Disappointment

I heard a statement on the radio yesterday.  She said, “Sometimes disappointments are really His appointments.”  She was trying to convey the idea that God is still around and active even when things don’t go the way we expected.

American Christians seem to have this idea that everything will work out and we’ll all “live happily ever after.”  When things aren’t going well in our lives, we struggle with disappointment, but deep down inside we know we can get through this because we’re expecting the happy ending.  The problem is that God never promises that everything will work out for us.  In fact, He does a pretty good job of telling us quite the opposite.

“In this world you will have trouble.”  John 16:33
“You must be on your guard.  You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.”  Mark 13:9
“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial…”  Mark 13:11
“All men will hate you because of Me.”  Mark 13:13
“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering.”  1 Peter 4:12

Paul was locked up, Stephen was stoned, Peter was killed, John was exiled.  I could go on…..but the point is, why do we expect Jesus to come in and save the day and rescue us from the uncomfortable circumstances we find ourselves in?

So today, when you experience disappointment, whether in someone else, yourself, or the circumstances you face, rather than wait it out hoping for a happy ending, find peace knowing that God is with you.