Finding The Good In Disappointment

Have you ever been disappointed because something you had really hoped for or worked on just did not go the way you planned or thought it would. I think everyone has at least one of those moments a year. Some people are so negative that they continue to dwell on the thing that disappointed them to the point where they can only think in the negative because they cannot get out of the rut. The Bible tells us that God does not want us to dwell on the negative and keep moving forward. Just because something did not go your way does not mean it is the end of the world and nothing else will go right. Learn from it, pray on it, let God take control because if whatever it was is supposed to be turned to your favor, it is in God’s timing not ours.
A fellow Pastor who is one of my mentors said this a few weeks ago on Facebook:
If I look inside myself I will only find disappointment, selfishness and death, but when I look to Christ in faith, I see the beauty of the Redeemer who died on the cross and raised from dead to bring salvation. This is Good News! (Ch. Mike Burgess Facebook post)
When we remember the sacrifice of Christ we have no need for our disappointing attitude. Jesus died so we could live.
Now Habakkuk was a prophet of old around the time of the Babylonian exile. He witnessed the sinfulness of the nation which caused great sadness and disappointment which they brought on to themselves. Habakkuk did not dwell on the disappointment but remembered God’s Grace in times of trouble.  
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. -Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

The Bible is filled with Scriptures to help us overcome our disappointments. This tells me that God desires that we do not dwell on it and think in the negative even though that is in our nature to do so. Taking things to Jesus and letting His yoke take on our burdens heals us and relieves us so we may be more positive and ready to share His Word and the blessings we receive through His Mercy.
 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” –Isaiah 55:8-9
God reminds us that He is the Almighty One who transforms the world with a Word. He can control ALL things with a thought where we have control over only what He gives us to do so.
Because:
 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
But here is the thing. God uses disappointments as a life lesson. Through our grief we pray for relief. As we listen and wait we need to be thankful for the bad so we can find the good.  
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18
We should weep because that is a release. Prayer helps release the bad so it can be replaced with the good.
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. -Psalm 30:5
So rise and shine in the morning and give God the Glory.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
When you pray remember that it does not have to be overly well dictated. In our tears God brings joy. A private conversation with God is better than announcing your prayers to the world.
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. -Psalm 55:22
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. -Matthew 6:6
At the same time though, let others share your grief and pray with you, Strength may come from those who suffer with you. But in all things be patient.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. -Psalms 27:1
Have thanks with a grateful heart.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19b-20
Believe that there is good and find it. He has the strength to go about every day and never tires. He shares this strength with us as long as we believe.  
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31
As we believe in God, God believes in us that we will do the things He requires of us. He grants us His strength to make it through all our disappointments so we do not just give up on our little part of this great big world. We are only a small part in His overarching plan. From disappointment comes encouragement. From weakness comes strength.
For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
May God’s Glory, Love and Mercy be upon you this day. Think positive and the negative will be just an unconscious dream. ​