DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT

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Have you ever been disappointed before? No, I’m not talking about a football game, though this past weekend does reminds us of how difficulties often come unexpectantly. I’m talking about real-life disappointments like loosing a job, discovering that you or a loved one has a life-altering disease, or even a marital disappointment. How you deal with disappointments can often provide tremendous opportunities for Next Level steps in your life.

In last weeks reading, Jesus offers a full-proof game plan for dealing with and getting through disappointment. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens (disappointed), and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30 NLT)

#1 “Come to me…” – Instead of our usual response which is either to lash out and hurt others or going introvert and carrying around an inner-rage, allowing no one else inside. Jesus challenges us to go to Him as our first response to disappointments.

#2 “Take my yoke upon you.”- A yoke is an instrument farmers used to use to connect their oxen together to pull plows for their fields. The whole principle is that two are stronger than one when living and working in connection and unity. God provided a way for all of us to live in connection and unity with Him through a relationship with His son, Jesus Christ.

#3 “Let me teach you…”- Jesus is asking for us to be “teachable.” A teachable spirit calls for us to surrender our ways and learning to replace them with His ways. This doesn’t come easy for any of us especially when our habits shape our lives like they do. Yet, “letting go and letting God” truly is the key to transformation.

If your soul is in a state of DISAPPOINTMENT, don’t punish yourself and allow your heart to be dragged down. Instead, choose a different road and let your DISAPPOINTMENTS be an opportunity to go to the Next Level with God.

Join NLCF as we go to the Next Level in our journey with Christ by reading through the New Testament in 2008. Go to this website http://www.gbcsanmarcos.org/Handouts/NT%20Study%20Plan/NT%2052-week%20study%20plan.pdf to download a New Testament reading guide.