I’m not a big T.V. fan, but if there’s one channel I enjoy it’s HGTV (Home and Garden Television). I especially love the shows that feature a big reveal. You know, the before and after.
There are various takes on the home makeover, but whatever the scenario we know that a house will be taken from blah to ahh.
Invariably, a team sweeps in and transforms the house based on the owner’s wishlist.
At the time of the reveal, there are always oohs and ahhs as the home owner surveys all the impressive changes, updates and enhancements. As the camera pans to the old (before) version of the house, the audience is reminded of just how much work was done.
And of course, it was all worth it. The after is so much better than the before and everyone loves the transformation.
No one walks away feeling disappointed.
I wish life was like that, don’t you?
Unfortunately, our big reveal isn’t always what we expect, or even welcome.
What happens when your big reveal leaves you feeling blah?
What about when a new season brings more challenges than the one before?
Are you feeling disappointed by a big change you didn’t ask for?
These are the questions I’ve been asking myself lately.
How do you welcome an after you never wanted?
I thought life was pretty good before the transformation. Whose idea was this anyway?
Sure, we had our set of challenges. I mean it’s life, after all. But still, it was pretty good.
You see, a few months ago we were over-swept by a massive flood, followed by the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the Atlantic. It was off the charts! And if that wasn’t enough, we got slammed by two more hurricanes within two weeks of the first.
The transformation that followed was not a welcomed one.
Remember, I love makeovers. Just not this kind.
Catastrophic loss, displaced families and shattered lives are more suitable for a horror movie; not my favorite show.
My life went for ahhh to blah – just the opposite of what a makeover should do!
Has life left you feeling disappointed?
Maybe you haven’t been through a major change like I have. Maybe you can’t relate.
But I have a feeling that at one time or another, you’ve experienced changes in your life that left you feeling disappointed.
How do we bounce back when life disappoints?
For me, it starts with remembering these simple truths.
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God is in control
God’s the one writing the script, not me. And the good news is that He sees the bigger picture that I can’t see. He knows that the reveal will be worth it.
What seems like a setback to me, is simply Him setting me up for something better.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
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This too shall pass
When I hear this line, it immediately reminds me of my father. This is something he used to say over and over again. And you know what? He was always right.
No matter how difficult a season might’ve been it never lasted forever. Thank God!
Whatever it is you might be going through, whatever hurts and disappointments you’re facing, the dust will eventually settle. Admittedly, it’s hard when you’re in the midst of it. I get that. But friend, I’m here to tell you that, this too shall pass.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17
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My pain has a way of revealing my purpose
The longer you’re alive, the more likely you are to experience some type of pain or disappointment. At this point in my life, I get to look back and see how past hurts have shaped me for the better.
My pain has a purpose. And yours does too. Just look to God.
When I keep my eyes focused on God, I can see more clearly the path He’s laid out for me. As hard as it is to admit, the tough times are for my good.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Was the makeover worth it?
The big reveal might not have produced the results you expected. You might feel like the season you’re in isn’t what you signed up for. But when you remember that God is in control, that the tough times won’t last forever and that God is working it all out for good, something amazing happens. You find that God’s plan, his big reveal, is better than you could imagine.
So, when life gets you down and you’re feeling disappointed, I pray that you will find your nuggets of truth too.
Rather than feeling disappointed, stand in amazement at the big reveal He’s planned for you. Trust Him. It’s all good.
How about you?
What truths do you hold on to when you’re feeling disappointed?
How has God used a difficult season to reveal His big plans for your life? Let’s encourage one another in the comments below.
Wishing you blessings,
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This makeover is awesome! How long did it take?
Hi Marva,
I’ve been disappointed many times in my life but I’ve always believed in God’s plan. Whenever I feel disappointed, I just pray and let it all out to Him. I sing, “Tomorrow” it just makes me happy and positive. That the sun will come out tomorrow 🙂
Thanks for sharing a ray of light, as always!
Cheers,
Jessica
I think that’s actually what keeps me from being a fan of those shows is because it makes the big stuff seem easy and most life issues can’t be resolved in an hour or even over the course of a few episodes dedicated to fixing something. Most life changes are a day to day challenge. The finished picture is often something we wish we didn’t have to have, not the beautiful home makeover that you see on these shows.
I’ve always believed faith is where the strength to face these challenges comes from because the answers are rarely easy or fun. Strong communities willing to reach out and help others are signs of that faith at work.
That being said I often watch movies that are fantasies, filled with happy endings, but I think there is a clear distinction between fantasy and reality tv that leads people to expect that this is how crises should be resolved.
Most people don’t get the dream makeover when something hard hits. However, many are blessed with people who come to help share the burden and help make the adjustment to a new path. It isn’t perhaps the HGTV miracle, but it is perhaps a better story because it is more achievable for all of us if we reach out to our family, friends, and neighbors in need. Often even small gestures can lead to others moving to help and the community builds and grows to assist. However, sometimes it takes the first person to reach out and try to do what he/she can do to get something started. You may not be able to create the makeover, but you may be able to start helping someone live the new life that has come.
I love the point you raised about the community working together to help each other out. Yes, reality TV paints an unrealistic picture of life but thankfully we have real-life friends who are willing to come alongside us, and oftentimes dig us out of the pit.
I’m finding that life is hard sometimes but that’s okay. The lessons in those hard times are making me stronger in Christ.
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation, Sheltie.
Easter blessings to you!
I’m sorry for all the upheaval y’all’ve been through, Marva. ((Hug)) I can’t imagine how hard that’s been. — Love this wisdom you’ve taken away from it. God always seems to form that rainbow from the most unlikely things, doesn’t He? Only God. No one else can create “purpose (from) pain” like He can. Continued prayers for your area. Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend. ((hug))
Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers, Brenda. At another point in my life I might have resented all these changes but thanks to God, I can have a godly perspective and look for ways He’s using it all for our good.
Easter blessings to you!
God is in control. Amen!
I appreciate this entry, Marva especially considering the emotional ‘moment’ I had while sitting in my vehicle in the parking lot at work yesterday morning. Thoughts of where my life has been, where it is now, and trying to figure out how I can get to where I want to be simply overwhelmed me, at 9am!
God is truly the one who transforms me, so it’s up to me to surrender and let Him get though the construction. Like the home renovation shows, sometimes in the midst of the demolition unexpected faults that can be a severe detriment to the home are exposed and tackled, then the rebuild can continue with assurance that all will be well.
A scripture that has touched my heart lately is Psalm 37:23-24 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. he delights in every detail of their lives. tough they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Monife, thank you so much for sharing your heart so vulnerably. The point you made about the faults showing up is such an important one. Gosh, I could think of quite a few fault lines that have been exposed in my life but I also see how God used those things to make me stronger (once they were dealt with). He’s doing the same for you too, my friend.
It’s so easy for us to think about the finished product and forget about the oftentimes difficult process to get there. No quick fix here, huh? Lol.
I love the scripture you shared! I’ve stumbled a lot but I haven’t fallen. All of the glory goes to God!
Blessings to you.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16. Renewed when we feel disappointed from the change is such a God thing. I love it. I love that He is willing to make us new after the storms. Blessings
Me too, Jaime, me too. If it wasn’t for God, I don’t know how I would survive all of this. I’m so grateful for His constant abiding love.
Blessings to you, my friend!
I’ve seen this time and time again in my own life. Some of the hardest experiences, the moments I’ve questioned the most, have also been some of the times of greatest growth and revealed purpose for me. Thank you for this beautiful encouragement, Marva. You’re right. God is in control. I’m so thankful we can trust Him.
I’m glad you were encouraged, Dawn. I think I’ve grown a lot more than I’m comfortable with these past few months. 🙂 But God surely knows best!
Blessings, my friend!
I love this Marva. God definitely has a purpose is our pain…a plan behind our pain. The more I look, the closer I look, the more He reveals it piece by piece.
Isn’t that amazing, Brittany? I think God knew that if He showed me the bigger picture I’d probably freak out. Lol. So He just clues me in piece by piece.
Glad it’s not just me, friend!