Various Scripture - "Blessings"

There are so many things/people who can cause disappointment for us. But the One who doesn't disappoint us is Jesus. There are so many times when we think He has disappointed us because He doesn't answer our prayers in the way WE want them answered. But when we realize His way is the best way for us we know He didn't disappoint us at all. 

What exactly does the word disappointment mean? According to the dictionary, it is "the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the defeat of one's hopes or expectations." Everyone deals with disappointments but it's how we deal with them that counts. Do we allow the enemy a foothold into our lives with anger when we have a disappointment? Do we respond to disappointment with anger or malice? How do we respond to people who disappoint us? Do we hold onto disappointments and allow them to eat us away or do we seek the Lord's healing through them? How can we overcome disappointment?

1. Believe in God's plan. We must remember that His way is the best way. He is the One who can, and will, provide the best way possible for our life when we listen to Him. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 29:11)
2. Grieve. We must realize that we do need to grieve the sadness of a disappointment but we must NOT allow the disappointment to define us. (Psalm 34:18; Psalm 30:5)
3.  Pray. Pour your heart out to Him. Yes He already knows our heart but it helps to talk to Him about it.  Allow Him to soothe you with His words. (Romans 8:28; Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6-7)
4. Listen and Wait. Another aspect of communicating with God is to listen. Take His advice on the direction of where to go from the place of disappointment. We must remember He has us wait on direction at times so we can grasp the blessing fully. (Matthew 6:6; Psalm 27:14)
5. Search for the Good. Sometimes when we are going through a time of disappointment we are at the lowest time of our life. But we must look up to Him. We must find positives to focus on. (Psalm 118:24; Ephesians 5:19b-20)
6. Believe in Yourself. God is using each of us as we go through disappointments in life. He is always there for us, He never leaves us. He will strengthen each one to do His will. Once again, we must believe in Him and surrender fully to Him. I think of that saying, 'God doesn't make junk.' He made us just the way are. We must not only believe in Him but also must believe in ourselves. (Isaiah 40:28-31; Philippians 4:13)

When we go through multiple health issues with ourselves or with a family member, we can be disappointed that God allows these things to happen. We need to remind ourselves that He may be allowing them to happen to draw us or someone else closer to Him. Or it could be that He is allowing them to happen to get someones eyes open to a particular situation. No matter what, if we believe in Him and allow Him to work through such disappointments without manipulating them we will be blessed in the final outcome. 

As I talked with one yesterday who has medical issues herself along with multiple family members having medical issues, I was at a loss for words. Yet the Lord reminded me that I am praying for her and she needed to be encouraged by that fact. As I deal with a disappointment myself, how can I encourage others through their disappointments? It is only through the Lord's strength that I hear His voice and follow the direction He gives.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for these words this morning. Thank You for the scripture that spoke so greatly to me. Father, You are so awesome in the way You work in and through me. I know it is only through more of You in me that I can accomplish the things You put before me. Lord, fill me to overflowing. Fill me so that You can use me in great and mighty ways. Thank You Jesus for being the One to Heal My Disappointments. Amen.