Sometimes I feel a little disappointed...

Have you ever had something disappoint you or been disappointed by something? Of course, we all have at some point in our lives. Disappointment is a feeling I prefer not to experience. I do not like to be disappointed, nor do I like to disappoint. I know throughout my life, some of my decisions have disappointed or have been a disappointment to family and friends because of decisions that affected them, my relationship with them, and me personally. I can honestly say that disappointing them was unintentional. Although some of the decisions I made have been "intentional" because those decisions had to do with what I deemed as proper or correct, based on the values instilled in me throughout my life and my belief in following a Christ-centered life, which I am almost positive is who I have disappointed the most in my life.

As crazy as it might sound, occasionally, it takes a painful disappointment to teach us a skill, strengthen our faith, or put us in the right place at the right time. Now I am not advocating we run out and test this by disappointing someone or ourselves. However, even in the critical moments in our life, God is in control of the situation. He is looking out for us. He is working out a plan that is bigger than we are, and we are going to be better for it in the end. What makes you say that you ask? It is written in Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not disaster to give you a future and a hope." 

"…a future and a hope". Isn't that wonderful to know? So, we ask, how do we overcome life's little disappointments? First, we must believe in God's plan as it is written in Jeremiah. This is God's assurance to the people of His plans to prosper them and give them a hopeful future. Even when we do not see immediate results, we can remain assured of God's ultimate blessing and benefit. The fruit may not come immediately, but it will come ultimately.

We must grieve a little when things have not gone as we wanted. When our hopes and expectations have been defeated, we need some quiet time to be sad, mourning the way we thought things would be. Once we fight through grief, we need to remember disappointment is not meant to define us or hold us hostage. Remember, there is a greater plan for our lives, and we cannot give it power. We must overcome.

You had to know this next one was coming; we should pray. Spend some time talking to your Heavenly Father. Tell Him your heartache. Tell Him about the plans you had and ask Him to show you why He's taken them away. I promise you that He has good in this for you, and it's okay to ask Him what that good is.

What's next? Listen and wait. Big things happen when we pray. Sometimes, they are blessings beyond our expectations. Sometimes they happen right away, but usually, they happen much later when we least expect them. You must keep waiting. You will know when the prayer has been answered.

We must look for the good when we have experienced disappointment. This is the time when it's most challenging - and most important - to find the good, grab onto it with both hands, and celebrate it. We need to. Every day is a new day, with a new beginning. We have a choice to wallow in self-pity or to move forward in our faith, hope, joy, and love. Psalm 118:24 provides the instruction for us to follow each day, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." It WILL make a difference and add value to our lives and the lives of others if we adopt this attitude.

I encourage each of us as leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations to understand we will have times in our lives when we are disappointed or disappoint others. We, as leaders, set an example for others, and we should not allow disappointment to take power over our lives. We should set the example of faith, hope, joy, and the unconditional love God provides us to overcome life's little pitfalls. Our example will become a teachable moment in the lives of others that will make a difference and add value. Jeremiah 29:11

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell