Dealing with Disappointment

The Word for Today
18 Feb 2009

Dealing with disappointment (1)
'...Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him...' 1 Samuel 3:19

Welcome to life; disappointment guaranteed! Webster defines disappointment as, 'When expectations fail to be met, producing anger, frustration, sadness and discouragement.'

Here are some examples to help you when:

1) You're disappointed with those you look up to. Think of Samuel and Eli (1 Samuel 1-4). Samuel's mother entrusted her child to Eli the High Priest, confident he'd mentor and prepare him for God's service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak, passive parent who stood by while his sons abused their priestly privilege, bringing shame and disrepute to the ministry.

Who'd have blamed young Samuel for taking a nose dive when the man he looked up to failed so badly? But no, he fielded his disappointment and kept his eyes on God: 'Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.' As a result God turned him into one of Israel's greatest prophets. So keep your eyes on the Lord.

2) You're disappointed in those you live with. If anyone wouldn't let you down, surely it would be your family. Right? Wrong! Ask young Joseph. When God promised him a big promotion he thought his brothers would celebrate. Instead they responded with jealousy, ridicule and resentment, selling him into slavery.

Far from friends and home he languished in prison for a crime he didn't commit. What an invitation to bitterness, to rehearsing the wrongs done him while plotting his revenge. But if he'd done that he'd have died an unknown convict in a foreign jail. Instead he allowed God to vindicate him, using his circumstances to position, prepare and promote him to being Egypt's Prime Minister: and that's how you deal with disappointment.

Dealing with disappointment (2)
'Now go, lead the people...' Exodus 32:34
Here are two more types of disappointment you'll deal with in life:

1) Disappointment in those you work with and depend on. To succeed, you need people; you can't make it without them. And when those people fail you it's painful. Imagine Moses' disappointment. He leaves his brother Aaron in charge while he attends a summit conference with God and receives the Ten Commandments.
Returning, he finds Israel in anarchy, idolatry and unspeakable perversion. Where's Aaron? Leading the rebellion! When Moses needs him most, Aaron fails him miserably.

But watch Moses; true leadership shines in deep disappointment. He confronts Aaron, takes the mess to God for resolution, and prays forgiveness for Israel. God listens, and then reminds Moses of his assignment. '"...go, lead the people...my angel will go before you...'' (v. 34). Disappointment doesn't cancel your assignment - or God's presence. Do what He sent you to do.

2) Disappointment in those you've poured your life into. Let's check in again with Moses, Founding Pastor of The Church of the Critical and the Ungrateful, a congregation of former slaves, delivered, abundantly blessed, en route to the Promised Land, but without a shred of loyalty or gratitude for the man who put everything on the line to make it possible.

Fresh out of Egypt they turn on Moses, accusing, blaming and berating him (Exodus 14). Was Moses disappointed and hurt? Yes. But each time he wanted to quit he'd discuss it with God, pray for his complaining flock, receive fresh orders from headquarters and return to work. It's what God-called men and women do when they're disappointed and feel like giving up.

Dealing with disappointment (3)
'But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.' 2 Corinthians 4:7

Finally there's:
Disappointment in ourselves. It's potentially the most debilitating kind of disappointment because it can throw you into a downward spiral that's hard to stop or recover from.

Peter had sworn undying love and fidelity to Jesus. 'Lord, everybody else may abandon you, but not me! I'm yours till death' (Matthew 26:33-35 paraphrased), and he meant every word of it. But under the pressures surrounding the crucifixion he yields, and three times denies knowing Jesus.

Later, remembering Jesus' words, '"Before the rooster crows...you will deny me three times"' Peter, heartbroken by his own dismal failure, '...went outside and wept bitterly' (Luke 22:62 NIV). Ever asked, 'God, how can you possibly use someone as messed up as me?' Peter failed to meet his own expectations and went on a downer.

But Jesus wasn't shocked. He was well aware of Peter's flaws when he called him into the ministry. He also knew that his blustering, outspoken disciple had a tender heart, so He extended grace to him rather than remove him from office.

When Christ gave post-resurrection orders to '...tell his disciples and Peter...' Mark 16:7 NIV) to meet Him in Galilee, He reaffirmed His choice of the failed disciple. The rest of Peter's story is New Testament history.

When not if you confront failure:

a) don't add insult to injury by letting disappointment mire you in hopelessness and despair

b) humble yourself and repent. Confess your sin; don't excuse, rationalize or blame circumstances and people

c) receive God's grace and forgiveness by faith, not by feelings. Don't let Satan convince you your case is beyond grace

d) get whatever help you need to get back on track; sooner, not later.

-The Word for Today

***
Lord, I am going to trust in You and You alone. You shall never ever disappoint me. In you I take refuge.
On You, my Rock of Salvation I shall stand firm and watch your marvelous works in my life unfold.

Pastor Linh