My last post blog dealt with HOPE. However, I would be remiss if I did not deal with DISAPPOINTMENT.

Disappointment is defined as: sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations.

Hope does not bring a guarantee of an outcome. Even when we bring our hopes to God, there is no guarantee. Why? Because we are fallible, sinful beings and at times what we hope for is not good for us, or those around us. However, we trust God knows best, and the outcome will be in accordance with His divine will. But that means we may experience disappointment.

Disappointment for all.

A Reality.

Who has not dealt with DISAPPOINTMENT at some point in their lives? All of us have, and some have had more than others. Having hope assures one of disappointment. Why? Not everything we hope for can be realized. In fact, not everything we hope for should be realized.

But, we must not give up on hope.

Unrealized or unfulfilled hopes are just that. These are not because God cannot see them through, carry them out, and so on. They may be opportunities for a future direction or warnings away from a path. We must trust God and his divine plan, for us, our family, friends, and indeed the entirety of humankind.

Faith in the God of the impossible.

We must have faith that God can do the impossible. Or at least, what seems to be impossible. He can do anything, for He is all-powerful (omnipotent).

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

He is also wise beyond our wildest understanding and often is unfathomable to us.

1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”;

He has immeasurable understanding and knows all there is to know.

Job 37:5
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

So He knows what is good for us; and what is not! God knows everything.

1 John 3:20

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Hope is still there.

But in the end, we return to having hope and trusting God. Yes, we come back to trust. Do we trust God enough to believe that he looks after us? Gives us what we need? Sometimes He blesses us beyond our wildest dreams and yes, at other times says no. He may restrict what we have asked for. Changed our life’s path, or what we thought was our path. Sometimes it is a no, but other times, it may be a not now.

Sometimes we are not ready.

Sometimes, we are not ready for what we hope for. I’ve wanted to be a writer for most of my life. I’ve dabbled in it for over 30 years and made several attempts at it. In that time, I have completed a few books that have been collecting dust, unpublished. Then, when I’m retired and think I’ve reached the end of a productive life, God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve been able to write and publish five books in less than three years.

Never did I think that was possible, since my first book took almost five years to write, the second even longer. Several manuscripts are languishing half finished.

Despite wanting to write and hoping to get published, and not seeing it come to fruition, I did not give up hope. I did not doubt that God could make it possible. I never felt that he said no. It was up to Him and His divine timing and plan for my life.

Unrealized hopes.

Have I had unrealized hopes? Yes, and thank heaven some of them had not come through. Secretly, for a time, I hoped to get a Ph.D. – but then there’d be no way I could have retired at 56, which is something God allowed. God knew better. God had a better plan. Had I got a Ph.D., I’m sure I never would have realized my dream of writing.

We are called to hope for many things. But in every instance, we are to bring them to the Lord and wait upon Him and His perfect timing and wisdom.

So, don’t give up on hope because of disappointment. Embrace it and ask God to help you see the wisdom of his ways, to overcome disappointment. Then, step out in faith.

Blessings,

Jana

Next… Faith.