Dealing with disappointment
Although we know this, how does that help any of us deal with loss and disappointments? It might be easier if our lives existed and were totally unconnected to any other human being. We could live our lives without the complications of another's opinion or actions. For every action, there is a reaction, cause, and effect. There isn't one person on this planet who isn't affected by another person's actions on a daily basis. I believe we all understand cause and effect where free will is concerned. Have you ever meditated on this when you have been in prayer?
When we pray and ask Adonai for..... have you ever pondered all the things, and people that must come into order to make it happen? What if it doesn't happen? Does that mean it isn't meant to happen? Does it mean God didn't hear your prayers? Does it mean that He doesn't care about you? Let's take a look at some examples of free will and how things could have been different.
First, we have to consider Avraham (Abraham) Joshua 24:2-3 tells of how Avraham worshiped other gods. How he left his home and went where he was being called by Adonai. He left behind his family and friends to follow God. Genesis 11:27-32 and Genesis 12:1-4 Now think about how easy it would have been to choose to stay with what was comfortable. He left his faith, family, and his support system. The comfort and safety in all he knew were being removed from his life if he chose to follow a God. He was not being forced or manipulated to follow Adonai he was given a choice. From his life, we learn that those who follow God will often be misunderstood by others, just like Avraham likely was when he left his homeland.
At age ninety-nine, God asked Avraham to do something rather bizarre. As a covenant with God, Avraham was asked to cut the foreskin from himself and every male in his decedents for generation upon generation as a sign of the covenant. We still see the mark of this covenant today. Some say it was for cleanliness that it was commanded however the scriptures say that it was clearly a sign of the covenant and that all the descendants of Avraham would bear this mark. Genesis 17:6-7 Says, I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation this is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Now stop for a moment and think about How things would be different if Avraham had said no.
His free will led to the birth of Ishmael from his wife Hagar. Avraham and Sarah became impatient with Adonais' promises. Upon the coaxing from Sarah and the free will of Avraham, He took Hagar to his bed and she bore Ishmael. However, in Genesis 17:19 God says that Sarah would give him a son and they would call him Isaac and Isaac would confirm Adonai's covenant with Avraham and it would be an everlasting covenant. Avraham's free will gave him 2 sons, one would be blessed with being fruitful and the father of princes' and Adonai made him a great nation The other became the confirmation of the covenant and became a father to the King of all nations. Although Avraham used his free will Adonai made a way for Avraham and all his descendants to prosper. On earth and in Heaven.
So, in regard to free will and disappointments, I urge you to first seek His will in your life. Do as He commands, and be reminded of jumping ahead of Adonai, it will bring consequences what would you prefer. His desires which I promise are so much sweeter or your own?
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