Devil's Dart: Disappointment

Disappointment is a powerful weapon against Christianity. Sometimes it lies in the failure of others to meet our expectations. Sometimes it is in our understanding of what it means to be a Christian. We read the words of Jesus - "Ask and you will receive.” “Seek and you will find.” “Knock and the door will be opened to you.” 

“But,” we complain, ”not always.”  

The Lord has promised that we will not go away empty-handed. But sometimes, His answer is not what we envision. We must be careful that we do not miss His response.

I asked the Lord for Bread.  He gave me Seeds. 

“Plant,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Understanding. He gave me Problems. 

“Solve,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Shelter. He gave me a Hammer. 

“Build,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Peace. He gave me Disruption. 

“Calm,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Success. He gave me Opportunity. 

“Work,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Security. He gave me Friends. 

“Trust,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Fame. He gave me Obscurity. 

“Create,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Answers. He gave me Curiosity. 

“Discover,” He said.

I asked the Lord for Life. He gave me a Savior. 

“Believe,” He said.

My prayers were not always answered in the way I expected. But all that I asked for, the Lord provided - and much more. 

How can I be disappointed?

“I remain confident in this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart.” Psalm 27: 13-14

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Psalm 3:5