Discouragement

I feel discouraged. I had some news today that completely took me off guard. It has Matt and I considering what we are doing here and what our longterm plans really are. Some of the consideration is great, but overall, I am feeling hurt.

I have to remind myself yet again that what I think may be best for me, or for anyone else for that matter, may not be. God is God. And He has blessed us in so many ways this year. And even this discouragement may be a blessing in disguise. Either way, it is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Matt has been reading some short bios of Christian saints gone by, and the biographer has commented about their endurance and faith, remarking that our own age is characterized by an emotional self-centeredness that might have been foreign to these great heroes. How much I need to learn!

"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain."

William Cowper