"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

6.18.2009

What do you do with your disappointment?


What do you do with your disappointment?? I shop, eat, move furniture around and around, watch TV, read, etc., etc., etc. These things are not "bad" things. It's when we use them to numb the pain, when we use them to not look at why we are feeling unsettled. Sometimes, most times, it hurts to look. We don't like what we see, but remembering we are totally accepted, and loved as we are, by the one who knows it all anyway helps. We can come out of hiding. We can look without fear of being rejected.

But it is still hard!!

Here is another excerpt from one of John Eldredge's books. This one is from "The Sacred Romance"


As our soul grows in the love of God and journeys forth toward him, our heart’s capacities also grow and expand: “Thou shalt enlarge my heart” (Ps. 119:32 KJV).


But the sword cuts both ways. While our heart grows in its capacity for pleasure, it grows in its capacity to know pain. The two go hand in hand. What, then, shall we do with disappointment? We can be our own enemy, depending on how we handle the heartache that comes with desire. To want is to suffer; the word passion means to suffer. This is why many Christians are reluctant to listen to their hearts: They know that their dullness is keeping them from feeling the pain of life. Many of us have chosen simply not to want so much; it’s safer that way. It’s also godless. That’s stoicism, not Christianity. Sanctification is an awakening, the rousing of our souls from the dead sleep of sin into the fullness of their capacity for life.

Desire often feels like an enemy, because it wakes longings that cannot be fulfilled in the moment. In the words of T. S. Eliot,

April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire. (The Waste Land )

Spring awakens a desire for the summer that is not yet. Awakened souls are often disappointed, but our disappointment can lead us onward, actually increasing our desire and lifting it toward its true passion.

Blessings,
Mary


4 comments:

Lydia said...

Depends on the disappointment. But usually sigh, heave, or cry, then I put on my big girl panties and ask God,"What next?"

Oh, yeah, sometimes I yell- then apologize---or talk angrily out loud to myself with no one around. Then I do chores, or artwork.

ps- I ALWAYS pray!

The Charm House said...

Disappointment.... Well dis means hurt feelings or deep resentment and then you have appointment! Therefore if you are feeling hurt or let down, it is time for that open appointment with God! I find talking to God is always helpful with trying to figure out things. The ironing board or piano has always been my place to run and have my discussions with God! Funny how we all have those places!
Do you really want to go to the beach????
Love you,
Yvette

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

What a beautiful post. What do i do with disappointment?...I use the lessons and the emotions in it to make art.

thank you for stopping by my blog and for the very kind words you left me. I really appreciate it!

Unknown said...

You always find ways for me to really *look* at HOW I have been handling disappointments Mar. Gee, so may ways I've handled them in the past...and probably will still, but I've been having deep talks with my FATHER, and it's true, knowing HE accepts me with all my flaws makes it a bit easier.. Thank you sis for making me reach deep inside my heart and soul for and to God for answers!!!
(((hugs)))