Dealing With Disappointment

Disappointment.

A word I know all too well.

A word I'm sure many of you are way too familiar with as well. I mean let's be honest, who doesn't get disappointed?

We set so many high expectations for ourselves and for others that we basically set ourselves up for failure time and time again. It's a hard thing to cope with, and it's even harder to overcome.

You and I have so many different disappointments in our lives I'm sure, but regardless of the differences, the pain is equally the same. And even after our best efforts to leave them in our past, they remain lingering in hearts, hurting us time and time again.

Feeling disappointed is a natural feeling we have as humans. I don't believe it to be a sin, and I don't think it's wrong to be disappointed with ourselves or even with other people. However, I do believe that the feelings of bitterness, anger, and depression that often follow our disappointments are the things in our lives that cause us to stumble, and that's why I'm writing this post.

Dealing with disappointment

1. Trust God and His plan for your life. I feel like we hear this so much that we take for granted who we are actually being told to trust. Seriously though... why do we seem to always just brush it off when someone tells us to trust in God, His plan, and His timing?

Our God moves mountains, raises the dead, and heals the sick. He has the power to bless, curse, and save whoever He wishes. He is almighty, He is all-knowing, and He is perfect. Our best interests are always on His mind, and He never lets go of our hands regardless of the numerous times we think we have let go of His.

I'm sitting here begging you to seriously sit back and TRUST GOD. He has you and each of your disappointments in His hand. He knows what He is doing, and His plans for your life are far greater and way bigger than anything you could ever imagine.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts" says the Lord "And my ways are far beyond anything you could ever imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
- Isaiah 55:8-9 

2. Pray. I'm sure you expected this one, but seriously sit down and pour out your heart to your Father. It's okay to cry. It's okay to tell Him that you are hurting, confused, and broken. It is okay! He wants you to come to Him and to share your heart with Him.

Your prayers don't have to be perfect by any means. They don't have to use elaborate words and perfect sentences like the church pastor. Just talk to God like He's your best friend. Be honest with Him. Explain to Him why you are hurting and why you have your feelings of confusion and brokenness. Believe me; He wants to comfort you, and He can't wait to give you His peace. You simply must ask.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
 - Psalm 34:18

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
 - Philippians 4:6-7

3. Sit back and wait. I'm not a very patient person, so I have a hard time with this one. However, it is a vital part of the process of dealing with disappointment. God blesses us when we pray and when we wait patiently for Him to answer our prayers. He often blesses us far beyond our expectations when we least expect it. So keep praying and keep trusting. He won't leave you, and He won't forget about you or your feelings.

"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." 
- Psalms 27:14

Don't let disappointments have control over your life anymore. They do not define you! Give your disappointments and heartaches over to your Heavenly Father. Let Him mold you and shape you through them. Allow yourself to be so consumed by Him and what He's doing in your life that your disappointments eventually turn into blessings.

Our God can do that for us! And it is beautiful when He does!