MONTHLY MANNA

No matter how you slice it, dice it or divide it, disappointment is never easy. I believe many of you who are reading this will agree that we all have had our fair share of disappointment. I am bold enough to say that some of you may feel you have had an unfair share. However, I am not looking to stimulate your emotions, but your mindset.

So many things are going on in the world right now that disappointment is all around us. COVID-19 is causing sickness, death, loss of income, cancellation of graduation ceremonies, Sunday services, weddings and the list goes on and on.

Let me ask you a question, the moment you receive, hear or experience disappointment, what are your first thoughts? Do you immediately think you are defeated, disoriented or desperate? Do you in haste pick up the phone to call someone to vent, get on your knees and pray, or just hide into a cocoon?

I want to be very clear, disappointment triggers emotions that if not careful can cause you to digress. Do you understand that you can have digression in your thought process? Your mind has to be strengthened daily. Your mind has to be fed encouragement daily. Your mind has to be challenged daily. When you challenge yourself mentally, you will learn that disappointment does not have to stress you, but it can stretch you. It can stretch you to think bigger, prepare better, study harder, and reach higher!

When disappointment hits your door step, put your thinking cap on. I am not saying to ignore your emotions, but I would rather you take a bird bath than soak in them. Can I submit something to you that you may not agree with? There are some disappointments that if you take a moment to really evaluate that situation it really was a blessing in disguise. You might see it as a disappointment now, but there are some things you will look back on and see how it has turned into your greatest advantage!

Carenda Deonne www.carendadeonne.com admin@carendadeonne.com 888-473-2221 Twitter @cdpgem Facebook @carendadeonne Instagram @carendadeonne Blog @ www.carendadeonne.wordpress.com #livelifeonthepromiseofimpact Some areas in our lives in which we have experienced disappointment might take time to heal, and some disappointment might be a lifetime adjustment, but never let it consume you to the point where it robs you of your passion, and sends you spiraling emotionally out of control. Take Aim and learn how to think differently when you experience disappointment. Live life on the promise of IMPACT!

In the last few months we have experienced major changes in our ability to travel, worship, fellowship, congregate, provide health care and more. These changes have been major for some and minor for others. Graduations, proms, conferences, weddings and memorial services have been cancelled or postponed. Schools, restaurants, malls, churches, casinos, corporations and small businesses have had to close down temporarily due to an unseen yet deadly foe. With all of these changes happening simultaneously, we have to make adjustments not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually as well. In these times we have to live the faith we profess. We have to count it all joy, walk by faith and not despair or worry. These are all biblical principles but we are seeing the need to put them into practice. Surviving life’s struggles is not new for us but when the struggles mount up it gets overwhelming and can produce extreme worry and anxiety. The fear of the unknown can be crippling and become a problem in itself. To overcome the effects of the current climate of chaos and confusion we must get back to basics. Our faith in God must be first in our lives. We must learn to love ourselves and each other and live out The Golden Rule, which is to, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you” Luke 6:31.

Not only must loving God, yourself, and others be a priority, now is the time to get serious about taking care of your health, finances and spiritual growth. Some of the fear we see is because we were caught off guard and like the five virgins who didn’t have enough oil for their lamps we have been caught short (Matthew 25:1-3). This is not for us to be in despair or to be disappointed about but this is something we can learn from.

Dr. Carla Debnam, Founder, Renaissance Christian Counseling Center Overcoming struggles is possible because we learn strategies from the past ones. We prayed, praised and loved our way through the last storm and that will get us through this one. Encourage yourself and be strong in the Lord. We will get through this but not without making changes. We will be in the words of Marvin Sapp, “Stronger, wiser, better.” Jesus has promised us peace and to be with us always so we are not in the struggle alone.