Life is full of disappointments. We have all had our fair share of them. A miscarriage. A broken engagement. A job loss. An unfulfilled dream. An accident. The list goes on, ad infinitum. If we don’t handle disappointment properly, it can have grave consequences because disappointment leads to discouragement. Discouragement leads to disillusionment. Disillusionment leads to depression. And depression leads to defeat. 

God doesn’t want us to lead defeated lives, but he allows us to go through disappointments so he can bless us with good things. How does this work? Well, people and situations are fickle. People can change their opinion about us in an instant. And situations can change equally fast. The only thing that is unchanging in the universe is God. He is sovereign Lord, which means he is in control. He is also a good God, which means we can trust him. And why not? If we can trust God for eternal life, surely we can trust him to help us in the challenges of daily life. Besides, he invites us to share our burdens with him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

If we are willing to accept this, it will save us a lot of heartache and pain when people let us down, or things don’t happen as we expected them to, because we can share our disappointments with God, laying them at his feet and asking him to guide us through them. When we do this regularly, our dependence on him increases. We begin to put our trust in him rather than in people. We also realize that our destiny lies in his hands and is not controlled by events or circumstances around us. It sets us free. 

The trust also leads to obedience. We become willing to do whatever God asks without hesitation. Consequently, he can work in us and through us to accomplish his purpose for us and the world. This leads to rewards both in this world and the next (see Matthew 19:27‑29). 

Therefore, let us change how we react to disappointment. Instead of giving in to negative emotions, let us put our hope in God. He is pleased when he sees us put our hope in him. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11).

So, when you experience disappointment, don’t become bitter and unforgiving. Instead, run toward God and let him embrace you and comfort you. In addition to fulfilling his plan and purpose for your life, it will also deepen your relationship with God and let you experience his remarkable presence. 

What joy!