So I'm here looking back on a recent scenario of my life thinking how 'Hindsight' really drew the short straw when it came to getting its role on the 'Sight' team. Foresight gets all the glory with preventing us from doing stupid things or preparing us for things to come. The only weakness of Sight is that there are things we sometimes don't want to see in the moment, other than that we are thankful for being able to see everytime we open our eyes. But Hindsight gets all the angst. Hindsight is the one noone really wants, in fact more than that, we'd much prefer Hindsight to someone else: the other 'Sights'. It's the one that we would like to yell at, and perhaps have:
"where were you when I really need led you?!"
"what?! You're choosing to tell me NOW and not back then when it mattered?!"
Yep Hindsight is the awkward one that never seems to get timing right. The thing is, that's its job... so at least it does it's job well. And whilst we tend to err on the side of animosity towards Hindsight, there's a depth of wisdom in it that we appreciate. It teaches us valuable things, that actually end up being useful for our present and future. Maybe it's not so separated from Foresight or Sight as it seems... Oh yeah they're a team... We need them all.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Disappointment
It's an inevitable thing in this life that we will all experience disappointment. Whether it be disappointment in things not turning out how we hoped or planned, or disappointment causes by people, the effect is the same. Usually it's some form of sadness and sense of loss, whether it shows in tears or anger.
As a person full of hope, optimism and dreams I have encountered disappointment to the point where we are beyond 'acquaintances'. Whilst there is a deep familiarity with disappointment, at times it can still catch me by surprise in its ability to effect me. Usually it rears its head in circumstances not working out how I hoped they would. Lately it's showed up on a regular basis.
Today was its most recent sighting.
The difficult part of dealing with disappointment for me is in finding a healthy response where I allow myself to feel the valid sadness, reflect on what happened so I can understand it and learn from it, but then find a way to let it go so it doesn't lead me towards bitterness or inaction.
Today the most difficult part was facing the fact that I let myself down. I really wanted to hit myself over the head a couple of times. Don't worry, I didn't:). But I couldn't fight back the tears on and off - even on a plane!
I wonder what you do with disappointment.
For me, the key is intentionally bringing to mind what is ultimately true and outlasts whatever happens on Earth - Jesus: His character, His promises and what he has already done for me.
Truth can be hard to hold onto when our emotions are at full throttle. So today it was a difficult challenge to fight the repetitive regretful thoughts with truth. Boy can my mind shout, particularly at night when I want to sleep. But I opened the Bible (well my Bible ap) and the verse for the day was Philippians 4v4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Perfect verse for me to hear tonight. Thank you God! It puts everything into perspective and helps me to fix my eyes on God not me (the Bible says it well: Hebrews 12v1-3). Whatever happens, God is still in charge and His ways are perfect, better plans than mine. And all that happens on this Earth in my life is so small and temporary compared with seeing God face to face and being with Him in 'perfect everything' forever. So this may not have worked out, but it doesn't knock me out of God's awesome hands and perfect plans.
Hope in this earthly life is a fleeting thing and really is no sure hope at all. but hope in Jesus is absolute and eternal.
In times of disappointment may you run to the God in whom there's never nothing to rejoice about.
That is the difference between joy and happiness: joy withstands circumstances, whereas happiness depends on circumstances. Joy comes from knowing Jesus :D He does not disappoint :D
As a person full of hope, optimism and dreams I have encountered disappointment to the point where we are beyond 'acquaintances'. Whilst there is a deep familiarity with disappointment, at times it can still catch me by surprise in its ability to effect me. Usually it rears its head in circumstances not working out how I hoped they would. Lately it's showed up on a regular basis.
Today was its most recent sighting.
The difficult part of dealing with disappointment for me is in finding a healthy response where I allow myself to feel the valid sadness, reflect on what happened so I can understand it and learn from it, but then find a way to let it go so it doesn't lead me towards bitterness or inaction.
Today the most difficult part was facing the fact that I let myself down. I really wanted to hit myself over the head a couple of times. Don't worry, I didn't:). But I couldn't fight back the tears on and off - even on a plane!
I wonder what you do with disappointment.
For me, the key is intentionally bringing to mind what is ultimately true and outlasts whatever happens on Earth - Jesus: His character, His promises and what he has already done for me.
Truth can be hard to hold onto when our emotions are at full throttle. So today it was a difficult challenge to fight the repetitive regretful thoughts with truth. Boy can my mind shout, particularly at night when I want to sleep. But I opened the Bible (well my Bible ap) and the verse for the day was Philippians 4v4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Perfect verse for me to hear tonight. Thank you God! It puts everything into perspective and helps me to fix my eyes on God not me (the Bible says it well: Hebrews 12v1-3). Whatever happens, God is still in charge and His ways are perfect, better plans than mine. And all that happens on this Earth in my life is so small and temporary compared with seeing God face to face and being with Him in 'perfect everything' forever. So this may not have worked out, but it doesn't knock me out of God's awesome hands and perfect plans.
Hope in this earthly life is a fleeting thing and really is no sure hope at all. but hope in Jesus is absolute and eternal.
In times of disappointment may you run to the God in whom there's never nothing to rejoice about.
That is the difference between joy and happiness: joy withstands circumstances, whereas happiness depends on circumstances. Joy comes from knowing Jesus :D He does not disappoint :D
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