Handling disappointment (III)

We have been looking at the issue of handling disappointment. We have seen how to handle and deal with disappointment because disappointment will always come in your journey through life. “Everyone experiences times of frustration and distress over unfulfilled plans or dreams. When things don’t go the way we hope, it is normal to feel disappointment. But we must be careful how we deal with that feeling, because if we remain in a state of disappointment for too long, it can turn into discouragement, despair, and even depression.” Joyce Meyer

How to handle disappointment.

a)   Know it is common to man so there is nothing wrong with you—just know how to handle it.

b)   Resolve never to allow anything/anybody to steal/affect your joy and peace.

c)    Give people allowance they might disappoint. Implicit trust in anyone is dangerous. Implicit – unquestionable or unreserved absolute – trust is setting yourself up for disappointment. Man will always be man, only God is infallible.

d)   Effective communication will minimize misunderstanding and consequently disappointment.

f)     Diligent and effective plan. Plan with every possibility in mind.

–      Envisage loopholes, eventualities.

–      Develop foresight. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3

g)    Feedback and reviews. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

h)   Pray.

“When I bring my disappointments to God, I position myself to receive His comfort. Sharing my hurts in prayer, then searching God’s Word for His response opens communication between me and the One who knows my heart better than I do. King David models this for us throughout the psalms. In Psalm 42, he beautifully demonstrated how we can speak truth to our soul, even from the depths of our discouragement.

He’ll never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). He’ll be our advocate (1 John 2:1), our refuge (2 Sam. 22:3), and our strong tower (Prov. 18:10).

He’ll comfort and quiet us (Isaiah 51:12), surround us with His love (Psalm 33:22), and, one day, He’ll wipe all the tears from our eyes (Rev. 21:4).

Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, prayed what one author called “the prayer of relinquishment.” After He begged God to allow the cup of suffering to pass from Him, He chose to trust God and surrendered His will to the Father. He knew, as Joni Earekson Tada’s pastor, Steve Estes once said, “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”

For me, this type of prayer sounds something like this: “Lord, you know what I hoped would happen in this situation/relationship. As best I can tell, my desires honored you. But I don’t know everything you know. I acknowledge that your ways are higher than my ways, and your thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). I also know you use the most unlikely means to accomplish the most beautiful ends. Help me trust you, for my good and your glory.”

One day, Jesus will triumph over death, hell, and the grave. He’ll wipe the disappointed tears from our faces one last time and show us how “our momentary light affliction [produced] for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).

Until then, disappointment will be part of our human experience. When we encounter it, it’s okay to weep. With God’s help, we can prayerfully examine our expectations, take comfort in God’s promises, bring our desires to Him, and surrender to His will.

In our own strength, this is impossible, but with God’s help, we can do it. Each new disappointment brings another opportunity to trust Him. When we do, He comforts our hearts and grows our faith.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).”  Lori Hatchet

TO BE CONTINUED.

READ ALSO: Handling disappointment (II)