Disappointment happens! It’s not “if,” but “when.” Do you remember the first time you realized that everyone is not going to like you? What a shock! Or, what about the “reality check” the first time you lost a game or came in second place in a contest or competition? The only super man is the fictitious character in the movies. People will disappoint you and sometimes you will disappoint yourself.
Unfortunately, life isn’t all roses, rainbows, and mountaintop experiences. It takes rain to make a rose, a storm to make a rainbow, and a valley to make a mountain. You can’t control disappointment, but you can change your response. Operate in forgiveness. Don’t allow your disappointment in people to hinder your faith in God. He will never fail or disappoint you.
Deuteronomy 4:31 (AMP)
“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not fail you…”
Practical Application and Assignments:
When you learn to put your disappointment into perspective, you will avoid discouragement. The way you handle disappointment will affect every area of your life.
- Compare life to a pie that is cut into seven slices, each piece representing a different area of your life. For example: God, church, marriage, relationships, education, career, and finances. Suppose there is a breakdown in one of these areas. If you continually focus on the problem areas, you will become overwhelmed with anxiety. Instead of having a bad day, you start having a bad life.
- Refuse to allow situations that are beyond your control to invade every area of your life. Concentrate a part of your energy and attention on the “rest of the pie.”
- Give God the pieces you can’t fix. Trust Him with the things you don’t understand. Remain objective through each crisis. Sometimes our disappointments are God’s appointments.
“Fear not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will uphold thee.” Isaiah 41:10
