Disappointments vs. Blessings

Have you ever been disappointed about something?  You didn't go on a trip that you had planned. The dress that you wanted was sold out.  The store did not have the shoe(that you loved) in your size.  The list could go on and on and on.  The truth is who hasn't been let down?

When something doesn't go your way, you feel cheated.  You may even say "this always happens".  I am not worthy.  Why don't good things happen to me?  We are often our worst enemy by saying negative things about ourselves.

During these times, this is when I quote scripture, such as Romans 8:28 "all things work together for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Another scripture that gives me comfort is 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  Paul wrote this letter to encourage the new Christians and to remind them that Christ would return again. In the meantime, one needs to enjoy where they are at in life.

There is also a quote that offers encouragement and a positive can do attitude:  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  Lemons suggest sourness or it could also be the difficulties in your life.  How are you going to handle the tough times?

Just the other day, I was reading about "kintsugi".  This is Japanese art in which the person repairs broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum.  The story is that a Japanese shogun sent a damaged Chinese tea bowl back to China for repairs.  It was returned with ugly metal staples.  A Japanese craftsman decided it could be more attractive with gold painted on the cracked areas.  Collectors were so in awe of the beauty that some were accused of deliberately smashing valuable pottery so it could be repaired with the gold seams of kintsugi.

Could you picture people making bad things happen in their lives so that they could see what blessings God would provide for them?

So Paul taught the Thessalonians that they should thank God "in everything" that happened to them.  As we know, evil does not come from God, but when it does happen be thankful for God's presence and the good that He will accomplish through the hurt, the tribulations, the pain and the afflictions.

Remember Job.  Through all the tragedies happening in his life, his wife told him to "curse God and die."  Job's reply was "You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  Job knew he couldn't give up on God when He allows bad experiences to happen in our lives.  At times, we don't even understand why these situations happen.  Once again, this is where our faith comes in place and we have to trust God.

You will have tragedies and disappointments while you are on this planet.  The choice is yours.  Are you going to allow God to make lemonade out of lemons?