It is not a matter of if, but when, disappointment will happen in our life. How do you handle disappointment? Maybe you have experienced some disappointments in your life that took the wind out of your sails. It is not uncommon for people to be disappointed in a relationship, their station in life, or the loss of a loved one.
Perhaps you are struggling with disappointment, and you are wondering what to do. No matter the disappointment we are facing, the Lord is always with us and we can pour our hearts out to Him. Psalm 62:8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. [1]
Joseph Was Disappointed When Mary Was Pregnant
Joseph was engaged to Mary and was looking forward to marriage and starting a family. You can imagine the excitement that Joseph was experiencing as he thought about Mary and their future together. Then one day he realized she is pregnant. Did Mary tell him she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and about the angel visit by Gabriel? The Bible does not say. What we do know is that Joseph decided to extend God’s grace to Mary. Matthew 1:19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. [2]
Extending Grace to Others
Grace is God’s undeserved love. Just as God extends grace to us, we can extend grace to others when we are disappointed in them. Colossians 3:12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.[3] As much as we can be disappointed in others it gives us an opportunity to show them the love of Jesus. People often respond to undeserved kindness in a way I believe would surprise you.
Extending Grace When I am Disappointed in Myself
Forgiving yourself is sometimes more difficult than forgiving another person. Perhaps you are in that place right now and asking the Lord what to do. God’s Word tells us how we should treat ourselves because of how God treats us.
We can give ourselves grace because God gives us grace, which is kindness and forgiveness that we don’t deserve. If we have sinned, we can confess our sins to the Lord and be forgiven. Forgiving ourselves may take time even after we have gone to the Lord to ask for forgiveness.
Prayer
Abba, Father, I am unworthy in Your presence. I have done wrong and caused so much pain. How can You forgive someone like me? I have made mistakes that I am ashamed of. These mistakes are not who I am, Father. They are not who I want to be. You say that anyone sins against me then I should forgive them ’70 times 7’. Father, help me extend this principle of forgiveness to myself. Let me feel Your holy presence in my life. Hold my hand and lead me into a new life. Amen. [4]
How do you handle disappointment? Learn insight here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/coming-of-messiah-god-reassures-joseph
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] https://connectusfund.org/7-powerful-prayers-for-forgiving-yourself
Amen! Thank you for the reminder that we can give ourselves grace because God gives us grace
Vivian – Thanks for the comment and may the Lord bless you and your family. Pastor Tom G.