How Joseph Trusted God with His Disappointments

 

Current Teaching Series Christmas: Don't Give Up, Look Up

How Joseph Trusted God with His Disappointments By Rick Warren — December 23, 2018 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV). Imagine yourself in Joseph's shoes. You're preparing to get married and your fiancée—with whom you've never been physically intimate—announces she's pregnant and she claims God is the father. You can understand the hurt. You can understand the disappointment. Joseph felt his only way out was to leave the relationship. It was certainly one of Joseph's darkest days. But guess what? It was also one of his brightest, too. Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship likely will happen in your darkest days: when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when the pain is great—and when you then turn to God. Because God will show up—every single time. Maybe you're in a tough situation this Christmas season that seems inescapable. Do what Joseph did, and change your focus. God could have brought Jesus into this world without Joseph. God could have arranged a different husband for Mary. But God chose Joseph to be a part of the greatest story ever told. Joseph's plans changed dramatically when he switched his focus. He saw an angel who revealed God's plan in a dream. Matthew 1:20 tells us, "After he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'" (NIV). Instead of focusing on his problem, Joseph considered God's plan and then did as the angel told him. History has never been the same since. Our lives have never been the same. Like Joseph, you may feel stuck, too. You see no way out. But God won't abandon you in your disappointment and your sense of hopelessness. Focus on God's plan. Listen to what he has to say about your situation. And trust him to follow through. The Bible promises us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV). Choose to trust God with your disappointments this Christmas season.PLAY today's audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk About It What surprises you the most about Joseph's reaction to Mary's pregnancy? What's the greatest disappointment you're facing right now? What's keeping you from trusting God with your disappointments today?

Our Gift: Daily Hope 2018 Prayer Journal Do you sometimes struggle with how to talk and listen to God? The good news is he longs to hear your prayers, whether it's a bold cry or a whisper. And your words don't need to be perfect. He delights in you when you come before him—in thanksgiving and petition. Jesus says in John 15:7 . . . "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." So the key to praying with hope and expectation is abiding in Christ—and we want to help you do that with the all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be blessed as you look back on your written prayers and see how God has faithfully answered them. It has a soft cork-like cover on the outside, while inside you'll find . . . • Bible verses and suggestions to help you pray for specific people and situations • Practical encouragement for your prayer life from Pastor Rick • Plenty of space to write out your prayer requests and how God answers them LEARN MORE

Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes 3 full-length teaching CDs from Pastor Rick's series Christmas: Don't Give Up, Look Up. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Message 1: Who God Chooses and Uses Message 2: Don't Give Up, Look Up Message 3: The Greatest Gift You Will Ever Be Given PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He's the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences | Unsubscribe

 

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