Dealing with disappointment

Disappointment is a part of life. Pastor Rick Warren defines disappointment this way: “when life’s expectations don’t meet life’s realities.” Sometimes you don’t get the job, make the sale, close the deal. Sometimes you lose the game, oversleep, miss the bus. Sometimes people let you down. Sometimes you let others down… no doubt you have let God down along the way. So what do you do when things don’t go the way you envisioned?

Sunday at Watermark, we looked at Ruth’s story. Things didn’t go her way… she lost her father-in-law, later her brother-in-law and her husband. She had a tough decision at that point. Go back to her family and search for a new husband or stay with her mother-in-law, care for her and try to survive. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, was beyond disappointed; she was distressed and disillusioned. She was ready to change her name to Mara, which mean bitter.

Have you ever been there? Maybe you are there today, disappointed, bitter about the direction your life has taken. Disappointed in someone or in your circumstances. What will you do? Consider the attitude of the Psalmist:

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

6 Now this I know:

The Lord gives victory to his anointed.

He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary

with the victorious power of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

8 They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:1,6-8

You have two options when you are disappointed, distressed, in despair…

1) You can give up. Throw in the towel, walk out, hang it up. A lot of people do.

OR

2) You can RISE UP! Trust in the Lord and be lifted up!

C.S. Lewis, in his book The Problem of Pain, says in summary of Job’s suffering (his disappointment on steroids), that we may never know the specific reason for his/our suffering, but one truth remains, when you don’t understand, trust in God.

Believe that God can and will deliver on his promises! 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. God had a plan for Ruth and Naomi. He lays out a path of redemption for them. And He has laid out a plan of redemption for you! For far more, listen to My Imperfect Family - Part 4 - Disappointment.