Life of Significance Part 4
Early in life, I disappointed myself when I dropped out of high school. Even though I immediately earned my G.E.D., I felt that I missed out on the opportunity to continue my education at an age and stage of life when it would have been easier to finish college. What I learned from that experience is how important it is not to make hasty decisions, especially when those decisions are designed to spite others. Later in life, one of my greatest disappointments was the circumstances surrounding a family that left our church. It was very painful to have walked so closely with people with whom we had shared so much, only to have them be vicious and bitter in their departure. While the relationship is cordial and we have fully forgiven them, things are not the same and what I have learned is that people aren’t always completely forthright about their feelings nor are they always looking for resolution to problems. In such cases, all we can do is walk in love and be honest with ourselves.
Question: What have been some of your disappointments? What have you learned from them?
Live in the overflow!
Dr. D’
These little post/notifications are so timely for me! Or As I like to call them God reminder moments ????. My biggest disappointment was not taken full advantage of free college scholarship that I received… I know smh ????????♀️ Somehow my mother was able to get me & my sibling(s) free college tuition. I did one semester at community college however one semester i signed up for classes and never showed up for classes. My reason because i didn’t have car and was over public transportation so little did i know the school cut me check for $1,500 now i called the school etc they reassured me everything was fine but when it was time for me to registered for classes I couldn’t because i owed the school money due to not attending classes. I was heartbroken all the above and I was still w/o car! Smh lol later i relocated to Georgia and God has allowed to me go back to school(still working progress) however what i learned is Stay focus often times i think how far i could career wise no student loans, working on doctorate degree just so many things if we/I don’t allow the small things to snatch our focus.
Shawntay, it means so much to me that these posts are a blessing to you and I appreciate hearing what you have learned through your disappointment. I am so glad that God has our times in His hands and, even when we get off track, He can redeem the time and leave us with a lesson that will strengthen and propel us for our future. Stay focused!
I experienced a disappointment recently that I am still processing. However, I did receive an instant lesson. I applied for a promotion twice during 2018 (the same position at the same office, actually). Those I was listed as one of the best qualified for the position and given a raving recommendation by my office manager, I did not receive the promotion. One of the lessons I learned was undoubtedly, God has something just right for me. I’m learning that others know that I am one of the best qualified. Also, during the application process I didn’t ask for guidance from those who have offered to help me with this process. (I know…. prideful). I am a work in progress.
Joy, I am impressed with how quickly you learned such valuable lessons. We could all take a page from your book!
Very helpful to me, as I am also seeking promotion within the company that I work for as well. It is quite disappointing when you know that you qualify but someone else gets the position and you end up having to train them!
Oooo… this is a great question that brought a number of disappointments & thoughts to mind. Some of my greatest disappointments would be whenever I allowed ungodly relationships to alter my growth and spiritual progress knowing what was happening, and, how I let excuses and laziness set me back on some of my personal development and health goals. I ended up with some ”should’ve, would’ve, could’ve thoughts that I had to shake off. I had to learn to forgive myself in order to move forward, fully commit to God, and push past the thoughts of where I should be or what I should be doing. Now, I live on purpose and intentionally & literally rebuke lazy thoughts and excuses that would set me back from meeting my goals. I also accepted the mess ups as learning and growth opportunities and see that they actually have made me who I am. My daughter came to me one day saying she needed ”wise counsel”. I kind of giggled at that thinking I’m not old but knew exactly what she meant. Accepting and growing from what God allowed in my life, even though I was disappointed in my actions and reactions, were doses of Godly wisdom, faith, and knowledge builders. ????
Awesome lessons, Stephanie. I particularly like your commitment to “live on purpose and intentionally”. Keep it up!
Thanks for adding me to this group. Ive been disappointed in actually helping 3 ppl with financial problems but they never repaid me. All i got was excuses and i was very upset with them. I felt used but actually at one service one Sunday they spoke on forgiveness…it was hard. But i did..they talk and call me and never mentions it but ive moved on about it but i just dont understand how ppl could do that and act as nothing even happened. Well it did teach me a lesson about who you lend to.
Veronica, your post reminds me of something my grandfather used to tell us. He would say, “Never lend anyone anything that you are not willing to give them.” I later learned the wisdom in his words since nothing seems to threaten a relationship like loans unpaid. I encourage you to keep walking in forgiveness and always seek God’s counsel when lending opportunities present themselves. It will give you the discernment to say no to those you should not lend to and free you to help those you should. Thanks so much for sharing!
My disappointment is in myself. At times I forget that god is in control of everything in my life. I need to trust him because he always works things out on my behalf. When he shows up and works things out as he planned for my benefit , I am truly pleased, happy and surprised. I shouldn’t be surprised that is what disappointments me. I shouldn’t be surprised because he loves me unconditionally and only wants the best for me. This year i will trust him unconditionally because he has truly been good to me.
Wow Lisa! I am encouraged by your commitment to trust God unconditionally. He never fails us. Thanks for blessing me with your response.
As I read the proposed question, a few thoughts raced through my conscience! The one that stuck out the most is expending too much of my time and energy on people who were unworthy of it! But through it all I have learned my worth as a woman, and as a woman of God. Realizing that I am made for purpose, and God has and is continuing to build me and shape me for His own use.
One of the major disappointments in my life were that I allowed people to run my life for long. I didn’t go off to the Air Force because I would be “too far away from home”. I didn’t continue my education (receive my MBA) until I was in my 40’s because I had to “take care of others”. Now, I’m contemplating my Doctorate. We will see what happens. Now that I’ve matured in life I no long allow people (family) to dictate what right and what’s wrong for MY LIFE. 🙂