Disappointment

Disappointment can ruin any day. We hear some bad news, expected or not, it doesn’t seem to matter, and our ever so fragile hearts can sink into the doldrums in a hurry. Musically we call it, “The Blues”. The number of songs of loss and pain is endless. Some people speak of their disappointment with God when things don’t turn out as planned or prayed. But where does one go if not to God? In my observations, we go down, down, down. We bottom out. So how do we go up, up, up? It’s not that easy to bounce back from an overwhelming disappointment. I know far too well. We must be careful of our vocal expressions in such moments. The Psalmist composes his thoughts and utters, “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge…” At some point, we will discover our need for others as we walk through disruptive turmoil. I don’t believe there is a way around or over disappointment, only through. We will need refuge at several levels—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and more. We need other caring persons who understand the weightiness of disappointment and the effect on our psyches. Returning to full trust will be a process. In the meantime, we all need a refuge—that safe place offered by both God and God’s people, a place to sharpen our hoping skills. Let us provide for one another.