I hate it when someone I believe in disappoints me. You work with someone, pray for someone, study the Word with him or her, and counsel him or her and then when you least expect it they are back in the gutter of life. We so expected that something we said would have stuck. We hoped and prayed that God would have given them a realization, like He did for some of us, that He hung on a cross, bloody and beaten to shreds, because of His deep love for us. We hoped that realization would have taken root and kept them strong for Jesus. Perhaps it wasn’t their time, or perhaps they were never really saved and just playing a game for what they could get out of it.

I am not saying that we shouldn’t be expectant. Of course we should always expect the best from those we loved. But we must remember that they are human beings, with imperfection, just like we all are.

Jesus expected his disciples to do their best. When they fell asleep the night before his crucifixion and left him alone, he felt awful, “He said to them, “Could you not stay awake with me?” But He knew that they were who they were. They were men in suits of flesh. The soul was willing but their flesh was weak.

God has used situations where people have let me down in many ways. First He has taught me that the perfect friend, pastor, spouse and relative does not exist. He has used these times of disappointment for me to cling even closer to Him.

This I know without a doubt. Jesus does not disappoint us. He is who He says He is, and He does what He says He will do.

As Christians the Holy Spirit is always with us to comfort us when a human being lets us down. He is there; too, to give us enough strength to get through situations by ourselves when someone we counted on for help has let us down.

So many people miss the boat when it comes to helping others. We are, as believers, to be reaching out to others, not constantly looking for someone to help us.

We have to keep focused on the good times Jesus promised us. We also have to be realistic. I don’t care who you are there will be hard times in your life and unpleasant people who are disagreeable. We should not quit pouring into the lives of others just because of a few who disappoint us.

People who disappoint us teach us how to be merciful. Can you imagine how many times you and I have disappointed God? Where would we be without His mercy and forgiveness for those times when we let God down?

So today, as I sense some folks are dealing with disappointment in relying on others who have let them down, lift your head up and don’t let it get you down.

God will bring others into your life that you will not be disappointed in. He will bring others who will be there for you through thick and thin.

Be glad you found out who the person that disappointed you really is. They are not the person they pretend to be. God is removing them from your life. Don’t hold on to them. Release them now so that God can bring people into your life that appreciate you and love you JUST AS YOU ARE!

In His Unconditional Love,

Cathie