Disappointments and our spiritual life...

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
~ Psalm 23:1 - 6

Years ago John Gorka wrote these words, "Life is full of disappointment, and I am full of life."

I will admit, I have had several disappointments in my life over the last year.  Some have included work, relationships with others, and my own personal need for change.  One thing is for certain, disappointments are inevitable.

Through each up, there seems to be a down.  Through each hope, there is the feeling of hopelessness.  In chaos, there is still the underlying of peace.  From excitement to depression.  Joy to sorrow. 

For some, it doesn't take much to move from one feeling to the next.  The older I get, the more I realize that I really don't have control over these changes.  It seems that they happen TO us, rather than being created BY us.

I think what is becoming more important is to realize that these circumstances are part of our emotional life, but are not the same as our spiritual life.  

Often when I meet patient families for the first time I remind them that while their loved-one's body and mind seem to be struggling with what is happening, the person's spirit is still alive and well.  A reminder that we are made up of mind, body and soul.

Our spiritual life is the life of the Spirit of God within us.  

We we do encounter disappointments, we feel our emotions shift and we must connect our own spirit with the Spirit of God and remind ourselves that what we feel is not who we are.  We are and remain, God's beloved children.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2020