WHAT TO DO WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
By
Jack W. Hayford
How often do you have to change your plans?
How many times have you counted on something that seemed sure to
happen, but then didn’t?
How about those situations when you prayed, waited on God, gained
an inner witness that He would be working to bring everything about,
and then everything was switched?
It’s the last issue, I think, that is most troubling: I just
don’t understand it. The Lord seemed to have it all together
and then—kablooee! When that happens, and disappointment begins
to clutch at your emotions, what can you do?
This is what helps me:
-
Don’t decide “everything’s
over!” Neither a simple glitch in
my plans nor an absolute barricade means my life is ended.
Our lives are in God’s hands—no matter what. Jesus
said, “My Father, who has given them [that’s’
us!] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch
them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:29). Circumstances
never—NEVER—change the fundamental absolute undergirding
the believer’s life: My life is in God’s hands.
-
Let God’s peace take command.
The only thing that ever hinders peace is that someone
doesn’t surrender. So, when upset, dismay, frustration-with-things,
or deep disappointment come, “Let the peace of God rule
in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). To surrender to God
is never the same as surrendering to the situation—or
whatever works of hell may be afoot. It is an act of choice
that overrules whatever of chance seems to be trying your
soul, stretching your faith, or overthrowing your confidence.
Say, “Lord God Almighty, I give this to You—completely!”
And then, with praise upon praise, leave it there (Philippians
4:6,7).
-
Commit to hope. There’s
reason to! For most people you meet, hope is a “cross-my-fingers”
kind of thing shot through with guesswork. Instead, for the
believer, hope is divinely assured things that aren’t
here yet! Our hope is grounded in unshakable promises. While
I may misunderstand God’s timing, God’s ways, and
even wonder about God’s presence, He doesn’t change:
“It is impossible for God to lie...[thus we] have fled
for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope
we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast”
(Hebrews 6:18,19).
-
Let go of any need to “look
good.” Much of our disappointment
is rooted in our fears, and among the greatest of those is
fear that our change in plans or our apparent setback will
embarrass us before other people. “You don’t know
what you are doing!” someone will say. And there may
be others who question your relationship with God or fly in
the face of your disappointment with even more discouraging
remarks. But don’t allow the need to appear in “perfect
control” of your life and circumstances put you in the
position of trying to justify everything. Don’t mind
saying, “Maybe I was wrong,” even if you’re
sure you weren’t—but just don’t understand
it all yet.
-
Praise the Lord—quietly.
Give yourself over to the spirit of faith—that’s
the Holy Spirit. But don’t paste on a fake smile and
give forth with the religious, “Praise the Lord anyway!”
But do praise Him—do stand in faith! We cannot see the
way God is going to work where we are right now, but be sure,
He will: “‘For the mountains shall depart and the
hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you,
nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’ said the
Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
Disappointment is changed by altering only one letter—the
first one—to “H.” Turn disappointment into
His appointment. Then stand still and watch Him keep His
appointment with your destiny.
P.S. Read Romans 8:31-39! |
"Brethren,
having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way, which He consecrated for us..." Hebrews 10:19-20
  Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233
(800) 776-8180 * FAX: (818) 779-8411
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Last updated on: 7/09/03
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