Disappointment

We do not believe your shortcomings are defaults, defects, as we have the longer range view. You know that a shortcoming acknowledges a less-than-desired attainment, but this word would be better dropped and instead substituted with the word acknowledge where you can see ahead to what is attainable. In a sense I will break down knowledge into two words: acknowledge and ledge. A ledge, like a cliff over a chasm, appears ominous and difficult to cross. When you perceive these shortcomings, you are gaining your knowledge; you now know what to work on. At these times shift to discerning the means whereby you may cross the chasm of inexperience, of lack of understanding. Seek ways in which you may provide revelation landfill that may help you bridge over to the solid ground you seek at a higher level of behavior. My purpose in expressing this to you today is to attempt to draw your attention away from failure at execution and place it upon your success in perceiving what is attainable. When you break something, the first impulse is to seek to fix it. This applies not only to objects but to your own personality ascent. Cultivate the reflexive action toward reparation and acquirement of higher skills. Make your recognition of shortcoming but a fleeting moment that catapults you into your new project for growth. There is far too much work and time to be spent  attaining this new level to be wasted brooding over your failures.

Malvantra: I would add some more to the words of Evanson. I would suggest that you adopt the strategy of turning your disappointments into what you would perhaps consider to be the exact opposite. Look with excitement upon your disappointments, for they have shown you your next growth level; they have pointed out to you that aspect of your being that should be focused on to become a more perfect, more complete soul. Indeed, we look upon your realization of your shortcomings, as you see them, as a breakthrough in which the doors are open to growth, to the challenge presented before you of your apparent failure.

No individual is a perfect, complete unit, and in order to become more perfect you must, in your course of activities, discern where you are not perfect and where the work lies to change that situation. It is indeed a blessing for you to have the realization that a particular area of your being requires some service on your part. If you would look at this service to your own soul growth as you would look at the service you so eagerly seek to be about for other individuals, perhaps you would put into better perspective that the very sense of desiring to serve others can be turned inward toward your own soul growth. When an area of your soul growth is illuminated that needs and, indeed, requires your service, you should rejoice with this awareness, with this perception, for you now have some starting point to work to actually be of service to your own self. Therefore, when you perceive that you have failed, delight that you have shown yourself the area in which you need to focus and be of service to yourself so that your overall being can become more perfect. Every being is challenged with many such imperfections in their being, and it is the resolution of these imperfections which constitutes soul growth. 

Mortal living can bring many disappointments and crushing blows to the spirit. A man may perceive his adversities to be a chastisement from God. He may believe he has somehow earned his misfortune. He wonders what could he have done to deserve such adversity. What could he have done different? How
could he turn the tables in his favor? How might he escape this bitter reality? A man with this outlook is likely to become greatly discouraged, embittered and hopeless. His perception is narrowed to fit his one
dimensional thinking. This thinking recruits the spirit poisons, and difficulties that were not that bad, are now made worse.

Another man who has also experienced life's brutal difficulties may look to his Father and ask, what is the meaning of this, Father? This faithful man may perceive this to be a lesson in acquiring spiritual fruits. He knows in his mortal state his difficulties are only landmarks upon his eternal path. His difficulties are stepping stones to higher learning. His broad vision allows him to go beyond the ego to an overall good that serves everyone. This man is observant in watching Father work within his problems. Using the
stillness mind he is open for Father's suggestions and solutions. This man can perceive his difficulties without fear or unknowing or loneliness, for Father has promised His assistance.

In learning to remain steadfast in faith and persevere through difficulties, it is important that you perceive your mortal life as if you are standing at the beginning of all eternity — because this is so. These mortal problems that plague you today are exercises in which you become strengthened by, to advance spiritually. There is not an escape, you see. There is not a way to advance without having these experiences which strengthen those spiritual muscles.

In learning to carry on one must be aware of how you perceive your difficulties. Is Father the cause of your difficulties? No. Is He available to show them to be valuable? Yes. Is He showing them to be with meaning?
Yes. Is mortal difficulties a frown from Heaven or a lesson in spiritual advancement? Yes, it's all in how you perceive your difficulties. You stand at the beginning of eternity. Expand your vision and embrace the entire
view. Do not cheat yourself by decreasing the view to ego size or allowing the spirit poisons to make worse what is already seemingly bad.

In the midst of your difficulties, what can you do to repel the spirit poisons, like self-pity, anger, or depression from setting in? Certainly worship and prayer are extremely helpful. Stillness time is a wonderful
asset of course, yes. To be observant though refrains you from acting  out — using those spirit poisons. Being watchful, as if you were beside yourself, is a benefit that the Master used quite often.

Jesus when confronted with adversity did not scream out in panic or make foolish and rash decisions, no. He stopped and consulted with Father — what is the meaning of this? How can I endure through this? It is difficult I know to be patient in these trials, but to act upon feelings of anxiety only draws you closer to those spirit poisons.

In your practicality can you be faithful that Father will show you how to make good use of your adversities? He can show you how to take those feelings of despair or anxiety and put them to work in a spiritual way. Can you perceive your adversities as stepping stones to higher learning? Can you broaden your vision to perceive an overall picture of Father's plan? Can you be beside yourself and be observant? The mastering of these techniques will surely lead you to understand the true meaning of strength and endurance.

The Master's difficulties on many occasions left Him in great emotional distress. Of course, there was His divine stamina ever standing by, but on many occasions His human heart felt that destructive torture that every mortal must experience. Was He emotional at times? Yes, of course. Did this serve Him? Yes, certainly. It was a release of His human will towards embracing His divine will.

Your emotions are for a reason; hide them not. Allow them to release and know that there is not a tear that you can cry that Father does not know the meaning of, yes. The spiritual lessons are not mandatory, no, but there is no escape from them either. Even the Master experienced great emotional release in the laying down of His will to taking up the Father's.

Be not afraid to discuss with one another these mortal trials. Be not afraid to allow your emotions to release the human will to aligning with the Father's. When you become comfortable with the divine will then your trials are not so big, not so overwhelming. You can find strength from that source within, the source of all strength. You can master your difficulties and not be enslaved to them when you are in alignment with Father's will and wholeheartedly willing to drink the cup.

The working out of your human thoughts may take some time alone with Father. To be emotional is not weakness, but a slow transformation of will.