Once Again – Dealing with Disappointment
Once again – we are here dealing with disappointment. On Friday, the World Health Organization introduced COVID Omicron variant to the world. On Saturday, Israel closed their international borders to all visitors. This Wednesday, we were scheduled to be landing in Tel Aviv. Last time we were just over one week away when they cancelled us; this time, just three days.
So, how do we deal with disappointment? I thought of this as I drove home with my family from Kentucky discussing the events. Let me remind you of the three thoughts I am reminding me of as well.
First, none of this surprised God as He works according to His good will. We can trust His providential plan because He is trustworthy and knows what is best and right.
5 For I know that the Lord is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries (Psalm 135:5-7).
Second, we know that God has allowed this turn of events into our lives to help us become more like Jesus Christ, which is His purpose for each one of us individually. Again, we can trust Him.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:28-29).
Third, this disappointment pales in comparison to the struggles, pressures, stresses, and other suffering that others go through even now. I think of a friend who is fighting for his life in a hospital in Bowling Green, Kentucky as I type. Another who needs her body to respond to her prayers if she hopes for a medical procedure to work. Still others who are maneuvering through this holiday weekend for the first time without their spouse. And more. Although disappointing, there are still many more around me to whom I can serve, for whom I can pray, and with whom I can truly cry. For that reason, we choose to persevere even in our own disappointment, as we can truly trust God in it.
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)
On this Sunday, we choose to trust God and deal with this disappointment by faith. No doubt, very disappointed. Also, no doubt, a God we can trust in the midst of the disappointment.
Image Credit Cole Keister
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
Thank you for these helpful thoughts. Perspective can be so helpful in times of disappointment.
We are disappointed because we don’t get to have an experience, a learning experience, to be sure. I’m thinking now about those in Israel whose livelihoods are connected to tourism. They are now looking toward 2 years of shutdown.
Thank you Kevin for all your straight forwardness and encouragement. I look forward to reading your blogs . I go to Grace here in Bowling Green with your family. Best folks in the world.