Handling Disappointments

Over the course of the past few weeks, I have had three fairly major things, that I thought were of God, fall through my grasp. 

I always talk about how God is still good during your trials, how He has a reason for everything, and how you need to trust Him and fight on...

And then I was faced with it in my own life. 

I've had disappointments in the past, but for the past year or two, I've been in a season of blessing. I'd been working and fighting hard through the valley, and was now reaping the harvest. 

At first, I was in constant awe. I was humbled daily, and couldn't believe God was allowing me to experience all that He was. But then, little by little, I began to start to take advantage of Him. 

I didn't realize it until I was faced with the let downs, but now I'm seeing that I've come to expect God to give me what I want. I'm starting to let my pride take over, and sort of push my God to the side. And because of all of that, I found it difficult to "walk my talk" when I was faced with the need to. 

I don't have the answers. I don't know what's next. I don't know what God's plan is, or what He's doing; and that's a hard thing to admit to anyone. I think we all believe a form of this lie that if you live your life for Jesus, and you have enough faith, you'll never face trials. Things will always go your way, and basically... You'll never actually need Jesus. 

I can honestly confess that I have believed that lie somewhat. I may KNOW that's not true... But I've certainly FELT like it is. I'm not going to act like I'm perfect, I've been struggling in the valley again. But God's been using this to work in my heart. 

I believe He's using my disappointments as a way of warning me to nip this mindset in the bud before it becomes any worse, and as a way of reaching out to me to get back my attention that I've been directing towards just about everything but Him lately. 

So if you're dealing with disappointments in your own life right now, I want you to know that it's okay to struggle with "getting over" something. It's okay to cry, to feel disappointed, and even to ask God why... But the important thing is that you don't let yourself stay there. 

There is nothing that the enemy hates more than when you choose to praise God in the middle of your valley, and I promise you, God will prove faithful still. If you need help believing that, just read the book of Job.

He knows what He's doing, and He is still working all around and in you. 

He still hears you, He still loves you, and He's still good. 

You may not feel like it right now, but just stop what you're doing, get away from the distractions, and praise Him. Worship is like nails on a chalkboard to the darkness. It doesn't mean your troubles will go away, but it helps you change your attitude towards them, and reconnect with God.

Valleys are honestly blessings in disguise. They are an opportunity to connect with God more intimately than you ever could on a mountain. No matter how long you may be walking through your valley of your constant disappointments, I promise you it's going to be okay. 

God still hears you. God still cares about you. I can't tell you why these things happen, but I can say with all of my heart that I believe He's still good. 

Thy will, not my will, be done.
You're still good.