Have you ever yearned for an outcome, taken the needed steps to see it become reality, but in the end, you experienced disappointment? A promotion? A job appointment? A positive pregnancy test? A marriage proposal? A school admission? A scholarship? I could go on and on.
Today, my total intention is to make this blog post as brief as possible, as well as unforgettable.
According to Oxford Dictionary, disappointment can be defined as sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. I think it’s safe to mention that I have experienced disappointments a number of times. If you are reading this and you haven’t, please, where on the planet have you been residing?
Our expectations or hopes sets the stage for the disappointments we experience. No expectations, no hopes, no disappointments. Does this mean the proven way to handle disappointments is to have no expectations? Absolutely not! I’m sure God will not be pleased with us if we do such. God had expectations before the Heavens and Earth came to be. He had expectations before He created the birds of the air, fishes of the sea, etc. He sure had expectations before He created Adam and Eve. At this point, I’m sure you clearly understand what I mean. It is only right for you and I to have expectations. We are created in the image of our Father, God.
“For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
“You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.”
Proverbs 23:18 – KJV, NIV, and NLT respectively
I really love the above scripture and its different versions. It shows us very clearly that in the future, our expectations will not end in disappointments. The fact that you are a Christian does not mean that the pathway to your God-ordained destiny will be a smooth sail. Joseph didn’t have it the easy way. Daniel, his 3 Hebrew friends, Ruth, Naomi, Elijah, and Job (we could keep mentioning names from every single book of the Holy Bible) did not stride along life sipping on juice, only to arrive at their expected end. They experienced disappointments in the course of their lives’ journey. But did they give up on their expected end? No, they didn’t. Joseph was sold by his brothers. Daniel and his 3 hebrew friends got captured and were relocated to Babylon. Ruth and Naomi lost their husbands. Elijah almost gave up on his assignment. Job was sick and tired of life at some point. Still, these men and women ended well. One virtue remains common among these individuals. If I do not share verse 17 of the above scripture, I won’t do justice as to why I’m on this space today.
“Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.”
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.”
“Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD.”
Proverbs 23:17 – KJV, NLT and NIV respectively
Let’s hear the conclusion of today’s matter. In actuality, let’s hear the conclusion of life’s entire matter – Live in the fear of the Lord.
The one who lives in the fear of the Lord knows God. The one who lives in the fear of the Lord trusts His Word. The one who fears God hates to do stuff the world’s way. For your expectations to come to fruition, you must cease from being envious and place your focus on God. Although you do not have control over people’s attitudes and actions, you have control over your heart, words, and actions. Friend, it is only right for you to guard your heart; the temple from where your thoughts, motives, words, and actions flow.
Keep living in the fear of God. God is not blind to your labor of love. He is the God who makes everything (including the disappointments) work together for your good. See Romans 8:28. God is the Master plot twister. Who would have known Ruth the Widow would be the great grandma of Jesus Christ? Who would have known Joseph the slave would become the prime minister of Egypt? I absolutely love the way God does His sweet works! He literally keeps giving the devil gbas gbos! Unpredictable God! We know He is so good, but the route He takes? It always baffles us! I just love God! Don’t you?
So my friend, regardless of the disappointments you have faced, know this – the ones who fear their God never miss their God-ordained appointments. Relax, you will reach your expected end in Jesus’s Name.
With love and passion,
Ashley
