A few Sundays ago, my pastor preached on the passage in Luke 1 where Zechariah is told by the angel Gabriel that his wife Elizabeth would have a child. This proclamation was surprising because Elizabeth and Zechariah were infertile and had been praying for a child for years. Now, past the normal age of child bearing, the couple was living in the reality of disappointment.
Most of us are can relate to barren places in our lives. We have experienced disappointment in a job, relationship, dream or health. Whether that disappointment is over a physical infertility or some other type of barren place, disappointment can easily settle into our hearts and minds. We can give up on our dreams and feel that time has passed us by.
Yet, in this biblical account, against all odds Elizabeth conceived and her desire was granted.
As we picked apart this passage, several points were made:
- Disappointment happens to good people.
- Don’t believe that just because you are getting older, life is passing you by and your dreams will not be fulfilled. Our later years can be times of great fulfillment. We don’t always understand the timing of God, but His timing is always best.
- Like Zechariah, we must continue to pray and contend for the goodness of God. In Luke 1: 13, the angel tells Zechariah, “Your prayer has been heard”. Never doubt; God hears our prayers.
- Miracles happen.
- Great joy comes from God.
As the pastor talked about God wanting to bless us and give us the desires of our hearts, he warned us not to give in to the negativity that can surround disappointments. It is easy to think God forgets us or that we aren’t important to God when disappointment overshadows our thinking. However, God wants us to stand fast in prayer and believe for the desires of our hearts.
Luke 1:58 says that God showed great mercy to Elizabeth. God is still merciful today. He wants to show great mercy to us.
So if you are feeling barren in your life this Christmas, if you are living with disappointment, one of the messages of the Christmas story is that God wants to do something miraculous in your life. He delights in showing you great favor.
This Christmas season, don’t give in to negativity. Believe and pray. Wait for the miracle and experience the joy of the season.
Dr. Linda Mintle’s new book Letting Go of Worry is available online and in bookstores now. Visit her website at www.drlindahelps.com.