ODJ: disappointed
So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth’s answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat! (v.4).
READ: 1 Kings 21:1-16
Scanning my e-mail inbox, I stopped in excitement when I saw a particular name. As I opened the e-mail, I held my breath in anticipation of what I would see. Waiting to hear about a manuscript I had sent in, I read through the e-mail quickly looking for the publisher’s response. Disappointment flooded my thoughts, however, when I read the letter. While the assessment had been accurate—the manuscript still needed a lot of work—I couldn’t stop the tears from falling from my eyes. I had significant work to do if I intended to proceed further.
Disappointment is a normal, human reaction to an unmet desire. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” We were intrinsically designed for hope, but living in a fallen world means facing disappointment. What we do with it makes all the difference.
When Ahab didn’t get the vineyard he wanted, his disappointment took over his emotions—and his life (1 Kings 21:4). Mired in his own frustration, Ahab didn’t look to the Lord for his answer. He had a pity party. Furthermore, his disappointment didn’t affect only him. Vineyard owner Naboth paid a dear price (v.13). Anytime we let disappointment rule our emotions and lives, we’re believing that what we want is more important than anything—or anyone—else. God wants to bring good things into our lives. As proof, He has offered Himself as the unfailing hope (Romans 10:11). The problem comes when:
• We think we deserve something.
• We make our happiness dependent on whether we get what we want.
In contrast, God asks that we live a life surrendered to and dependent on Him (Psalm 37:3-5). —Regina Franklin
How can disappointment affect our relationships with others? What disappointment is troubling you?
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July 17, 2010
READ: Titus 3:3-11
Abstain from every form of evil. —1 Thessalonians 5:22
One of our grandchildren is aller- gic to several kinds of foods. Milk, cheese, eggs, and ice cream are among the items she has to avoid. Even a small amount of these things is detrimental to her health.
She’s not alone in being required to avoid certain things in life. While her allergies are related to her physical well-being, each of us as believers in Jesus has dangers we need to stay away from to maintain spiritual health. Scripture gives us a clear indication of what we are “allergic to” spiritually.
Every kind of evil (1 Thess. 5:22). This should cause us to think about the choices we make, because taking part in what is clearly evil is not good for our spiritual vitality.
Foolish disputes and arguments (2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:9). This takes discernment, for some arguments have merit in defending the faith. But those for which there is no answer or which have no bearing on truth only cause dissension.
Sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3). The Bible says that any sexual activity outside the boundaries of a marriage between a man and a woman is immoral (Gen. 2:24; Ex. 20:14; 1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4).
Are we willing to make the effort to steer clear of things we are spiritually “allergic to”? —Dave Branon
To avoid sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.
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