble?
AA has been very helpful for me. I am thankful for it.
Just some thoughts I have had.
Love ya. Thanks for serving!
I am by no means an expert so you can take or leave what ever I say. I have a couple of questions for you. 1 what kind of drinker were you? The big book talks about the the different types. 2 have you dealt with the reasons why you drank the way you did before by working the steps and are you continuing to work the steps? The steps are for everyone not just the alcoholic and addict. Many years ago I would have a drink because I enjoyed it but for many years now it became a way of escaping life and I believe that is when it became a issue. Alcohol wasn’t the problem it was how I dealt with the problems and that is wear the steps come in. And as far as causing my brother to stumble. I have a problem when people feel they can’t drink around me because alcohol is my problem. It is my choice weather or not I drink no one can make me. Today I chose not to.
We are sad you are off Facebook. But of course can follow you here and will! Would love to start attending your Sunday meetings if you are having them. Throw me an email at gwennyl@msn.com.
Thanks for all your love and inspiration Scott.
Gwen and Jay