11/4/24 Devotion (2)

Many, if not all of us, have experienced disappointments. Disappointment can lead to discouragement and discouragement can lead to despair. Our disappointments can abound, but we must elevate our perspective.

How we handle our disappointments affects us in the long run. The race of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. We must keep our focus on the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Through the difficulties and hardships, we must keep the example of Christ in our main view.

Many of us have been so disappointed in what life has brought us. In fact, the disappointments looms in our central gaze. Things didn’t quite go our way. We keep doing the right thing and still don’t see the results.

However, we are in the race of faith which requires a sustained and continual effort to follow the example of Christ who endured hostility and sacrificed himself for the salvation of those who would come to him.

If we read through Scriptures, we will find that many people walked through disappointments. If we don’t take our disappointments and unfulfilled expectations to the Lord, we will decline into discouragement and despair.

God is also sanctifying us and getting us in spiritual shape. He’s forming us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The olive must be crushed before the oil can be produced. Always remember that there is a greater purpose that God is fulfilling in our lives whether we are conscious of it or not. How we respond means everything. Let’s run the race of faith with a steady pace.

Friday’s disappointment is Sunday’s empty tomb!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

Hebrews 12:1-3