The Way of the Wildflower: Gospel Meditations to Unburden Your Anxious SoulSample

All disappointment is rooted in the desire for something or someone to be all that we hope. It is unmet expectations mingled with the desire for satisfaction, happiness, ease, or more of what we think we need. Disappointment can feel like a ripple in a pond or, worse, like a tsunami coming off the ocean, threatening to capsize your thoughts and emotions. The size of the wave is typically proportional to the size of your expectation. When you feel that something you considered vital to your happiness doesn’t go as planned, the disappointment is greater. . . .

Disappointment wrecks you only if your greatest treasure is something that can change.

Alternatively, disappointment can’t take you out if your greatest treasure is in something or someone that cannot fail. Our best defense against being capsized by disappointments is ultimately to be tethered to God’s unfailing, steadfast love.

In a world where we’re so used to being disappointed by people who are not who they claim to be, products that don’t hold up, and plans that fall through, we might be tempted to expect the same of God too. Or to believe the lie that we, ourselves, could be disappointing enough to keep us from fully knowing his love. If that’s you, hear this encouragement from the apostle Paul. He goes to great lengths to express how dependable and unshakable God’s love truly is. . . .

When we trust in Jesus, the disappointment and hopelessness of sin no longer write the stories of our lives. You see, Jesus is the reason we have access to the love of God. Even if we fail or come up short. Even if we are disappointing. In Jesus, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing. That’s the good news.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Daucus carota

This flower’s resemblance to a bird’s nest has given it symbolism tied to sanctuary, safety, and refuge. One of Queen Anne’s lace’s distinguishing characteristics is the bit of red in the center that looks like a drop of blood and is said to symbolize pain.

How fitting is it that, though our pain is inevitable, we are safe in the refuge of Christ? Truly we are surrounded in a sanctuary of his care.

Prayer

Father I am so thankful that nothing can separate me from your love. Thank you for drawing near to me and for being my strength and refuge when I am struggling. Amen.