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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Flying with Thursday's Word by Brenda Smith, a re-post

It's Thursday and that means more from the fabulous Brenda Smith.

Autumn Mott


DISAPPOINT: TO LET DOWN. TO NOT TURN OUT AS EXPECTED.
DISCOURAGE: TO DEPRIVE OF COURAGE, HOPE OR CONFIDENCE.

The raise doesn't happen. The promotion is given to someone else. The promise isn't kept.  Being let down is a part of the human experience. It isn't an easy part of it. It is especially hard when we think we have been misled, or lied to in some way. When we get our hopes up, then, we face the crushing feeling of seeing them smashed. Disappointment is hard to deal with.
The boss was dishonest. The friend didn't keep your confidence. They can leave us in despair. It is in times of disappointment, when we are convinced that no one can be trusted, that the faithfulness of God is truly seen. In scripture the phase "I will never leave you or forsake you" is used on several occasions. It is a reminder that no matter the situation God is there. He is faithful. He will NOT disappoint. When others let you down, don't give in, because God is still there. He is faithful.

The best way to handle any disappointment is to express it to God. He already knows how you feel and why. But pouring your heart out to him prepares you to experience His love and comfort. Remind yourself that God is still in control, and he has the highest good in mind for you. (Psalms 77:13-14) "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou are the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people."   

It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale the tools were placed for public inspection, each being marked with its sale price. There were a treacherous lot of implements. Hatred, Envy, Jealous, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the rest of the pile was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn and priced very high.
What's the name of the tool?  asked one of the purchasers.
"Oh? said the adversary, "That's Discouragement?
"Why have you priced it so high?"
"Because it's more useful to me than the others. I can pry open and get inside a person's heart with that one, when I cannot get near him with other tools. Now once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It's a badly worn tool, because I use it on almost everyone since few people know it belongs to me?"
The devil's price for Discouragement was so high, he never sold it. It's still his major tool, and he still uses it on God's people today. So, God has to come along and remind us of all the promises he made to us. All the things He’s already done. Memory is a good thing when you remember the right things.  The devil can only remind you of your past to keep you from enjoying your present. As a Christian, he is not part of your future!
May God continue to bless you is my prayer.
Brenda Smith