When Life Disappoints
Man don’t disappointments sting? Don’t they sometimes feel like a punch in the gut, or a heart that is ripped apart? I hate disappointments. They remind me of everything wrong in the world. They remind me that I can’t control events, other people or outcomes. They remind us that we are fallen people who live in a fallen world, that will never be totally right until Jesus makes all things new.
As I write this, I have cried this morning because our son and daughter-in-law were due to fly in today from across the country. The flight was cancelled this morning. There were no other flights, no way to make it home for Christmas. I cried from just sheer disappointment.
I am totally aware that there are a million things worse, but still I feel the sting. I feel the sadness. I wish it had not happened. I am so disappointed.
What are we to do with our disappointments? We know we all experience them. We feel disappointed by so many different things, even by the thing we thought should not disappoint.
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He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’”
~Revelation 21:4-5
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I think there are a few things we must focus on and ask God to give us grace and strength to believe them and orient our minds towards.
· We will have disappointments, it can help us see life in this world for what it really is.
· We can acknowledge the disappointment, but then focus on what is good.
· Feeling disappointment helps us yearn for eternity, where we will never experience this again.
· Examine if we are looking for hope in our circumstances.
· Ask God what is He teaching us in this disappointment.
· Nothing is ever wasted for a believer, God will use everything that come into our lives, to reveal more of Him.
Disappointments may be temporary, less significant or have incredible impact. Let’s ask God to help us have eyes to see what our disappointments are revealing about us, and to us.
~Carla