When Others Disappoint You

A few years back, we went through a period of time that sealed our ability to trust the Lord completely. We had been working with one organization streaming their races when we were suddenly, and without explanation, removed as the streaming provider for their live feed.

It was a very hurtful time. We felt abandoned by all around us in the business and were not sure what to do next, let alone how to pay our bills. The Lord saw us through that time and has prospered our company. It would be that break through moment that moved us to the next level. What others had meant for evil, He used for good. It was our Joseph moment.

Last night I was chatting with a friend in the motorsports business. During our conversation he confirmed what I had always suspected, there was one individual who masterminded our removal from that organization. That reality immediately brought back all the pain of that hurt. It literally ripped open an old wound. As I vented to my wife about my revelation, she just smiled. In her mind, there had been no doubt who had caused our problems.

This morning as I ponder the situation, I realized several things. 1) the Lord saw us through those time, 2) the Lord has fully vindicated us, 3) the Lord has prospered us and 4) the Lord has brought judgment on that individual and his company. This persons recent actions will only bring further judgment on him and his household. My actions are to forgive and move on.

Do you find yourself in a similar position? If so, trust the Lord to guide your path. He knows everything that has happened and will happen. In due time those who have caused you harm will be judged. I have found He is the great vindicator.

Blessings

When Others Disappoint You
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

“Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Tim 4:9-10).

Adversity molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known. But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this rugged warrior. We can sense Paul’s hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy:

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica… At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me… Do your best to get here before winter (4:9-11,14,16,21).

Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends?

In most of his letters, Paul seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look at life from a heavenly perspective. That’s why he could write:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity.

Beware of placing too much expectation on others. Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments.