People will Disappoint You

Sometimes in life, we have experiences and relationships that chip away at our heart. Relationships that tear us down instead of build us up. Experiences that make us feel as if we are not good enough, and we may never be. People who want to see us fail.

At some point in my life I realized that I had these relationships in my past and in my present and it was breaking my heart every day a little more. It became real a few years ago when my reality was shaken by a lie. Past feelings of abandonment and disappointment all came crashing down on me and my heart was broken again. It was then I started to pray for wisdom and out of a desperate search for answers, I was very specific with God. Turning to the One who created me for great things brought peace and an answer that allowed me to let go of the feelings that kept me searching for others to make me happy. People will disappoint us but God will always be faithful. It was time for me to stop relying on others to bring happiness in my life. It was time to stop waiting for others to change, for others to say "I love you," or "I'm sorry." I knew God had a plan and clearly that plan wasn't dependent on those around me.

We have to take responsibility for our own healing hearts by forgiving and grieving what we didn't get from those who have hurt us in our past. It is not until we start to put those relationships in their proper place that we start to see our true selves. We can see others for who they are and that they too are struggling, maybe more than you. But don't let their brokenness limit who you can be or what God can do in your life. Don't let others determine your value or worth. When you turn your heart to God, you are able to also put others in His hands to take care of and you can love more freely.

Turning to Jesus allows me to give grace where it's needed and have the wisdom to know what I can control and what I can't. No longer do I depend on others for acceptance or affirmation. I can be me, just as God created me to be.

1 John 4:4 " You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

*inspired by The Mended Heart, by Suzanne Eller

Be still, my friend and Listen

This morning I was reminded of the blessings God brings when we are still and we listen to Him. So often I get busy each day and focused on the to-do list or the demands of those responsibilities at work and home that I forget to be still. To listen. To calm my spirit for just a moment and hear God's voice. But when I do, I hear him and I am reminded of the peace, joy and protection he provides.

This morning I read Psalm 46:1-11 and again am reminded of the blessings God has for me and for those who listen for His voice. 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Psalm 46:1-11 NIV)

Acknowledging God each day in every trial and triumph allows us to be reminded that He is here on earth with us. He died so that we might experience His presence and protection in this life.  Unfortunately, we get too busy and don't take the time to sit, to breath and to hear what he has to say. I pray today for those of you struggling from an illness or a hardship that you stop and listen to God's word and find peace in Him. And for those who are embracing a triumph, remember to also be still and find joy in the One who brought you through.