The goal
of the process of dealing with disappointment, discouragement and
disillusionment is to replace them -one of the great mysteries of the Kingdom.
We trade disappointment for out identity in Christ Jesus. We trade discouragement for
God’s courage. We trade disillusionment for God’s hope and purpose.
When our
dream dies we are disappointed, in our emotions. It can also seem we’ve been
dis-appointed, removed, from our actual appointment in life. The dream dies. Now
what?
I struggle with remembering my identity and knowing my appointment when I revert to trying to
figure everything out. I lose my identity when it was tied to my dream instead in Christ alone. I don’t always walk by faith very well. I like things
very planned. I like to know what to expect. I have learned to walk by faith in
many areas and in many seasons. When a dream dies it seems to shake me and
cause me to question everything, or almost. Maybe that is good. A refocusing,
realigning process.
The trouble comes when we confuse the disappointment in our emotions for
actually being disappointed or removed. In the very real and powerful emotions
of grieving we can think our identity has been lost, but it’s only the dream,
and possibly only for a time. We have a God of resurrection.
I think we see this with King David in the Psalms. He expresses
his deep disappointment and hurt even to despair. In the end he always comes
back to the goodness of God in His promises. He goes through the grief and the
pain of a dream dying. He expresses his disappointment but comes back to his
divine appointment. He remembers who God is and what God has appointed him for
and the promises made to him. We must grieve and go through that process when a
dream dies. Even though my dream has died and I'm hurt I have not been
disappointed. I still have purpose. I still have calling. I still have good
works to accomplish.
God knows
who he designed us to be and what he designed us to do. You have an unchanging identity in him. You may have specific
verses that remind you of this, hopefully you have words of hope and
encouragement others have spoken over you to remind you who you are. If you
don’t know what you are appointed for ask God to reveal who he made you to be, find
people who see more in you than you see in yourself. And here are some verses
to get you started or to add to your list.
We have an identity in Christ and are appointed to do certain things. God
appointed you and empowers you to bring Him pleasure.
For it is God which worketh in
you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
He appointed you to everlasting life and salvation.
That whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:15-17
He has appointed you a minister of His new covenant, signed in Jesus
blood.
Not that we are sufficient of
ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter,
but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians
3:5-6
If you’re like me you want a written plan of specific steps, details of
your appointment. Go to this class, follow this career, or get involved in this
ministry. The verses I listed don’t give that kind of detail. They do give a
greater perspective though. God has an appointment for each one in the work of
His Kingdom. Knowing that in the general sense gives hope for seeking the
specifics. Faith is required to please Him, knowing every step and detail would
make faith impossible.
To learn your specific appointment there are many helpful tools like
personality and strength tests. God has placed passion in each heart for
different things, those help, too. Other people can give you direction. Most
importantly seek the Father. He speaks to you. He knows you. He knows your
strengths, weakness, and passions. He alone must be the final authority on your
appointment.
We are appointed to praise. We are appointed to encourage
one another, build each other up.
I have a great God to glorify. I have a great commission to
fulfill. I have a family to love.
I'm realizing as I reread this I did not include verses for my identity in Christ. I'll try to come back and add some. What are your favorite?
