“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” – Mike Tyson
Some days feel like a punch in the face…or that everyone seems to be trying to punch you in the face.
Let’s just be honest about that.
And a lot of the time, it’s not that they are even necessarily intentionally dealing out a jab or a left hook to your jaw…it just feels that way. Because people disappoint.
People will always disappoint.
Even if you’re an optimist and the kind of person that gives a million chances and truly in the depth of your soul believe that this will be the time that things are different, you’ll probably just end up disappointed more.
That’s me….
But it’s not an excuse to become cynical…or to start thinking the worst of people. It’s just calling up another chance to think the best of others, even if they’re going to disappoint you again.
And maybe there’s somewhere in there that we can give the benefit of the doubt and have high hopes, but not rest our hopes on the shoulders of others so much as on the shoulders of Jesus.
His yoke is light…and his shoulders are strong enough for all our hopes and disappointments to be piled there. And just as he died on the cross for our sins, he came to bear our hurts and disappointments too.
And while some days I just feel like punching back…probably I just need to get low, on my knees, and hold the frustrations high above me to be lifted off. My soul will find rest when I lay down my frustration and learn from his gentleness. And, I’m pretty sure that while Jesus felt righteous anger (and we can too) that he never punched anyone in the face.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Oh, yes! This spoke to me today. My longings for others to never let me down, besides being completely unrealistic, keep me in a perpetual state of disappointment. When will I ever learn? But your thoughts are an encouragement to stick in there — and to keep placing those hopes on the Lord, instead.
Christy @ A Heartening Life
http://www.ahearteninglife.com
Needed to read this tonight. I’ve felt like punching a certain someone lately (who punched me first! and then again! and then again!), even though I know it would only make me feel better for a split second. It’s time to hand that burden over to Christ.