Today we are taking a little break away from The Names of Jesus to talk about
something I am personally struggling with…..
How do you deal with people who disappoint you? I have such a hard time!! Last night I was even crying about those in my ‘sphere’ who are disappointing me.
As a Christ follower how can that be?
I have followed Jesus for over 43 YEARS!! Why don’t I have it together by now????
I am reminded about the passage in the book of James. (James 1:14-15) (from the N.A.S.V.)
James 1:14-15
“…But each one is tempted when he/she is carried away and enticed by
his/her own lust (or sin). Then when lust (sin) has conceived (or birthed), it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
and from the New Living Translation ( little different)
James 1:14-15 “…temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions, and when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death”
Here are the ‘circumstances’ that I FELT…
My expectations were not met
Someone else said something mean to me. That person ‘made’ me feel disappointed/angry/sad/hurt.
Rather than praying…I let the ‘feeling’ of being hurt carry me into sin…anger,
bitterness, hurt. I became so bitter (sin) and angry (sin) that I became silent. The sin brewing inside of me….
And then what happened? It burst out…of course.
In reality, nobody can MAKE you feel anything….I actually allowed the remarks of a loved one to affect me.
(I gave birth to that feeling…James 1:14-15) Those ‘feelings’ gave birth to MY anger (sinful actions) and then….grew in my heart for hours….
The final outcome? Tears. (Feeling sorry for myself….) Disappointment in myself. Resentment at the people involved…. Rather than praying….I became pitiful about poor ME. I allowed my feelings of anger about the person who was being a bit forceful about a conversation…rather than silently pray for them. And myself.
The result? Broken fellowship due to my ‘feelings’. This is exactly what James is speaking about in James 1:14-15. My anger/hurt feelings gave way to sin … broken fellowship with the person, and the Lord.
It felt GOOD to be angry. For a few hours…I felt JUSTIFIED. I felt RIGHT….
In reality, and according to Gods Word… Those were lies. I allowed sin to come into my heart and lead me away from HIM….broken and feeling alone.
As one friend used to say….”Keep short accounts of sin”. Confess it to the Lord, 1 John 1:9. Ask God for restoration ~ 1 Peter 5:10. And if necessary….Confess it to the one you have hurt, or been hurt by!
Be encouraged that the Lord desires us to be whole before HIM and those
around us. My sin overwhelms me, however, The Lord has restored my soul. Psalm 23:3.
-Cindy
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