Finding Hope Amidst Disappointment and Uncertainty
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound theme of hope and its relationship with disappointment. We began by acknowledging the natural human experience of disappointment, especially when life doesn't unfold as we expect. This is not a sign of weak faith but a revelation of where we have placed our hope. Often, our disappointments reveal the idols in our lives—those things we have elevated to a place of ultimate importance, sometimes even above God.
We delved into the idea that certain relationships, like our relationship with God, do not tolerate rivals. Just as a marriage cannot sustain a third party without being destroyed, our relationship with Jesus demands exclusivity. He must be the center of our lives, not just one of many priorities. This exclusivity is crucial because it determines where we place our hope.
We also discussed the danger of expectations. Expectations can be the killers of joy because they set us up for disappointment when reality doesn't align with our preconceived notions. Instead, we are called to trust in God's promises, not our expectations of how those promises should manifest. This trust is not about knowing the details of how God will fulfill His promises but about knowing who God is and trusting in His character.
The story of Abram was a powerful illustration of this trust. God called Abram to leave everything he knew and go to an unknown land, promising to make him a great nation. Yet, the journey was fraught with challenges, including famine. Abram's story teaches us that faith and hope are not about having a smooth path but about trusting God amidst uncertainty.
Finally, we reflected on the promises of Jesus. He never promised a life free from trouble, but He did promise His presence. Our hope is not in outcomes or circumstances but in the unwavering promise that Jesus will be with us, even in our darkest moments. Hope is not a mere wish; it is a trust in Jesus, who is with us now and into eternity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Disappointment as a Revelation: Disappointment is a natural human experience that reveals where we have placed our hope. It often uncovers the idols in our lives, those things we have elevated above God. Recognizing this can lead us to re-center our lives on Jesus, who should be the exclusive focus of our hope. [04:30]
2. The Exclusivity of Our Relationship with God: Our relationship with Jesus is one that does not tolerate rivals. Just as a marriage cannot sustain a third party, our relationship with God demands that He be the center of our lives. This exclusivity ensures that our hope is rightly placed in Him alone. [07:10]
3. The Danger of Expectations: Expectations can kill joy because they set us up for disappointment when reality doesn't meet our preconceived notions. Instead, we are called to trust in God's promises, not our expectations of how those promises should manifest. [10:08]
4. Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty: The story of Abram illustrates that faith and hope are not about having a smooth path but about trusting God amidst uncertainty. God calls us from places of certainty to places of uncertainty, asking us to trust in His promises. [12:37]
5. The Promises of Jesus: Jesus never promised a life free from trouble, but He did promise His presence. Our hope is not in outcomes or circumstances but in the unwavering promise that Jesus will be with us, even in our darkest moments. Hope is not a wish; it is trust in Jesus. [27:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Introduction to Disappointment
[02:54] - The Natural Experience of Disappointment
[04:30] - Disappointment Reveals Our Idols
[05:49] - Relationships That Don't Tolerate Rivals
[07:10] - Exclusivity in Our Relationship with God
[08:46] - The Depth of Our Grief
[10:08] - The Danger of Expectations
[11:18] - God's Promises vs. Our Expectations
[12:37] - The Call of Abram
[13:55] - Challenges in Following God's Call
[15:11] - Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty
[16:35] - Never Expect What God Hasn't Promised
[18:29] - Unwavering Faith and Hope
[19:46] - The Promise of Salvation
[20:34] - Mary's Trust in God's Plan
[23:15] - Hope as Trust in God
[24:50] - The Promises of Jesus
[26:43] - Jesus' Promise of Presence
[27:41] - Hope Has a Name
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 12:1-3
2. Hebrews 10:23
3. Luke 1:26-38
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial promise God made to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3, and how did Abram respond to it? [12:37]
2. According to Hebrews 10:23, what are believers encouraged to hold onto, and why is this significant?
3. In the story of Mary in Luke 1:26-38, how did she respond to the angel Gabriel's message, and what does this reveal about her faith? [20:34]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between disappointment and the idols in our lives? [04:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Abram illustrate the concept of trusting God amidst uncertainty, and what can this teach us about our own faith journeys? [12:37]
2. The sermon mentions that our relationship with Jesus demands exclusivity. What does this mean in practical terms for a believer's daily life? [07:10]
3. How can expectations become a "killer of joy," and what alternative does the sermon suggest for dealing with expectations? [10:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the true nature of hope, and how does this differ from common misconceptions about hope? [23:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent disappointment in your life. What did it reveal about where you have placed your hope, and how can you re-center your hope on Jesus? [04:30]
2. Consider your current priorities. Are there any "rivals" to your relationship with Jesus that you need to address? How can you make Jesus the center of your life? [07:10]
3. Think about a situation where your expectations led to disappointment. How can you shift your focus from expectations to trusting in God's promises? [10:08]
4. In what ways can you practice trusting God amidst uncertainty in your current circumstances, similar to Abram's journey? [12:37]
5. How can you remind yourself of Jesus' promise of presence in your life, especially during challenging times? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this awareness? [27:41]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to let go of control and trust in God's character and promises. What steps can you take to surrender this area to God? [15:11]
7. How can you cultivate a hope that is based on trust in Jesus rather than on specific outcomes or circumstances? What changes might this require in your mindset or daily practices? [23:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Disappointment as a Mirror to Our Idols
Disappointment is a natural part of life, often revealing where we have misplaced our hope. When we experience disappointment, it can uncover the idols we have elevated above God. These idols might be relationships, careers, or personal achievements that we have given ultimate importance. Recognizing these misplaced hopes allows us to re-center our lives on Jesus, who should be the exclusive focus of our hope. By doing so, we can begin to dismantle the idols that have taken root in our hearts and redirect our trust towards God. [04:30]
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where disappointment has revealed an idol. How can you begin to re-center your hope on Jesus in this area today?
Day 2: The Exclusivity of Our Relationship with God
Our relationship with Jesus demands exclusivity, much like a marriage that cannot sustain a third party. This exclusivity ensures that our hope is rightly placed in Him alone. When we allow other priorities to rival our relationship with God, we risk diluting our faith and misplacing our hope. By making Jesus the center of our lives, we can experience a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him. This requires intentionality and a commitment to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. [07:10]
"You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to ensure that Jesus remains the center of your life, free from competing priorities?
Day 3: The Danger of Expectations
Expectations can often lead to disappointment when reality doesn't align with our preconceived notions. Instead of relying on our expectations, we are called to trust in God's promises. This trust is not about knowing the details of how God will fulfill His promises but about knowing who God is and trusting in His character. By releasing our expectations, we can find joy in the journey and peace in the knowledge that God is in control. [10:08]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where your expectations were not met. How can you shift your focus from your expectations to trusting in God's promises?
Day 4: Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty
The story of Abram illustrates that faith and hope are not about having a smooth path but about trusting God amidst uncertainty. God called Abram to leave everything he knew and go to an unknown land, promising to make him a great nation. Despite the challenges he faced, Abram's journey teaches us to trust in God's promises, even when the path is unclear. This trust requires courage and a willingness to step into the unknown, confident in God's faithfulness. [12:37]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain? How can you practice trusting God in this area today?
Day 5: The Promises of Jesus
Jesus never promised a life free from trouble, but He did promise His presence. Our hope is not in outcomes or circumstances but in the unwavering promise that Jesus will be with us, even in our darkest moments. This hope is not a mere wish; it is a trust in Jesus, who is with us now and into eternity. By anchoring our hope in His presence, we can find peace and strength to face whatever challenges come our way. [27:41]
"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of Jesus' presence in your life, especially during difficult times? How can this awareness change your perspective on your current challenges?
Quotes
1) "To experience that disappointment is not abnormal. To be saddened by missing out on what you had longed for is not like unchristian. That as Catholic Christians, when we, when we lose someone, we can grieve. When we lose opportunities, we can grieve. But as St. Paul says, we don't grieve like the rest. What I've found is in the last couple months, what's happened in the midst of disappointment, what's happened in the midst of loss, what's happened in the midst of grief, is my own heart has been revealed to me." [04:30] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "When the Lord God comes into our lives, He doesn't just want to be one among many. That our relationship with Jesus is exclusive. What that means is, He's either the center of our lives or He's not really in our lives. He's either the heart of our life or He's not even really part of our life. Either He's everything in our life or He's essentially nothing in our lives. Now, the way to say it is this. Our relationship with Jesus is the kind that does not tolerate rivals." [07:10] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Expectation is a killer of joy. Because why? Because I thought when I got on my vocation, it would be like this, and it's not. I'm not, and I'm sad. Why did you think it would be like this? I don't know. I just thought it would be. Did you have any reasons? I don't know. I just thought it would be. I don't know. I just thought it would be like that. No, I just thought it would be like that." [10:08] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Trusting God is when we say, okay, Lord, I'm going to count on your promise and on nothing else. Trusting God is when we say, God, I'm going to count on your promise and on nothing else. So I'm going to hold you to your promise and to nothing else. Again, we talked about disappointment. I've been disappointed so many times in my life. I have to tell you the truth. I don't think I've ever been disappointed in God. I don't think I've ever been disappointed in God. Or I'm going to say it like this. I don't think I've ever been disappointed by God." [16:35] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "If my hope is based off of an outcome, my hope is entirely conditional. If my faith is based off a certain circumstance, then my faith is circumstantial. And I don't know about you, but I don't think I can walk through this world with a hope that is conditional. Or a faith that's circumstantial. That if God doesn't give me what I want, then I'm not going to have faith in him. If God isn't going to do what I expect of him, even though he's never promised it, I'm not going to hope in him." [18:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Hope is not a wish. Hope is not a good feeling. Hope is trust. Hope is trust in God extended into the future. Say, Abram, go from what you know to what you don't know. What's going to happen? Do you trust me? Yes. Well, then, when you get there, I'll be there. will you be the mother of the Messiah? What's going to happen? You don't need to know. All you need to know is that I'll be there." [24:03] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The promises of Jesus are not, if you belong to me, you'll get everything you ever wanted. The promises of Jesus are, in this world, you will have trouble. Pause. My brothers and sisters, here is the promise of Jesus Christ. This is what our hope is in. It's not in, everything's going to work out. It's not in, you're going to get everything you want. It's not, you'll never know grief or never know loss. It's Jesus saying, in this world, you will have loss. In this world, you will have pain. In this world, you will have disappointment. In this world, you will have death. In this world, every one of you will know trouble. But then he says this, but take heart." [26:43] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Our hope is not placed in outcomes. Our hope is not based on circumstances or on consequences. Our hope is based on this promise. That even in your darkest moment, your darkest hour, your darkest season, even the moment when you actually, give up your last breath, Jesus is saying, don't be afraid. Even then. Because even at that moment, I will be there. That's where we placed our hope. Hope is not a wish. Hope has a name. And his name is Jesus." [28:51] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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