Dealing with Disappointment

"When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening."  Acts 28:23

I didn't understand until today why or how this scripture had anything to do with the topic of setting either myself apart or my mind on God's interests and truly, it doesn't.  But God, in his wisdom, knew that I needed these verses today.

Do you ever feel like you aren't making a difference?
Do you wanna give up?

Now, you know where I was at this morning...

Satan fresh on the doorstep with discouragement.  Me buying into the lie.

And then God...

Here's the story out of Acts 28.  Paul has been journeying all over teaching and preaching the gospel of the risen Lord to anyone he can.  But his heart yearned for the Jewish people-HIS people.  He wanted so badly to see them come to know salvation through Jesus.  He remained a Jew, followed the customs, went to temple, remembered his heritage.  Yet, there were few that took the gift handed freely to them.  

Towards the end of the chapter, Paul finally gains an audience with the Jewish leaders in Rome and for one solid day, he explains Jesus to them using the Law and the Prophets.  Some were persuaded, but others would not believe (28:24).

Can you imagine the disappointment Paul must have felt?
His own people rejecting the truth?

He heart surely was broken.  He might have felt like giving up.  Like he wasn't making a bit of difference in the lives of those he wanted so badly to touch.

But he was making a difference!
And he didn't quit! 

Each of us have in our lives those we are desperate to come to know Jesus or live a life closer to him that just won't believe.  Disappointment can set in and the Enemy swoops in to feed on it.  Causing us to think about quitting...or settling...or compromising.  

It is then that the resolve of setting our minds becomes so important.

Otherwise, we stop.  We live in defeat.  And our lives affect no one.  

So, today, if you need encouragement to keep going, friend, I hope this was for you.  Keep going, keep talking, keep living out your faith.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Phil 3:14