My 11 year old recently tried out for a flag football summer league. He is a phenomenal player and definitely excels on the field. He practiced prior to the try-out and was confident he would make it.
So he was shocked and utterly disappointed when he found out he didn’t make the team. We were all disappointed for him. Here he had done the work, practiced as much as he could, did all the right things to succeed and still he failed to make the team. It seems so unfair.
We have all been through disappointments, some much bigger than making a summer flag football league. We get disappointed because our expectations did not match up to our reality.
Recently, at work, I requested that I change my scheduled a bit to include a day I could work from home. My hope was to work from home and be able to get the kids off the bus. I was convinced my requested would be granted. I had it all planned out in my head. The company I work for is generous and place a high value on work-life balance (is there such a thing by the way? that’s for another post).
When my request was denied I, luckily, was not as shocked and disappointed as I thought I would be. Don’t get me wrong. I felt hurt and saddened by the decision. But a few days prior to submitting my request, I had prayed that God would bless my request and that it would be granted, if it be His Will. I prayed that it would go exactly as He willed it. So when I found out that I could not work from home, I was definitely disappointed, I might have even cried. But then I heard God’s gentle whisper in my heart saying “This is My will.” I am still not sure why this did not go as I had hoped but I am going to trust that since I placed it in my Father’s hands that He is guiding my steps.
I believe God sees our tomorrows. He knows exactly what will happen today, tomorrow and forever. And when disappointments and challenges comes our way, sometimes God is using those instances as a way for us to draw closer to Him. As Psalm 46:1 says “God is my shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
So when we are face with today’s disappointments, can we take a moment to pray and ask God what it is that He wants us to learn from these experiences? I am, slowly, learning to lean and trust in God. To know that He is always there.
I believe in what Luke says, that God knows everything about us. There is no thought He does not know, and no place we can hide from His presence. That brings such reassurance to me. The Bible is filled with many reminders of how special, important and loved you and I are to God. Here are some of my favorites. I hope you know that you are all these things and more.
-
You are anointed: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me…” – Luke 4:18.
-
You are Fearless: “For God gave me a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” – 2 Timothy 1:7. Live boldly and ask God to go before you so that all may go according to His will.
-
You are Joyful: “Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 12:7
-
You are Known: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” – John 10:14. He knows your name, He has counted all the hairs on your head!
-
You are Loved: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” – John 15:9
-
You are Equipped: “That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 12:17
-
You are Protected: “God will put His angels in charge of you to protect you where ever you go. ” Psalm 91:11
-
You are Blessed: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus!” Phillipians: 4:19
Whatever mountains you are facing in your life right now, trust that God is in there asking you to call on Him. Let us all learn to trust Him more and to rest assured that we are all that He says we are.
I have created a handy sheet that has these affirmation for you to print and have with you. Put it on the refrigerator so its the first thing you see when you’re making breakfast. Keep a copy in your purse and pull it out during the day when you need to feel reassured. Share it with your friends.
xo
Eva
