It is not a matter of if but when disappointment will happen. How do you handle disappointment? Maybe you have experienced some disappointments 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 wondering what to do. No matter our disappointment, 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 looked 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 was 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 allows us to show them the love of Jesus. People often respond to undeserved kindness in a way that surprises us.
Extending Grace to Myself
Forgiving yourself is sometimes more difficult than forgiving another person. Perhaps you are in that place 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 receive forgiveness. 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 if anyone sins against me, 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/fulfilled-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