Disappointment
Have you ever had a time in your life when you thought you were living a pretty decent life. Trying to do all the right things and then BAM something unexpected knocks you down. Feelings of frustration, defeat, sadness, and maybe even anger creep in. You start to think what if I would’ve done this or changed that would that have made a difference. Maybe you’re thinking would you have gotten that job or kept that relationship or influenced your child differently. Whatever unexpected blow came your way know you are not alone in these feelings.
I think about Joseph, son of Jacob, in Genesis. He was his father’s favorite and his other brothers knew it. One day his father sent him out to check on his brothers in another town as they were feeding their flocks. His brothers saw him at a distance and plotted to kill him but instead put him in a cistern. After talking over dinner, they decided to sale him as a slave.
We can read this in Genesis 37: 23-27 ‘So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, “what will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.’
I wonder is Joseph heard their dinner conversation. This was his family. The people closest to him. The ones he was supposed to be able to trust and confide in. To be sold, outcast, not want and even hated. This is rejection and disappointment to the nth degree. How devastating, yet we see as we continue to read how God was woven throughout the story of Joseph. After he was sold, he was then sold again to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh’s officials, and found favor in his eyes as a slave.
We can learn from Joseph. If we read on there are other times in his life that are filled with hurt and pain. But despite this he chose to still severe God and put his best foot forward. Working hard in the position God had placed him, the position of a slave.
Can we say the same? Are we putting our best yes on the table and serving the way God has called us to? Or do you hear grumbling within your soul about how you deserve better. Friends, sometimes life throws curve balls and sometimes we will hit them out of the park yet other times we will strike out. Regardless, of the outcome or the obstacle thrown at us if we follow The Lord we will win the game.
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Let’s live our lives knowing that no matter what life has for us God will sustain us. He is our constant and our joy. He will calm our minds, steady our feet and soften our callused hearts.
Father, you are the one true God. The Alpha and Omega. Aba Father. We want to know you. Help us to see the areas in our lives that our hearts may not have surrendered our hurt to you. Lord we want to lay it at your feet. Show us how, help us give it all to you. We love you. In Jesus name, Amen