The Cure for Disappointment

Disappointment is a fact of life for lost and saved alike. There are many things in this life that bring disappointment. It is not unusual to experience disappointment. But if not handled biblically, disappointment will lead to discouragement which can result in great harm to that person who is discouraged as well as to those who are affected by that person.

I'll share some of the things that have disappointed me in recent times:

• The man whom I thought to be my best friend in the United States recently stole a car, committed other crimes, and has not repented. 

• Another very good friend will not speak to me anymore due to a disagreement on what God says about divorce and remarriage. 

• My older brother told me that he doesn't believe in God anymore. 

• Shortly before my mother (who professed to be a Christian) died, she lost interest in reading the Bible and had questions that were not typical of those who are saved. 

• Some events at work have disappointed me. 

• Churches for the most part have turned away from God's word and have decided to follow the ways of the world. 

• Many of our political leaders are bent on destroying the foundations of our country. 

• Every year (and under the protection of a terrible law) many hundreds of thousands of babies are murdered. 

• Sodomy has become more and more acceptable in our society as well as in churches.

As I was considering all of these things yesterday my spirit lapsed into a state of grief and melancholy. Have you ever experienced this? If so, you are not alone. There are many examples of this in the lives of godly men and women in the Bible. Joseph, Moses, Job, Hannah, David, Elijah, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Paul, Peter, James, Mary, and Martha are just some of these people.

Disappointment is a reality in this world. The question is not "Will it come to me?" but "What should I do when it comes to me?". For the lost person, the answer simply is to repent of sin, believe the Gospel, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. For the saved person, here is what God tells us:

First, recognize that you are not alone in this and that God has promised to help you:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I Corinthians 10:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

I Peter 4:13

Recognize that the entire world is under the condemnation of God…

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

I John 5:19

...and that because of this, the world will disappoint you:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, though whom they come!

Luke 17:1

Recognize that disappointment will come when we depend upon man instead of upon God:

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:5

Believe God:

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

I John 5:4

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:16

Place all of your hope in God:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:11