Treat Disappointment the Right Way

Who among us has never been disappointed? In life, we have all surely been let down by one thing or another. The forms and patterns of disappointment vary, including:

1. Disappointed every time a small hope or desire does not come to pass (a vacation together gets canceled, not getting a bonus from work, the food menu item you wanted to order is sold out). The cause seems trivial and the duration is short.
2. Disappointed for a while because of losing someone or something valuable (a close friend grows distant, losing a job). It is temporary, because after getting a replacement, that disappointment is healed.
3. Disappointment deep because of a major loss or change in life (the death of a loved one, divorce, falling into poverty, chronic illness). It is profound, lasts a long time, and can even be permanent.

Of the three, it is the last type that often makes our lives suffer. Are you struggling with a disappointment that has long been troubling you, that keeps stabbing at your soul, even though you try to forget it?

How do we overcome disappointment according to the Bible?

Which Matters More?

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him. – Lamentations 3:24

Most people are disappointed because their desires, hopes, dreams, or plans do not come to pass. For example:

• not succeeding in becoming a professional figure in their field or failing to finish college because of financial factors;
• hoping to get married at the age of 25, but after ten years, still not finding a partner;
• reaching the 10th year of marriage and still not being blessed with children. Continuing to long for a biological child even after adopting a child;
• wanting to own a house before getting married, but even by the birth of yet another child, still living in a boarding house or a rental;
• and, most painful of all: only recently married, but their spouse has already been called home by the Lord.

Those who experience severe disappointment like this also ask in their hearts:

“Why does God not answer my prayer, even though He is God, who is able to do all things?”

“It seems that God does not want to see me happy. Everything I want is never granted.”

“Why do other people get so easily what they want, while I, even after struggling so hard, still end up like this? God is not fair!”

Before you say such things, try to reflect on which matters more: your dreams, hopes, plans, desires, or God? Do you realize that when we remain disappointed for a long time or keep living in disappointment, it means God is not more important than all our ambitions?

Make God the best portion in your life, not other things, and hope only in Him. Remember that only God can satisfy every desire and emptiness in your heart, and He never disappoints you.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. – Romans 5:5 

You Lack Not One Good Thing

Young lions suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. – Psalm 34:10 

God promises that those who seek Him will lack no good thing.

But how could that be, you may think, when I am still sick, have no children, no brilliant career, no spouse, no house?

The answer is simple. If the things you want are good in God's sight, He will surely give them to you!

Why up to this moment has God still not given what you long for?

It may be because it is not good for you right now. God wants you to have more faith, trust, and perseverance in prayer. Perhaps He wants you to depend more on Him, not on your own strength. Or, God wants to show that He can grant your desire in His own way and according to His own timing.

So, be assured that you do not lack one good thing, because if it is good, God will surely give it to you.

Change Your Perspective

Indeed, I count everything as loss because the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord is more glorious than all. For His sake I have let go of all these things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:8 

The source of our disappointment is basically caused by two things: people or circumstances. People who hurt you, cause you loss, fail to meet your expectations, or circumstances that do not support your situation.

When disappointed, you will be faced with two possible responses: to sink down and grow farther from God, or instead draw closer to God.

Paul chose the second response. Once he came to know who God truly is, he considered everything he had as loss and rubbish, because his knowledge of God was more glorious than all things.

The decision is in your hands. You can keep sinking in disappointment, then drift away from God and blame everything that happens in life. Or, you can make that disappointment a driving force to draw nearer to God.

Accept the Circumstances

Speaking of the biblical figure who swallowed the most disappointment, perhaps that person was Moses.

After escaping death as a baby because of his mother's faith, Moses became Pharaoh's adopted son. Even though he lived in luxury and received the best education in Egypt, he saw his own people become slaves. When he helped a Hebrew slave who was being beaten by an Egyptian soldier and hoped his people would understand his good intentions, they rejected him instead (Exodus 2:11-14). Moses had every right to be disappointed with his people.

As a result of that incident, Moses fled and became a shepherd for 40 years (Exodus 3:1). How bleak his future was! Now Moses had reason to be disappointed with his circumstances.

At the height of it, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. He was also forbidden to cross the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 3:27), and was not even allowed to pray about it (Deuteronomy 3:26). Moses, who had struggled for decades leading his people through the wilderness, had to be content to view the Promised Land from the mountaintop before he died.

However, as written in Deuteronomy 34:10-12, no prophet ever again performed such great miracles as Moses had done. And, for His servant who remained faithful to the end, God caused Moses' name to be remembered throughout the ages.

Sometimes we cannot change circumstances. When that happens, you must learn to accept them and keep trusting in God's presence. Only in that way can you have an abundant life in every situation.

I can endure all things through Him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13 

Come on, overcome that disappointment and get ready to receive the best from God! - Church GKDI currently exists in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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