Do you remember how disappointed you felt earlier or even later in life? You felt sad or depressed, because you didn’t make the mark or reach your expectation. When you were younger, you faced competition, for example: in sports, in a spelling Bee, in a musical talent show and you wanted to win but you didn’t. As a high school student, you competed for the post popular girl or boy and felt disappointed when you didn’t get what you wanted. As you became older, you realize that the same system exists even today; there is competition which leads to achievement or disappointment.
Let me discuss some of these. Today, you experience competition as a small or large business owner, as an applicant for a job— to become a senior pastor of a church, to become a school teacher, to become a computer engineer, to become a police officer or whatever you wish to become. To obtain a job, you went through the interviewing process until you became the top applicant and achieved the job of your dreams only to be disappointed years later. This same disappointment played out in your marriage and after five years or less, your marriage ended up in divorce.
In this world of competition and disappointments, we must come to the realization that our issues have a way of balancing themselves. We must believe in the good in ourselves, that all things work together for the good of humankind (Rom 8:28), and that disappointments lead to incredible opportunities. My own life attests to these facts.
I landed a job many years ago during the same time that my daughter needed care and, therefore, I resigned from the job shortly after. I could have complained or bathed in disappointment, but instead, I chose to attend Seminary at night and was elated to be among a student body and faculty who were supportive. During my trials, I graduated from Seminary and found new life—getting involved in women’s issues.
My new life led me to creating and writing in The Christian Connection Newsletter alongside community leaders. Eight years later, in 2008, I continued writing and sharing my story with others. I also found time to assist my daughter in profound ways. Maybe your situation is like mine; you had to leave your job to care for your son or daughter. Maybe, you are disappointed with your marriage, with your job or with your friendships. Do not lose heart, for you have hope (Rom 5:2). God loves you the same, whether you experience disappointments. He has never left you or forsaken you; He has been with you throughout the entire process and will see you through (Psalm 139:7-10), but you must trust Him to do it. Do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), for in doing so, you depend on your feelings rather than your faith and belief in God.
Trusting and believing in God’s provisions for your life is key to overcoming your life-issues, for He is your Master (Mark 12:32), and He has a master-plan for your life. Because all things work together for good (Rom 8:28), I want to encourage you to look at disappointments in new ways, for they often lead to incredible opportunities.
By Joan M. Blake (Author)