But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. (Psalm 71:14 (NKJV))

Most of us have been disappointed at some point in our lives. And as we get older, we’re likely to have more. It comes in many different forms. A failed or difficult marriage. Singleness despite a desire for a husband. Wayward children. No children. Or maybe your life just didn’t turn out the way you thought it should. If you could go back, you would have made different choices.

So, what should you do with your disappointment? Here are three things to help you with those nagging feelings:

 

1. Take it To the Cross

I love the expression, “Take it to the cross.” Yet, it can be thrown around too haphazardly. It’s what some would call Christian-eeze – language that only insiders understand.

But it simply means to talk to God about it. Pray. Tell God about your disappointment, and then give it to Him. Let Him handle it.

The Bible instructs us to cast all our care on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). The word “cast” means “to throw upon.” When you throw your disappointment to God, it’s out of your hands and in His capable hands. He will handle it for you.

I like Craig Groeschel’s suggestion of using a “God” box in his book, Winning the War in Your Mind.[1] You can use any box – one you buy that looks pretty or even just a shoe box. When you have a care, concern, or disappointment, write it on a piece of paper and put it in the box as you pray, giving whatever it is to God.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that the box is God or even a representation of Him. It’s simply a visual reminder that you’ve given it to God – that you’ve thrown it in His hands and have decided to trust Him with it. If you start worrying about it again, you have to go and take it out of the box. Anytime you do, it’s another visual reminder – this time, that you no longer trust God to handle it.

It’s a powerful thing because that’s exactly what we do when we say we’ve given something to God but then continue to worry about it. Stop doing that. Leave it in God’s hands. He knows what He’s doing. And He’s more than able to handle any problem you have.

So, take your disappointment to the cross and leave. . . it. . . there.

 

2. Remember that God’s Grace is Sufficient

The Bible describes how the apostle Paul had a thorn in his flesh that he “pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from [him]” (2 Corinthians 12:7-8 (NKJV)). We don’t know what the thorn was. But it must have been something that really challenged him if he begged God three times to take it away.

Despite Paul’s pleas, God didn’t take the thorn away. Instead, God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)).

At this news, Paul could have thrown himself a pity party. But he didn’t. He was likely disappointed to some extent. The thorn was something that had impacted him in a very real way, and He wanted it to be gone.

Yet, we discover in the next part of that verse that Paul didn’t allow any disappointment to keep him from doing what God had called him to do. He proclaimed, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)). Paul chose to trust God. He decided to believe that God knew what was best for him.

It can be difficult to do this. It’s not easy to choose to trust God when your feelings have taken your thoughts hostage. But God’s grace is sufficient for you too. Just like Paul, if you turn to God and trust Him – no matter how you feel – His strength will be made perfect in your weakness. God is enough for you.

 

3. Enjoy Your Relationship with God

When you’re feeling disappointed, it’s easy to get focused on what you don’t have and forget what you do have. It’s so important to realize that, although very real, feelings can lie to you. You may not have everything you wanted. But if you’ve decided to follow Jesus, you have the best thing ever – God Himself.

God loves you. He’s promised never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  His Holy Spirit lives inside of you (John 14:16-17). He is with you right now.

Spend time getting to know God better. He has revealed Himself to us in His word, the Bible. Take a moment to contemplate God’s amazing love for you. Put on your favorite worship song and sing to Him, praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done. Talk to God throughout your day. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance. Live your life like He’s right there beside you every moment of every day because He is.

As you give your disappointment to God, remember that He is all you need, and enjoy the relationship you have with Him, God will help you through this time. Continue seeking His plan for your life as you walk by faith with Him.

 

* Photo by Eric Ward on Unsplash

 

[1] Craig Groeschel, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021), 178-179.