The "Disses"

I sometimes wonder why it is so easy for me to fall into the "disses:" Discontentment, Disappointment, and Discouragement. It struck me this morning as I was driving into work that DIS means without. Without contentment, without encouragement, without hope. And so, I know that means that there is a truth deficit there and that I need to be filling up with the truth. My hope is in Jesus. He encourages me. He makes me content. Not in my circumstances, the things I see, the things I think I want that I don't get, but in Him. I sometimes feel so human, like I have to have it in my hand for it to be real. I know I am blessed when I believe what I cannot see, but it seems so hard.

But, a good reminder from my friend Tiffani is this: "Jesus didn't get angry at Thomas for wanting to see his wounds. He simply said, others will believe without seeing and be blessed. He didn't say "you'll see me now but you aren't blessed" - shoot, if you saw Jesus in person after he was murdered, I think you would be pretty blessed!

Don't forget, you ARE human. And Jesus appeared to human Thomas with love and grace. He knew what Thomas thought he needed and he provided it - but at the sight of Jesus and his intimate love Thomas dropped on his knees and said, "My Lord." In reality he didn't need to touch him, he just needed to know Jesus loved him enough to be active in his life, too.

Be at peace dear friend, and fight the disses. Jesus says, "Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged" and he promises that he will be with us. Even when we fall into discouragement, he is still with us. Listen for his voice and you will be healed."

And so, the reality of this all is this: I need to understand and see Jesus' love in a more real and active way today. That is the truth. That I am fully loved, fully pleasing, and fully acceptable to the Lord, no matter what my circumstances say, or how I feel about it. God is good to me at all times and in all ways because He can be nothing else!

Lord, have grace and mercy on me today.