When things don't turn out the way you hoped

According to Mr. Webster, to disappoint means “to fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of.”

We speak of times of disappointment in sentences which begin with should have or could have.

I’ve found disappointment to be one of the most finely honed weapons in the enemy’s arsenal. If we’re not watchful, disappointment can lead to a root of bitterness which can quickly take root in our lives and like cancer, eat away all that’s good.

When disappointment leaves us protesting, “I didn’t know it was going to turn out like this,” we must make a choice not to embrace toxic thoughts by choosing to replace those thoughts with God’s word.

I keep coming back to this quote, “Can it be that which seems to oppose the will of God actually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God? That which seems evil only seems so because of perspective, the way the eyes see the shadows. Above the clouds, light never stops shining.” —Ann Voskamp

Faith only begins to flex its muscles in times when the darkness settles in around us. Faith is “our handle on what we can’t see” (Hebrews 11:5 Hebrews).

Even in times of great disappointment, through faith, we choose to fix our eyes on Jesus. Whatever situation left our hopes, desires, and expectations wanting, we may trust God will use it for our good and His glory.

“…those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (Isaiah 49:23).

“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 5:3-5 The Message).

“And hope does not disappoint us…” (Romans 5:5). 

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