August 20, 2025
Have you ever thought that you believed some thing only to find out that you really don’t believe it as well as you thought?
That’s me! I keep learning this lesson over and over. One of those times really sticks with me though. A few years ago when I worked for the power company, I was passed over three times for a promotion. Two times those positions were filled with people that had less experience than me. Look, I know I shouldn’t have let this bother me, but it did. It really did. I’ve been through rejections before, over bigger things too, but this really tripped me up. I made a point this Sunday that right thinking leads to right feeling. Right thinking helps us filter and interpret the events in our lives. But I remember, I couldn’t seem to get my mind right. I took the rejection to heart and it lead me to anger. I let my anger about this situation rule me for a few months and I became bitter about it. That bitterness didn’t stay at work though. It spilled over into my family life. I took my frustration out on Lauren and my kids. I was impatient, I was short with them and I was too hard on them. I eventually had to repent of being such a jerk and ask the Lord to help me to move on.
I couldn’t see what I can clearly see now. That job wasn’t right for me. Honestly, the men who got the job over me those 3 times, didn’t even stay there because it sucked! The path that rejection lead me on was actually to some other jobs that allowed me to be more and more involved at our church. And here I am now: a pastor! I didn’t see that coming! It was never about being good enough, It was about God’s better plan for me.
I really wish I could have saved myself some time and heart ache, but it’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way. So, I guess its a lesson that sticks with me. I don’t need God to make things turn out the way I think they should go, I need Him to help me abound in love for Him and others as I get my mind right and understand what really matters – the righteous character produced in my life by Jesus Christ.
‘I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God. ‘
Philippians 1:9-11 NLT
This my prayer for you too!
His plan is a good one!
Love y’all and see you Sunday!
Tim Sewalt