Disappointment
Scripture:
Psalm 102:2-5
Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.
For my days vanish like smoke;
my bones burn like glowing embers.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
I forget to eat my food.
In my distress I groan aloud
and am reduced to skin and bones.
Psalm 34:18-19
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of disappointment.
We have all been let down - by friends, co-workers, family members, and sometimes even by strangers. And when that happens, disappointment is a natural emotion. However, if you find that you’re consistently expecting disappointment, if you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, then it may point to deeper wounds that need healing.
Disappointment can easily become a habit so that even when things go the way we had hoped, we don’t allow ourselves to enjoy it. Instead, we’re focused on what we still lack or we live in constant fear that what we have will be taken from us. Living in this way prevents us from seeing God’s presence and provision in our lives. In order to live fully and enjoy the blessings God has given us, we must learn to put disappointment in its rightful place.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
In what situations am I most likely to expect disappointment?
How has expecting disappointment impacted my ability to live in the present and enjoy what I have?
Prayer:
Talk to God about any disappointments that you have experienced - these could be recent or more distant disappointments that continue to impact you today. Ask God to help you heal from disappointment. Thank God for the blessings in your life today and ask for help to experience the abundant life that Jesus promises.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
