Tag Archives: Disappointment

When you Possess This, Miracles are in the Making.

15 Mar

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Reblogged from Janet Perez Eckles.com

My ten-year-old grandson got up from the dinner table, walked over to me, and tapped my shoulder. “Nana, thank you. I love the noodles you made. But next time can you put a little less salt. I’ll still eat them, but I’m just telling you for next time, okay?”

I gave him a tight hug. “So sorry,” I said, “it’s not what you expected.”

His heart of gratitude touched me. He could’ve complained and refuse to eat it, but he chose to thank me anyway and eat salty noodles.

That night I put my head on the pillow of shame. Unlike my grandson, if I didn’t receive from God what I expected, or not in my own timing, disappointment set in. And a sense of discouragement took the place of contentment.

Sadly, that discontentment is popular today.

We have expectations and wait for God to serve the answer in the way we anticipate. And when that doesn’t happen, we wonder why. We question our faith, and our once complete trust in God isn’t complete anymore.

But God sees the full picture, including our sense of disappointment. What He’s looking is for gratitude for even little things. He’s expecting praises in everything. And He’s more direct in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 when He says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Give thanks in all circumstances? 

Even when we’re still in the same sorry situation, with no change for the better or with no solution either? God says yes. Consider if these prominent folks in the bible displayed discontentment:

  • What if Abraham became disappointed when God asked him to sacrifice his son? He would have missed his calling to be the father of many nations.
  • What if Moses allowed his weakness to diminish his trust in God? He would have missed his role to be the instrument to set the Israelites free.
  • What if David focused only on the punishment for his sin and failed to praise God for His forgiveness and redemptive love? He would have remained a poor me sinner relegated to obscurity.
  • What if Noah would have succumbed to the ridicule of the people and stopped the building of the arc? He and his family would have also drowned.
  • What if fear and disappointment would have filled Paul during the episodes where he was beaten, tossed out, and imprisoned? He would not have seen the world around him turn to Jesus.

You and I are no different.

God sometimes gives direction for our journey but doesn’t reveal the reason for each stop. At times, God provides only small amounts of success to test our character. And sometimes, God brings about an answer contrary to what we asked to test our trust in Him.

No matter how many plates of salty noodles the world serves you, the test is on. Will you praise Him for what God has done? Will you thank Him for what He’s doing? And will you be bold enough to praise Him for what you know He will do?

If the answer is yes, then you’ll find how miracles come wrapped in gratitude.

Let’s Pray

Father, I thank you for your patience when I fail to trust in You completely. I praise You for forgiving me when I fail to thank You through all the stages of my journey.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What miracles will your gratitude bring?

Bonus article on today’s topic.

Janet

Would you like to invite Janet to speak at your next event? Contact her here.

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Check out Janet on the cover of the 2025 February issue of Woman of Faith Magazine! To read the full issue, visit their site here.

Read Janet’s latest award-winning book, Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms the Deepest Pain to Shining Joy. Your copy waits for you here.

Janet Eckles Perez

Some say she should be the last person to be dancing. Her life is summarized in this 3-minute video: http://bit.ly/1a8wGJR

Janet Perez Eckles’ story of triumph is marked by her work as an international speaker, #1 best-selling author, radio host, personal success coach and master interpreter. Although blind since 31, her passion is to help you see the best of life.

www.janetperezeckles.com

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What to do in the storms of life

16 Apr

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet Eckles Perez

 

 

04-08-16 storms

 

Decades ago, while still in my hometown of La Paz, Bolivia, birthday celebrations were a big thing. With a handful of invitations, I ran from house to house on the dirt streets where my friends lived. Anticipation danced in my heart as I delivered them with pride because my Mom had designed them with colorful writing.

My parents gathered enough money to buy ingredients for a birthday cake. And the other treat at my 10th birthday party was made by mixing red Jell-O with evaporated milk. Since we didn’t have the luxury to own a refrigerator, Mom placed them outside, hoping the chilly night would make them gel.

And when my special day came, the friends who accepted the invitation, filed in through the worn, rusty gate of our house. They carried gifts. And in turn, I carry that memory in my heart.

Decade’s later invitations took a different meaning. During the storms of life, I ran down the dirt street of worry and self-pity. The only way to conquer all that was to extend an invitation to Jesus. He accepted and together we celebrated a restoring of my soul.

We can all do the same. But the invitation has to be specific:

• We invite Him into our storm.
• We invite Him into the heartache of the moment.
• We invite Him to share the disappointment in our marriage.
• We invite Him to share the longing for a solution.
• We invite Him into the diagnosis from the doctor.
• And we invite Him to be with us when we face the end of something we treasure.

When Jesus accepts the invitation, He shows up carrying the gift of His promises, colorfully wrapped in His love. They repeat: “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Visit Janet’s website to read the rest of this story and to learn more about Janet and her ministry.  What to do in the storms of life. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Get Over It and Move On

30 Jan

On The  Porch

Onisha Ellis

I'm a winner

My friend DiVoran and I were having a lively chat one day when  get over it came up. On the surface it seems like a rude, heartless thing to say, but is it?

I remember the times I said  “get over it and move on” to my teenage daughter after her first big heartbreak. She really hated when I said that, but what I was really saying was, work through this, stop letting it control you.

It takes courage, faith and work to overcome a broken heart, hurt feelings and disappointments. We don’t get over it without dealing with the situation. These are the actions I use when I need to get over it.

First I pray. I let God know I am counting on Him for help to accomplish these steps.

  • Determine to accept the situation. I don’t have to like it.
  • Accept responsibility for my actions. Yes, even if I feel justified.
  • Grieve the loss. I believe a time of grieving is a vital part of healing.
  • Choose to let go of the pain or anger. I can’t heal as long as I am hanging on to it.
  • Best of all, forgive.  Carrying a grudge can be a mighty heavy load.

Do I do this everyday and in every situation? Nope, but I wish I did. Guess I’m still  learning.

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