When Christians dissapoint

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I did not grow up in a church culture. We never attended church as children, unless with a friend. We had no reference to biblical life lived out. So I live each step through the phases of my life with a fresh perspective of what it looks like to be christian. 

I have read countless books on marriage and parenting and the like. 

Some have been helpful and others not.

And yet there is nothing quite like living life - really living it through the thick and the thin - that builds and grows us.

God and his word; his purposes and plan and his power at work in and through us.

The adventure we are on called life.

and yet......

This post, is essentially about being disappointed by life in general and in particular being disappointed by our fellow christian pilgrims. 

I think it is safe to say, that  if you are a fellow believer in Jesus, you will have been disappointed by a fellow Christan. Disappointment walks alongside us as we journey through life and it is no stranger in the church.

People are sinners after all and we all say things and do things that rub.

We hurt one another often unintentionally and sometimes with intent.

The question is, " What on earth do we do with the hurt and disappointment?"

We can not simply just leave it because it is likely to grow a deep and bitter root.

We can not always talk about it because it is tricky to share with Christians about other Christians without tainting their view.

We must forgive , yes, but often the person really does not seem to care at all that they have hurt. They are oblivious to the havoc they have caused in a persons life and even to a point of ship wreaking faith. 

I have seen this in action. It is really sad to see. And yet, it happens all the time.

Sometimes I wonder if God's word really penetrates or if we choose to take the bits that help us most and suit us best. 

We are called to a new life in Christ and a new community living in unity. It is so deeply disappointing when this is not reality.

A wise friend told me that all our deep disappointments we must take to the foot of the cross. 

Here is where our troubles and chaos meet perfect love.

It is here, that we find hope and power to forgive and press on.

It is here we are empowered to love, even our enemy, because we are so loved by God.

I once read a story about a man who lived a life of mental illness. He was a depressed man at a time when there was no medication available. He often felt suicidal. He often tried to kill himself. He had a friend who walk through life with him. The friend loved him and cared for him. He helped him through his mental difficulties and often saved his life. 

This story is striking because the friend never ever gave up. Though it must have been difficult and costly. The friend sacrificed a great deal for his ill friend. This kind of walking alongside our fellow strugglers is not often seen. There is so much help now days, that people grow impatient and callous with those who struggle. 

While it is true that help is at hand, Christian community can go a very long way in supporting and encouraging ; in building up and helping as a very real part of the help.

I am therefore rebuked and encouraged to press on in Jesus and with his help. To forgive much; to love boldly; to take the messiness of life to the cross and to walk with his purposes and his plan as my goal.

When christians disappoint.... and they will.... to cry out to Jesus and not become "bitterly disapointed."
And honestly , on this topic, I have begun to look less to people and more to God. While people hurt and dissapoint us, God never, ever does.