November 16

Life can be fraught with disappointment and frustration. We aim high and fall short of the goals we have set for ourselves. We strive in relationships to please those whose lives are intertwined with our own but find the fabric of our relationships unraveling in spite of our best efforts.

Just as others have disappointed us, we, too have disappointed many of them. The entirety of human existence seems to be a journey from one empty hope to another. Whether it’s losing our bid for promotion or never buying the winning lottery ticket, we find disappointment heaped upon us most relentlessly.

If we aren’t careful, we can transfer this defeatist mentality to the spiritual realm. We can expect that although the promises of God are absolute, they will never be realized in our lives. Not that we don’t believe God is faithful! It’s more that we think He’s too busy with important things to be aware of us.

This mindset negates the words of I John 4:4 which say, “Little children, you are of God and you have already defeated and overcome evil because HE WHO IS IN YOU is greater than he who is in the world!” Jesus, the Conqueror of sin and death is within you! He lives in your heart! His intention is to guide you rightly!