When we encounter what we perceive as a failed expectation of a desired result, what should be our mood, or state of mind.
Desired conclusions

Of course my life verse has always been Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
"For to me, to live is (to experience and manifest) Christ and to die is gain (to experience and manifest Christ even more)." - Philippians 1:21 (my brother’s point of view)

I have desired much in the flesh, to see accomplished many things, because I have believed I could be a source of help or blessings.

Many times I have been disappointed because of my own expectations. Too often I have viewed them as failed desires, because I did not see the accomplishment of that desire. (The desired conclusions failed to materialize)

Too often in the flesh we often find ourselves in a mood of unhappiness. Which could be described as a mood of emotions, which could lead to depression (refers to a state of unhappiness, or sadness). As a result of what we believe to be an unfortunate incident or event, or choice, or even an expectation we believed would happen.

That seems to happen with regularity, that is, a desired result, of what you prayed for, wished for, hoped would happen or what you might even worked hard for would happen.

One might, as I have, work literally a whole year on a project and have great expectations of a desired result, and it fails to work out as you had desired in your mind. My brother called this "failed expectations."

As humans with fleshly baggage (sinful reactions) we can become sorrowful, downcast, cheerless, even distressed. I could add, not satisfied, displeased, or even discontented.

So how do we correct this mood? (refer to a state of unhappiness or sadness)

Personally, I believe the reaction is human. But to stay in the mood is sinful as well as destructive. There are fleshly ways of dealing with the mood of feeling the failure, the misery, or unhappiness, but often are very destructive as well.

Psa. 2:12b "Blessed are all they that put their trust in the Lord." I Peter 2:3 (after reading verse 2) "if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

We need to quickly "taste (experience) and see that the Lord is good" Bringing our focus and attention back to the presence of the Lord. It’s called 'Practice the Presence of the Holy Spirit."
"For me to live........?" What is your reason for living? If your reason to live is Christ, then He will provide.

Over the last five years since living in Portsmouth Ohio, there have been some really good experiences that have been so satisfying. And there have been experiences that have been really disappointing to the family.

God is not so trivial that he defines sin in the context of contemporary culture (which would necessitate the standard of right and wrong being in continual flux). Rather, He defines sin as anything that demeans His infinite beauty and glory (which supersedes culture). Worldliness, whether we want to admit it or not, goes much deeper than what is culturally acceptable; worldliness goes to the heart of the issue ... our hearts."Once you begin to define (set rules) what is OK and what is not OK, you lose.

Drafted by Charles E. Whisnant December 26, 2006 Proof Checked by Charity 29th