In life there will be disappointments. It could be a loss of a job, a failed test, a broken relationship, a loss of a sports contest, or a poor grade. The question is not if we will have disappointments, but how to go about dealing with disappointment?
Our sinful human tendency is to deal with disappointment on our own instead of asking God for help. Have you reacted to disappointments and wished you would have handled it differently? I believe we all have. What did the Lord teach you though this?
Esau’s Disappointment
In our story, Isaac was getting quite old and he wanted to bless his oldest son Esau. Rebekah, his wife, heard about this and developed a plan for her favorite son, Jacob, to impersonate Esau and receive the blessing. Initially, the plan looked successful, but Jacob had not counted on the anger of Esau.
Genesis 27:41 From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.” 42 But Rebekah heard about Esau’s plans. So she sent for Jacob and told him, “Listen, Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. 43 So listen carefully, my son. Get ready and flee to my brother, Laban, in Haran.[1].
Esau was extremely disappointed that his brother had stolen his blessing and threatened to kill his brother in response. Obviously, this is a very unhealthy and immature way in dealing with disappointment.
If you stop and consider the Bible is full of disappointed people such as Moses, David, Job, and Hannah. Even Jesus experienced disappointment on many levels during His life. A few of these disappointments include: disobedience of His followers, unbelief, and hypocritical mindsets. The good thing is that those biblical characters all overcame disappointment to accomplish their goals and do great things and you can also!
How can the Lord help us deal with disappointments?[2]
- Recognize your disappointment and talk to Jesus It is so important that we don’t let our hurts become open wounds. Recognize that you are disappointed and run to the Great Physician and pour your heart to Him. The Psalms are filled with stories of people pouring out their heart to the Lord. We cannot survive alone without Christ. The Bible warns us that it is better to trust in the Lord than put our confidence in man. Jeremiah 8:22Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people? [3]
- Place your problems in perspective In the aftermath of a disappointment, it is often difficult to see it with a different lens. One thing that has helped me in dealing with disappointment is asking myself: Will this matter one year from now? One month? One week? Often asking this question brings me back to reality. Writing your feelings and thoughts down can also help you to express frustration, anger, fear, and other negative feelings. This has also helped me. Doing so will help to take the focus off your disappointment and enable you to see that perhaps your situation is not as bad as you thought, and that tomorrow will be a better day.
- Remember Jesus is walking with you and helping you on your journey When I remember Jesus is always with me and walking with me enables me to move forward with His strength and love for me. Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.[4]
Prayer
Dear Father, how my heart aches as I bow before you. I thought I knew best, but it didn’t happen that way. Now I feel so disappointed. In the situation, in the outcome, and in life. Negative thoughts are swarming my mind; I need trust in your plan to replace them. Weakness engulfs my spirit; I need you to flood it with strength. Joy has been hijacked from my heart; I need filled as only you can. May praise return to my lips, for you never disappoint. Amen. [5]
To hear more about Esau’s disappointment, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-isaac
[1,3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] https://millcreekchristiancounseling.com/christian-counselors-response-disappointment-part-1/
[4] The New King James Version. (1982). (Php 4:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[5] https://rachelwojo.com/a-prayer-for-when-you-feel-disappointed/