Living with Disappointment - Martin Wiles

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NLT

What we hoped to see, we didn’t.

A part of our spring camping experience in the mountains with friends included walking the Oconee Bell Loop Trail—a short and relatively easy 1.5-mile trail that follows a creek adorned with the rare wildflower. My wife and I had hiked it the previous year with my brother and sister-in-law, but we wanted our friends to experience seeing the beauty of this little jewel.

The weather had been radical. The day before our hike, a strong system of thunderstorms had rolled through, causing us to temporarily abandon our campsite for drier ground. The day of our hike called only for scattered showers. One of the rangers cautioned us that we might not see any blooms. Recent frost—along with the strong storms—had delayed much of the blooming period and the violent rains had knocked the blooms from the few plants that were blooming.

The ranger’s caution proved correct. As we meandered along the trail near the creek, we gazed at hundreds of the tiny plants. Buds extended on many of them, but no blooms. Perhaps in another week, but we wouldn’t see them. We kept our hopes up to the very end of the trail; however, we saw no small white bells hanging from the green plants. Perhaps next year, we’ll see them. This year, we faced disappointment.

While I’ve often heard this verse used in Sunday services, for the psalmist any day would do. From his perspective, God had made each day, and that made rejoicing worth it—and obligatory.

Disappointments litter our lives. We can’t stop them, and they come in various degrees. Our disappointment in not seeing the rare Oconee Bell bloom pales in comparison to some disappointment I’ve faced—and witnessed others face. But disappointments don’t have to color our lives with depression and regret.

Sometimes, the disappointment is only disappointment from our perspective. What seems like bad news or a horrible experience is only such because we can’t see the entire picture as God can. Trusting He has something good in store and is working in our favor changes how we see our circumstances.

God directs all events that touch our lives. Since He loves us, He’ll work in our best interest, just as a parent does their child. He will direct and control according to His loving nature.

Accepting that disappointments will come also helps us prepare ourselves mentally for them so that we’re not destroyed by them when they arrive.

Whatever comes your way, remember God has created the day, and He has a grand purpose in it that will eventually work for your good.

Prayer: Father, in our times of disappointment, we turn to You for hope and guidance.

Tweetable: Are you living with disappointment? 

Thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.

The Spice of Variety - Martin Wiles

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Colossians 1:16 NLT

Fog and low clouds enveloped our destination, giving it the proper atmosphere for the filming of a horror movie.

My wife and I set out for a day trip to Balsam Mountain, North Carolina. We planned to visit the primitive campground atop the mountain, perhaps as a future camping spot, and to drive the 18-mile gravel road back to Cherokee. Since hot temps had dominated our area, we looked forward to the cool temps the area boasted about—never getting over 70 degrees.

What greeted us was eerier yet more beautiful than we had imagined. Only a few people camped at the primitive sites which were soaked from the heavy fog and dew. A sign warned us we had entered bear habitat. We didn’t know whether this secluded area would be a good spot to take our young grandsons camping or not.

After scouting out the campsite, we began our trek down the gravel road. Rocks and rain-washed gulleys littered our path. We worried whether or not my wife’s small car would make it. But the road said one way. No turning back.

Though most wildflowers had bloomed out, many still shone their colors in this high-elevation area. Only four other people traveled the road with us. Like us, they were in no hurry. We made frequent stops to take pictures of wildflowers, odd-colored mushrooms, waterfalls, and old bridges. We had entered a rain forest, just not a tropical one.

Four hours later—and 800 pictures later—we exited the gravel road safely and made our way to Cherokee where we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

According to Paul, Christ created everything we can and cannot see. The beauty of the area we traversed reminded us of the statement’s truth. We marveled—and were humbled.

I’ve learned I can’t box God in. Just when I think I have Him figured out, He’ll do something differently. Traditions can’t define or confine Him, nor can my limited understanding. We couldn’t understand how the climate could be so radically different when we were only three hours away from our home.

God is sovereign, which comforts me. The beauty of the world He created and controls staggers my imagination, as does the fact that He saves all who call on Him.

Learn to enjoy the variety God has placed in the world. Don’t try to box Him in by your limited understandings and traditions.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us a world of variety to experience and enjoy.

Tweetable: Do you enjoy the spice of life?

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Help us spread God's encouragement through His Love Lines.