Tag Archives: sorrow

04/17/13

Words of Life: Unresolved Disappointment

Unresolved Disappointment

by Linda Godsey

 

I remember a time when someone disappointed me so deeply that I didn’t believe that life could ever be the same again. My heart also broke for others involved who were hurting that caused another whole level of pain. When I finally realized that I couldn’t physically or emotionally carry it any longer, I gave it to the Lord to carry it for me.

 

I was driving my car when a wave of emotion came over me that was overwhelming. I pulled to the side of the road, my body fell across the steering wheel of my car as I wept and cried out, “Jesus, help me! I am so disappointed – I bring that disappointment to you. I can’t carry it anymore!” And He took it, just as I asked him to. I felt the emotional pain lift from me and my body relaxed for the first time in days.

 

I’m sure you have experienced disappointment – we all have! Just as we have all experienced regrets that we wish we had the power to change. We’ve all thought, “If only” or “What if”.
Disappointment has been called the twin-sibling to regret. Regrets stem from our human nature to question the path our lives have taken because of the decisions we’ve made. Here is a helpful way to distinguish between regret and disappointment.

 

Regret focuses on the personal choices that contributed to the poor outcome.
Disappointment focuses on the outcome itself: such as failure, non-fulfillment, defeat or setback.

 

I challenge you to consider the “what ifs” and “If onlys” in your life? They will keep you stuck in the past until you deal with them. Does anything come to mind? Have you grieved those losses? Have you asked God to carry the pain? Have you asked God to show you how he sees your regret and disappointment? Jeremiah 33:3 says,“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

 

Let God show you his heavenly panoramic perspective of what you are going through. I think you will be amazed!

 

Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows (This represents both physical and emotional sickness and pain). Isaiah 53:4

 

Linda Godsey is the author of Letting Go

 

Charlene’s Source: LifeToday

 

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11/19/12

The Importance of Wisdom Revisited

     “And He said to the human race, “The fear of the LORD–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”   Job 28:28 NIV

 


This roller coaster ride on planet Earth is a temporary one. You get on the ride at birth and you get off the ride when you die. For those of us who believe in life after death, the way that we live out our time here determines whether we enjoy the ride and/or make the ride unbearable for ourselves and others around us. It determines whether we achieve Heaven or Hell. It determines whether we dwell in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

 

A New Heaven and a New Earth

 

 

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

 Revelation 21: 1-4

 

 As we see events unfolding around violent natural and man-made disasters,we are reminded that life is fragile. Nothing is permanent on this earth–all is subject to change.  The earth revolves day after day, and mankind hurries about doing what mankind loves to do most–learn and progress, yet this is not permanent; it can change. New ways of doing things emerge everyday, and unique, never-presented ideas are an everyday occurrence also. Searching for new methods and ideas is a good thing as long as it is in the area of  true progress–for to invent something new based on a proven standard has no merit of its own if the original invention is still highly functional. Why reinvent the wheel?

 

     Nothing that we do on this earth is going to stand forever. Landmarks crumble and fade away; civilizations rise and fall, and mankind still struggles on in the hope that the next era or the next invention is going to secure peace and prosperity for generation after generation to come. Each new government enters into existence with high ideals considered new and different from the former ruling state. They quickly discover that there is a reason why events unfold in a certain way. It is called lack of wisdom or poor foresight.

 

 

“For The LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

 

Proverbs 2:6


      Notably, because of both the human tendency to desire change, and the natural progression of life on earth as witnessed in natural disasters, everything has a season. This has been recorded throughout history and in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.

 

 

1 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

 

 

Nothing remains the same, especially in this 21st century that welcomes new innovations that come and go so rapidly. As an example, Windows 8© is now on board. Many people have not completely grasped Windows 7© yet. Each new technology eventually brings about the demise or retirement of the previous technology.  Planned obsolescence works. Vinyl records bowed out to the tune of eight track tapes to cassettes to CDs to Midis to MP3 players; VCR tapes gave way to DVDs of many varied types.  Now we are seeing 33 rpm records returning.

 

 

     Life is hurrying along so fast that it leaves us breathless and unsure whether to jump on board the new train or to remain on the old train.  I get the impression that this may not result in our own choice–life is hurrying each one of us along on a swift track that may become dangerous at any moment. It is so swift that we have forgotten how to pay attention to the important things, such as the state of our souls and spirits, as each new adventure rushes by. We get so caught up into what everyone else wants for us that we forget to think about what we want for ourselves. So here comes the question. Exactly what do  we want for ourselves? This is undeniably an individual thing. Everyone, from the time that they begin to perceive the way of the world, starts to weigh and evaluate what portion is most interesting and advantageous for them. Where do I fit in? Why am I here? What’s in it for me?

 

 

      It is your own attitude, perceptions, and choices that fix a value to your experiences. Even negative events are teachers. They help  you to avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. If you choose to learn from past mistakes you can make an effort to dodge those obvious pitfalls that make life hard to bear and which may have an everlasting influence on your future.

 

 

     The concept here is of using wisdom, which is knowledge gained through either your own experiences, or the experiences of others. Wisdom guides through understanding into application. When we speak of wisdom, we speak of making wise choices based on the direct observation or engagement, or the influence of those who have gone before us. Unwise choices can lead to destruction or death. At the very least,  unwise choices can cause us to have to suffer the painful consequences of our actions. Responsible people think and act responsibly.

 

 

     It can be frustrating to share your life experiences with someone in an attempt to help them to avoid some of life’s obvious traps–then have them declare that they would rather learn through their own mistakes. They are not wrong in this choice, they are simply opting to disregard the wisdom born of trial and pain that is meant to be shared as a witness to others.  Joy is also meant to be shared. We walk this journey in the company of others, and whatever we can do or say to make that load brighter and lighter will be beneficial.

 

 

     You are never alone in this journey through life. You did not come here alone, and you will not leave alone. Why is this? Each one of us is tied into each other’s existence as either family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. Everything that we say or do affects those around us even if we imagine that our actions influence no one but ourselves. It is possible to be alone physically or mentally while performing an action, yet it does affect others because it becomes a part of who you are. You carry that knowledge or revelation wherever you go, good or bad, and others are influenced by it.

 

 

     This is a generation that prides itself on being mentally and physically independent. That independence extends to all areas of life. Older mores and values are considered out-moded; new ways of thinking and doing things predominate. While mankind continues to seek and pursue avenues of life that are self-centered and not for the common good, we are faced with a growing disregard for what will help our neighbors to thrive and survive in a world that is shrinking every day and providing little hope for the masses.

 

 

     Do we have an individual right to have our own way in all things? I think not. Earth has many inhabitants and there is no room for one or two individuals to dictate to all the rest. We are all in this together. What is crucial is that we seek truth, for truth sets us free. The argument could be, “what is truth?” Truth is found in undeniable standards, methods, and ideologies that have stood the test of time as producers of  a happy-spirited people [if they have been willing to embrace that truth]. This truth manifests itself in a personal relationship with us all. GOD is Truth. Does this mean that every day in Christ is flooded with joy? Is there never a moment when our world seems threatened by all of the chaos around us? Absolutely not. The Christian walk can be painful. There are no guarantees found in the Word of GOD that state that sorrow, tragedy, loss, sickness, or death will not touch us. What we do find are scriptural passages that speak of a Savior who has sent The Comforter to walk with us throughout this earthly existence.

 

 

“And I will ask The Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever; The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him, nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”

                                                               

                                                           John 14:16  NIV

 

 

 To Be Continued…

 

 

All scripture quotes retrieved from Bible Gateway.com via the world wide web. 

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide

 

 

 

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2012-2013 Charlene Kirst
08/21/12

Psalm 42 A Psalm of The Clan of Korah

 

The Psalmist speaks and sings of intense internal longing. Exile is a sad place to be–primarily because its existence indicates the disregard of personal choice; which is a GOD-given gift. The Psalmist speaks of cool water, which is a refreshener, and the lack of it in his exile. Is he speaking of actual water? No. He is speaking of the River of GOD; the River of Life and Salvation. He is speaking of the lack of spiritual food, praise, and worship. In exile all of the things that you hold dear have been stripped away, leaving only the basics behind. The joys of life are denied you, the bitter cup is poured out daily.

The Psalmist speaks of the past and the assembly, where he “led them as they walked along. A happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to GOD”.

The Psalmist asks for a song at night; a prayer to GOD for deliverance. Oh, that we all would remember the GOD of our youth; the joy of our salvation. Put your trust in the GOD of Israel; the GOD of the Universe who framed the Heavens and the Earth; who sees his children as equals in His sight.

Praise ye the LORD.  Charlene

 

 Psalm 42

 

Good News Translation (GNT)

 

BOOK TWO

 

   ( Ps.42-Ps.42.72; )

 

The Prayer of Someone in Exile[a]

    
    As a deer longs for a stream of cool water,
      so I long for you, O God.
 2 I thirst for you, the living God.
      When can I go and worship in your presence?
 3 Day and night I cry,
      and tears are my only food;
   all the time my enemies ask me, 

 
         Where is your God? 

 

 4 My heart breaks when I remember the past,
      when I went with the crowds to the house of God
      and led them as they walked along,
      a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.
 5 Why am I so sad?
      Why am I so troubled?
   I will put my hope in God,
      and once again I will praise him,
      my Savior and my God.

 

 6-7Here in exile my heart is breaking,
      and so I turn my thoughts to him.
   He has sent waves of sorrow over my soul;
      chaos roars at me like a flood,
      like waterfalls thundering down to the Jordan
      from Mount Hermon and Mount Mizar.
 8 May the Lord show his constant love during the day,
      so that I may have a song at night,
      a prayer to the God of my life.

 

9 To God, my defender, I say, 

      
         Why have you forgotten me?
   Why must I go on suffering
      from the cruelty of my enemies?

 

 10 I am crushed by their insults,
      as they keep on asking me, 

      
         Where is your God?

 

 11 Why am I so sad?
      Why am I so troubled?
   I will put my hope in God,
      and once again I will praise him,
      my Savior and my God.

 

 

Footnotes:

  2. Psalm 42:1 HEBREW TITLE: A poem by the clan of Korah.

 

 

Good News Translation (GNT)

Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

09/18/10

Lead Me to the Rock/Joy Comes In the Morning

Psalm 61: 1-5 Living Bible      The Prayer of a Troubled Heart

          “O GOD, listen to me! Hear my prayer! For wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of Safety. For you are my refuge, a high tower where my enemies can never reach me. I shall live forever in your tabernacle–Oh, to be safe beneath the shelter of your wings! For you have heard my vows, O GOD, to praise you everyday, and you have given me the blessings you reserve for those who reverence your name”.

Psalm 30: 4  Living Bible         GOD’s Deliverance

          “Oh, sing to Him, you saints of His; give thanks to His Holy Name. His anger lasts a moment; His favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is Joy”.