When You Don't Get What You Want

But grow in grace…. 2 Peter 3:18

Losing is a part of life. We don’t always get what we want. These losses provide us with an opportunity for the development of our character. How do you handle disappointment when the promotion you applied for, goes to someone else? How do we react when our idea, proposal, or invitation gets rejected.

To live is to lose. But to lose badly, without grace, can be lethal. For instance…

• The president of a company has an agenda for change that is dead in the water. No one wants it. But he’s stubborn and won’t take no for an answer, so he gets forced compliance instead. People in his company don’t resist him openly, but they sabotage his agenda. He loses their respect and loyalty. He was not willing to lose gracefully on his agenda, so instead he (and his company) lose in matters of far greater importance.

The apostle Peter, who was known for being bull-headed, had grown wiser and more mature, so he writes, “Grow in grace.” When you don’t get what you want – be gracious!