Dealing with Disappointments
Have you expected something that did not happen or did not take place at the time you expected? We all have been in that situation at least once in our life. That person standing you up or the delivery that did not make it or the promotion or job you did not get. That pregnancy test that did not show positive, the healing that hasn't taken place yet, that spouse who has not changed his or her ways and that child who has gone wayward.The list can go on. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't find the strength to deal with the disappointment.
Lets take a look at the story of Jacob in Genesis 29, who fell in love with Rachael and wanted to marry her. He worked seven years to marry her only to be given another woman. How disappointing that was for Jacob. As if that was not enough, when he did get the chance to marry her, she could not have a baby. I am sure Jacob was cursing his stars for this mishap. Eventually Rachael was blessed with children too. This is just a scenario of how disappointing some situations can be.
Another story is Joseph in Matthew 1: 18-19, finding out that his bride to be is already pregnant. I am sure he was in a state of confusion at the time. It is only by faith that he was able to accept Mary as his wife. I know some of us in this day and age cannot relate to this disappointment but I am sure you cannot be convinced to marry a bride you haven't touched who is already pregnant. What we need to know is God can turn our disappointments into a blessing.
Jeremiah 29:11 says .."For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 1: 5 also says ..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, .........." This just goes to show that God only wants what is best for us. When we trust Him and put our every hope in Him, we can overcome every disappointment or obstacle in our life.
Romans 8:28 says ..." And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Yes I am sure that when Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and legs, his parents where disappointed and could not envision any future for him. He has since become a very instrumental person in society. Another person I admire is Joni Ereckson Tada. Since her accident that confined her in a wheelchair, making her a quadriplegic, she has become a very powerful evangelist. The point is, God can turn our disappointments in blessings when we allow him. When we give our all to Him,He can turn our mess into a message or testimony.
Whenever we feel our disappointments overwhelming us, let us remember Philippians 4:6 which says ...."Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
