How to handle Disappointment

“How to Handle Disappointment”

Q—What do we do when disappointment comes?

“Disappointment is the emotion we feel when we realize that something we believed in, isn’t going to happen.  For this reason disappointment is an unexpected thing in our lives, because its primary cause is our unmet expectations.”  

“Disappointment is like lifting the fork to our mouths expecting cake, but tasting dirt instead.”

Psalm 42:10 [NLT], Their taunts break my bones.  They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”  

• You’re not the first person who has been disappointed in God, nor will you be the last. Nor are you the only person who has ever wrestled with those kinds of doubts.

• It is hard not to let the disappointment of today, blind us to the hope of tomorrow.

6 ways on how we handle disappointment

Luke 24:13-14 [NLT], That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.

1.  Express what you’re feeling

2.  Talk to someone

John 19:25-27 [NKJV], Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother… 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!”  And from that hour that disciples took her to his own home. 

Luke 24:15-16 [NLT], As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him. 

• Notice that Jesus wanted to know how they were feeling.

Luke 24:17-21 [NLT], He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”  They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19 “What things?” Jesus asked.  “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.  This all happened three days ago.” 

3.  Talk to God 

1 Peter 5:7 [NKJV], casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

Luke 24:22-27 [NLT], “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 

4.  Remember God is greater than your disappointment

Luke 24:25-27 [NLT], Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

5.  Be open to hear another perspective

Luke 24:28-31 [NLT], By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey.  Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.”  So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it.  Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  And at that moment he disappeared! 

6.  Understand God always has a plan

Q—Have you ever been deeply disappointed over something that didn’t turn out like you hoped, only to discover God had something better in mind? 

Deuteronomy 29:29, The Lord our God has secrets known to no one [the secret things belong to the Lord]. 

Isaiah 55:8-9, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” …“And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 [NLT], Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Romans 8:28 [NIV], “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.”

“When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out?  Of course not.  You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.”  —Corrie ten Boom

“Being challenged in life is inevitable—being defeated is optional.” 

Q—What disappointment are you processing today?