Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

When People Let You Down
by Tom Goodman
February 15, 2012

People sometimes disappoint us. And when we've been hurt by people we're tempted to withdraw into a shell. We isolate ourselves from everyone, going no deeper in a relationship than a routine greeting and safe conversations about sports and weather.

Maybe you're a single adult who has been let down by the opposite sex once or once to often, and now you refuse to risk your heart like that again.
Maybe you were offended by someone at a church in the past, and so you refuse to get close, to get involved, or even to get into anther church home.
Some close themselves off from a marriage partner when it is discovered that he or she is not 100% reliable 100% of the time.
Some refuse to go into positions of advancement at work because it would mean trusting others -- safer to stay unnoticed, doing your own work, trusting your own heart.

Listen: It is impossible to live life the way God wants it lived if you remain uninvolved with other people. That means stepping out on the limb, trusting someone else's reliability.

But you must not step out on that limb alone. No, trusting others must be done only when you've put your ultimate trust in the one who will never let you down.

That's the message of Psalm 62. David cries out:

How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down --
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

And yet he reminds himself:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

This Sunday, we'll draw strength from Psalm 62 to deal with the times that people let us down. Disappointment with people tempts us to withdraw defensively from life. Trust in the God who will never let us down -- the God who enables us to get back out there again.

It's part of our sermon series called "Growing Pains of the Soul." Join us @ 10 a.m. this Sunday to find out more.

--Tom

Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here.

Check out my weblog here.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
When People Let You Down by Tom Goodman February 15, 2012 People sometimes disappoint us. And when we've been hurt by people we're tempted to withdraw into a shell. We isolate ourselves from everyone, going no deeper in a relationship than a routine greeting and safe conversations about sports and weather. Maybe you're a single adult who has been let down by the opposite sex once or once to often, and now you refuse to risk your heart like that again. Maybe you were offended by someone at a church in the past, and so you refuse to get close, to get involved, or even to get into anther church home. Some close themselves off from a marriage partner when it is discovered that he or she is not 100% reliable 100% of the time. Some refuse to go into positions of advancement at work because it would mean trusting others -- safer to stay unnoticed, doing your own work, trusting your own heart. Listen: It is impossible to live life the way God wants it lived if you remain uninvolved with other people. That means stepping out on the limb, trusting someone else's reliability. But you must not step out on that limb alone. No, trusting others must be done only when you've put your ultimate trust in the one who will never let you down. That's the message of Psalm 62. David cries out: How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down -- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? And yet he reminds himself: Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. This Sunday, we'll draw strength from Psalm 62 to deal with the times that people let us down. Disappointment with people tempts us to withdraw defensively from life. Trust in the God who will never let us down -- the God who enables us to get back out there again. It's part of our sermon series called "Growing Pains of the Soul." Join us @ 10 a.m. this Sunday to find out more. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.