Light, Love, Hope

Everyone gets discouraged from time to time.  The important thing is not to unpack your bags and live there.  Do not take up residence at Doom-and-Gloom Avenue.  You’re not meant to hang your hat on the back of the door at Discouragement Lane either.

Things happen, and we get disappointed.  Often times, it is due to our expectations surrounding the situation or individuals.

Recently I was disappointed about a situation.  After having done several favors to help a family member out last week, it became my turn to ask a favor from them.  They indicated their willingness to grant the favor, yet when it came right down to it, they couldn’t be bothered.

When something like this happens, it always catches me off guard.  This time was no different.  Having JUST helped them Thursday evening and finding that when Saturday came they were unwilling to help me … that just did not sit right with me at all.  I wasn’t alone in the way I was feeling either as my husband and daughter felt the same way!

It’s hard when this happens.

I’ll admit that I was upset Saturday when I realized that although I was willing to go above and beyond for them – and had proven that several times recently – there are those that are not willing to do the same for us in return.  Then a Facebook quote came to mind that went something like this:  Stop swimming oceans for people that won’t even jump a puddle for you. 

We have a giving nature about us.  If we can help any one in any way, we’re right there extending a helping hand.  Sadly, though, there are those that are unwilling to return the favor. Yet, they will call right up and ask for you to do them another favor … and that is exactly what happened!  They called last night, as a matter of fact.  Well, I’m sorry.  I’m not in the favor granting business right now after having been denied when I asked a small favor from them.  I was really taken aback that they’d have the audacity to call and ask for another favor having just denied MINE!

This is when you learn to say … no!

It’s hard … I’m not going to say that it isn’t.  It has taken me ALL of these years to be able to say “NO!” without feeling the need to justify, state my case, or just over-explain things.  My daughter hasn’t yet perfected saying no … she is new in her adult walk, and she felt guilty for saying no, so when I said no … she said she’d do it instead.  The person still got what they wanted, so I doubt they learned anything in this whole thing.  But I did.  It was a lesson learned by me and my husband.  While we’re willing to do for others, they are not willing to do for us in return.  Now I will not ask anything of these individuals, and I will not be so quick to lend a helping hand or stretch myself to the max to accommodate them as I have done many, many times in the past.

Disappointment?  Yes, I have felt such disappointment and sadness since Saturday.  I could have let it eat at me, consume me even.  I decided NOT to let it have that power over me.  Instead, I have chosen to just be still.  I have talked about it, mulled it over, and now I’ve prayed for peace surrounding this situation.  I’m willing to let it go now.  I do not wish to hold on to it any longer.

Sadness will attempt to take over when you’ve been discouraged and disappointed.  Realize, though, as I did that this is your temporary home at the moment.  Feel the feelings.  Allow them to come, and then roll it around in your head for a little while until you find some form of peace with the situation.  Ask God for help, and I promise you, He will!  Feel sad for a little while if you must – feel disappointment in them and their actions or lack thereof, but do not unpack and live there.  Usher disappointment out and happiness back into your life, your heart, and our home!

It is hard when people disappoint you, but don’t unpack and dwell there. Your feelings are just your temporary home at the moment. Feel them, explore them, and then ask God to help you move on in a better frame of mind.

Erosion control.  That is what is needed.  Things of the world have come rushing in, eroding our morals and values.  Things that were once unacceptable in our world now seem to be welcomed.

When once you could go on a hand shake and someone’s word, people will look you straight in the eyes and lie to you now.

People commit themselves in marriage to the “love of their life” just to turn around and commit adultery.  What ever happened to being true, faithful, and people of honor?  Why have we lowered our standards to accept things of the world?

Just because someone says it’s now okay to have a free spirit or use freedom of speech or freedom of expression as an excuse does not mean that it’s RIGHT!

We all know right from wrong!

Every single one of us!

We have that still small voice inside of each of us that will alert us when we’re reaching dangerous territory.

“Wait a minute now.  Proceed with caution.  You really should NOT be doing this.”  

But do you heed the warning, or do you charge full speed ahead?

What if God was whispering this warning in your ear?  Would you listen?  Would you put the brakes on before you slide right on into sin?

“Careful now, My child.  You’re in the danger zone.  You’re tempted right now, but all you have to do is call on My name, and I will lead you out of this temptation.  Tell the devil to flee from you, and he has to tuck his tail and RUN!  Do not give in!  You are stronger than this.  Hold your head up high and be a person of honor!  I am with you.  And I will deliver you from evil.  You are approaching sinful things.  Turn from sin and stay on the straight and narrow!  Your rewards will be so great in Heaven.  Sin NOT, my child!”

Would that keep you from thinking unclean thoughts?  Would that keep you from lustful ways?  Would it keep you from telling that “little white lie?”

God sees you. He’s right there with every step you take, every single move you make.  He sees, hears, and knows ALL.  There is not a single thing that you can do and feel as if you’re getting by with it as God is a witness to it all.

You wouldn’t steal that pack of gum from the grocery store with the manager right beside you, just as you wouldn’t openly lust after someone with your spouse standing next to you.  Why, then, do you do these things when you have to hide to do them?  Don’t you know that God is ever present?  HE is right there with you when you’re doing these things hanging His head in disappointment.  Why not just do the honorable thing instead?  Make God PROUD, and you won’t be walking around with guilt and shame that practically eats you alive!

If you’ve done things in the past that you are not proud of, now is your chance to repent before God and ask for forgiveness.  Then, turn from your sin and never ever go back in that direction again.

We can ALL be people of honor before God!  He will help us.  All we have to do is call on the name of the Lord!

Sadly, people can’t wait to show you how little they think you matter in this cruel world.  Every where you look people are cutting you off in traffic, being sarcastic to you when you speak, disrespecting you by getting in your face, or are just down right rude in any dealings you have with them.  It’s completely uncalled far, and yet, it seems more common than ever before.

My daughter is getting a taste of the “real world” now working in a bank.  Occasionally she will encounter extremely rude customers, and it is hard to maintain your cool when dealing with people such as this.  It is necessary, though, and she does a great job.  I can tell it is wearing on her, though.

While black and white issues should not be prominent in the workforce, unfortunately, it’s there.  She has encountered issues with this also at the hands of her coworkers.  My heart goes out to her as she struggles with her self esteem and self worth as it is.  This is where I have to encourage her … “Know your worth, darling!” I tell her.  I can see she is struggling, and all I can offer is a pep talk to encourage her and bible verses to let her know that God is ALWAYS by her side.

“If God is for you, who could be against you?”  At times, though, it seems like the whole world is against us.  There’s one person that will always be by our side, though, and He will always be FOR us … and that is God!

I encourage her also to know her worth – know what God says in His world about us.  Refer to scriptures where it talks of the love He has for us and how valuable we truly are to Him.

We strive so hard to gain recognition from man, and often times the praise and approval will never come from those we desire it from the most.  No matter what, we can’t seem to do any thing impressive for those individuals.  This is where you must know your worth!  Their approval is not needed when you already have approval from God above.  You have His love.  His stamp of approval.  His gift of eternal life.  And that, my darling, is all you need.

God thinks you’re worthy.  God sent His son to die on the cross for you.

Know your worth!  You are a child of the KING!