Living with Disappointment
Living with Disappointment
Life is filled with disappointment. In the last week I talked to a man who did not get a job that he had hoped for, a woman who broke up with her boyfriend, a young couple whose child was born with physical challenges, and a young man who lost his job. Life is filled with disappointment, but how you respond to disappointment can make all the difference!
The bible speaks often of the challenges and disappointments of life. The Scriptures teach us to:
Ø Expect disappointment…it’s a part of life. Although we would like to avoid disappointment, it is impossible. If you expect disappointment in life you will not be surprised when it comes and you will be ready to face it with the right attitude. The actor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two decades ago at the height of his career. Twenty years later he is still alive and still battling for his life. He says, “Life gets really good when things get terrible. We all make plans, and somewhere along the way, life will create holes, and we can fill them in ways we didn’t plan or expect.”
Ø Give your disappointment to God. King David was one of the most powerful and influential kings in the history of Israel. Yet David experienced incredible disappointment (three of his children died; one of his sons – Absalom, tried to kill him take over his kingdom). David learned to thank God for the successes of life and to give God the disappointments of life. David writes in Psalm 61, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the ends of the earth will I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” God might not always remove disappointment from your life, but he will be there to love you, walk within you and hold you in the midst of disappointment.
Ø Ask God for his joy even in the midst of disappointment. David writes in Psalm 63, while he was on the run for his life from Absalom, “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy”. Yes, it is possible to have joy even when you are going through incredible disappointment, especially if you are in the shadow of God’s wings! Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11). Our joy is often made the fullest when we believe God and trust him through very difficult situations in life. Even though he struggles daily with Parkinson’s disease Michael J. Fox said, “My life is richer because of the holes”.
Life is so much more than what we see with our eyes or experience. Life is about a daily walk with God that begins on this earth and lasts into eternity. The bible teaches that God deeply cares about your disappointments. I Peter 5:7 reads, “Casting all your cares upon him because he cares for you.” God wants you to trust him with the disappointments of life and allow him to build faith and trust into your heart as he provide for your needs.
Michael J. Fox says, “My illness forced me to spend time with my family, to work on the important things in life. My life is so much richer because of it. It’s altered my reality in such a positive way.” David writes in Psalm 61, “For you, O God, have heard my prayers, you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” Trust God with your disappointment and he will see you through the storm!