Disappointment is a vicious and debilitating enemy. It can cause you to be so emotionally disturbed that you will be unable to think effectively. As a result, you cut off the creative forces that are ready to help you. Disappointment can strike you at almost any time, so it’s important that you learn to deal with it.
First and foremost, don’t let disappointment shake your belief in the goodness of God. “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35). When disappointment strikes, hold tightly to your faith. Say, “I am still confident. I still believe.” It will require mental and spiritual effort to maintain this confidence in God and in yourself, but it is your road to better things.
Thank God every day; there’s always a reason to do so. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Start thanking the Lord for all the blessings he has given you. Do this instead of mentally—and perhaps vocally—harping on what has been denied you. You’ll be amazed how much better your life will look when you saturate it with thanksgiving!
God wants you to be happy where you are with what you’ve got. “Be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). The word “contentment” derives from two Latin words, con and tenere, meaning “to hold together.” When you have faith in God, your mind will “hold together” so efficiently that you can recover from disappointment. If you always remember that God is on your side, you can be content with whatever comes your way. And out of such contentment great things can happen.
When you don’t understand why things are happening the way they are, cling to this promise: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
When you are disappointed, examine yourself to make certain you are thinking and living in harmony with God’s purpose. It could be that you have wandered off the Godly path. Instead of dwelling upon the word “disappointment,” think of it as “God-appointment.” What you regard as a disappointment may actually be a wonderful new plan for your life—namely, His plan.
