Preparing for the New Year Ahead: Overcoming Disappointment (1/11/2015)
At the start of the New Year, we find a symbolic meaning in our experience to assess the year that came before. As we reevaluate our past year, we measure our hopes, times of strength and struggle. One makes an effort to reevaluate those experiences and make a conscious effort to avoid an unwanted outcome and make positive strides, either on our worldly endeavors or, on our spiritual journey.
Conversely, at times we may come across various disappointments. These disappointments occur in various areas of our lives and with the guidance of scripture; we can confront disappointments and make a conscious effort to react in the most constructive, loving manner possible. Before we can make this effort and moving forward from disappointment, one must first accept the current circumstance and know that there is a reason for God’s plan and divine timing. Yes, I know this can be a tough pill swallow when you are faced with difficult situations and circumstances at the present moment.
After all, we are all human and we all have been there, but the moment we deal with disappointment in a constructive manner, we can begin accepting the current situation in order to move forward. Finding a constructive meaning behind the current circumstance and working towards reasonable solutions allows others to move forward and live a more fulfilled life. This meaning can only be supplemented by scripture and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
There are many people in the bible (Jesus, Moses, David, Gideon, and others) that when through disappointment and overcame them. For instance, in the book of Exodus, Moses was raised away from his parents and his people in the land of Egypt. After being raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter and as a result his life was spared, he lived a life of privilege. There are two aspects here that many forget to remember, overcoming worldly expectation and knowing that God moves through divine timing (Isiah 55: 8-9). God rescued mosses from Egyptian invasion and this is a testament to God’s divine plan at work to save the Israelites years before it even occurred, or Mosses being called to do so. Likewise, in our personal lives we operate from a limited perspective and understanding for our difficult circumstance and therefore, we can’t see the bigger picture that God has for us. But always know that it doesn’t end there. Those in good faith follow the Lord and seek his guidance will receive everything you need (Mathew 7:7-8; Isiah 55: 8-9).
It was at the age of 40, after knowing his Hebrew origin; he observed the cruel acts of the Egyptians on his people, the Israelites (Acts 7:23-25). His people did not see him as the deliverer and nor did they believe he was able to understand the oppression of his people. One day , after defending an Israelite from mistreatment, he struck down an Egyptian. His people didn’t understand his role in this and neither did they believe he was able to deliver them. Therefore, after the threat of death, he fled from the land of Egypt for 40 years! At the age of eighty years old, coming from privilege many years before, he later becomes a shepherd in the countryside. Could you imagine being called by God to deliver his people at after 40 years? After years of disappointment and his expectations of delivering his people, it was God’s divine plan and timing that set motion for the deliverance of his people. Take comfort in God’s love, omnipresence, and divine plan (Isiah 55: 8-9).
Here are some tips from others who have overcome disappointment:
- God did not disappoint you – life’s circumstances and people disappointed you. When something bad happens, it is not a time to blame God, but rather a time to turn to him.
- Things aren’t always as bad as they seem. Our emotions are sometimes programed to get the best out of us. We are all beings of habit and, through guidance of the Holy Spirit and personal awareness, we can move forward from dread, disappointment, or perceived ideas of doom and gloom.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself– Things happen for a multitude of reasons and many beyond our control. We can only learn from the experience and take action steps to minimize the things that are within our control. Place you faith in God that he has a better solution on the way and see that things will be resolved in God’s divine timing.
- Don’t compare your life to others! Everyone has a different journey and faced with various circumstances. Every soul is unique and God’s perspective of your life is all that matters- that is, your Journey to Christ (John 14: 6- ).
- Can you remember a time or situation that you have had equal level of disappointment? Know you have moved on from that situation and have grown from that experience!
- BE Grateful; Practice gratitude by thanking God. There are so many things we take for granted in life: the air we breathe, the love of family, friends, our sight to view the beauty and wonder of God’s creation.
- Pray for and forgive others. If someone reacted poorly against you: know it is not because of you, but a reflection of the internal struggle inside them. Bless them and bring happiness in their life. Forgiveness is not only for the other individual, but it allows you to move forward without holding resentments towards others. It’s not worth holding that burden on your spirit.
- Know it is okay to feel emotions as they arise- most importantly, if done in a constructive manner. Take a moment to stop and understand where they are coming from, let the love of Christ heal you and release these emotions. Understand they come from a personal need or deep-rooted fear that can be minimized through personal awareness and through guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Know you are blessed! There are many people with very difficult circumstance (i.e. handicaps, traumas, poverty, etc.) that have found meaning in their life and live life to the fullest. Know that through the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ and heart felt repentance that your gift of eternal life is far greater than any other experience or expectation in the world. Glory is to God forever and forever! Amen!
- Make adjustments to your expectations. We must move beyond our past circumstance and not dwell to long on it as it prevents you from living the present moment to the fullest and creating seeds of hope for the future. We must make realistic expectations and attainable goals for ourselves. In this way we not only encourage ourselves in the process each time we attain our goals; but we prevent overwhelming the present moment with stress, thinning out the quality of work, and taking measures on results too soon.
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.