Have you ever wondered why the opposite of something good exists?
Before you dismiss the question into the realm of philosophical complexity, I want you to think about why bad things exist – especially within the context of God and faith. Why does depression, or sorrow, or loss, or violence operate in a world God created and called “very good”?
I have met many people who have turned away from faith because of this very question. I definitely don’t think I have a perfect answer. All I can do is talk from my experience.
Recently, I have gone through a phase where I was struggling with irrational disappointment. Life right now, is actually more than I have ever dreamed it would be. Yes, there are areas where I definitely am not fulfilled yet – but, I have found myself seeing progress and at a level of success in my personal life as well as in work and ministry. But I have had this inner turmoil – a struggle to understand why I keep feeling let down. The anti-climax in my soul is no reflection of my situation, so I had to address it – with the help of the Holy Spirit.
What I have found is that there is an opposite of disappointment – appointment. It is not fulfilment, or joy, or satisfaction. Appointment is the direct opposite of disappointment and all that stands between the two is that one preposition: “dis-“. In the dictionary this “dis” means – “apart”, “away” or “having a privative, negative or reversing force”. So disappointment is a sense of being “apart” or “away” from appointment. It refers to a perceived process of the reverse of appointment. And it is a lie from the pit of hell.
God is very clear in the Bible that He has chosen you. He has intentionally created and appointed you for the life you lead. Ephesians 2:10 is one of many verses that directly indicate this. The forethought that He has put into each of our lives is unprecedented. No one could come close to planning our future better than He already has.
So how can disappointment exist, when God has called us “appointed”?
Why does the opposite of God’s goodness exist?
Well, in my situation I found the answer in the preposition “dis-“. Bad things are not a directed enforcement from God. They happen in the absence of Him. “Dis-” means “away”. It is very interesting that I began to struggle with disappointment the moment I started seeing my appointment unfold before me. And what I have realised is that the presence of God in one area of my life, which is the presence of good (among a whole lot of other things), reveals areas in my life that do not have Him.
When your life becomes effective – when you do what you feel you’re created for – it is hard not to recognise the areas that don’t line up with God’s will. In your “appointment” you recognise the existence of the reverse in other areas of your life.
So I had to allow God into my disappointment. I did not have to understand it fully. I just had to believe that with God, I am chosen and am worthy of his intention. I’m sure that you probably can think of an area where you could allow God’s presence to change you. It may be the first time you consider his opinion of your situation. It may be something you have done more than a hundred times. But as humans, we will never have a limit to our need of God in light of our existence. God made and chose us to be with Him. If your soul is crying out for something, that’s just a reminder of who you need to turn to: the loving God who knows exactly how to comfort you and grow you.
We all need God. It’s an eternal dependance that is extremely freeing and empowering. You don’t have to believe me. Try finding fulfilment in God yourself.
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