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Such A Disappointment


          For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)

          Before I came north, there were several days in which I had packing to do that I couldn’t do because I would need the items in question before I left. I’m pretty sure I wrote about the “Must do…not yet” problem otherwise known as frustration.
            I had plans for when I came home, and they didn’t include a panic over COVID-19 that would make doing seemingly everything impossible. Oh, it had begun by then, but my plans had already been made. I tried to make plans around the crisis, but the Weather Channel is currently calling for snow in Erie every few days until April 16.
           Yes, I know, I’m in a hurry with the garden. From what I’ve read, the last frost date in Erie is now May 1, and it used to be Memorial Day. It is still one of the tasks that I want to accomplish that I can’t accomplish yet. And don’t get me started on the issues of my book or losing weight. And then there’s the whole “can’t go to church on Easter” thing.
         Yes, like many people, I’m frustrated and disappointed with this spring. I get frustrated and disappointed whenever I have to wait, especially when I have to wait to do something I think – or hope – God wants me to do. “Hurry up …and wait” or “Must do… not yet” are dangerous weapons in the hands of our enemies because they’re so effective at turning us away from God.
           Sometimes, frustration and disappointment lead to anger. How could God be so cruel? Sometimes, they lead to doubt. Did God really say? Does He even really exist? If He does, why does He hate me so much? Isn’t He supposed to meet my needs? Sometimes, it leads to fear. What am I doing wrong?
         Sometimes, they lead to taking action on our own, to help God do what He doesn’t seem capable (or willing) to do Himself. Like Sarah and Abraham, we decide to step in.
           Do you notice? Every normal reaction to frustration and disappointment moves us away from God.
And the answer I hear from God about these things is, “Do you trust Me? Do you trust My timing?” That takes me back to the shield of faith, and to the question of what trust looks like. In this case, it looks like waiting.

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