Disappointment is something every believer encounters at some point. Whether it’s a failed job opportunity, a broken relationship, an unmet goal, or a season of waiting, disappointment can feel like a crushing weight. When things don’t go as planned, it’s natural to question why God allowed it to happen. Yet, God invites us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand His ways. In fact, our disappointments can be pivotal moments where our faith is refined and strengthened.
1. Understanding God’s bigger picture
One of the biggest reasons we struggle with disappointment is that we often see only a small part of the picture. We have hopes, dreams, and plans, but the Bible reminds us that God is still in charge:
Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
While we can only see the present moment, God sees the full arc of our lives and beyond. He knows what lies ahead, and He is working all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Even when our plans fail, God’s plans never do.
Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and later imprisoned unjustly, Joseph faced disappointment after disappointment. Yet, in the end, he could say this to his brothers:
Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
God used each setback to bring Joseph into a position where he could save an entire nation. Just as God was working behind the scenes in Joseph’s life, He’s working in ours, even in our disappointments.
2. Allowing God to shape us through disappointment
Disappointments aren’t just painful – they’re transformative. God uses them to shape our character, grow our resilience, and deepen our trust in Him. The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in our sufferings because:
Romans 5:3-4 “… suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
While it’s difficult to rejoice in the moment, we can be assured that God is using our experiences to grow us in ways we might not even realize.
Disappointment has a way of revealing what’s in our hearts. It exposes where we’ve placed our security or our sense of worth, and it gives us the chance to realign our hearts with God’s purpose. In those moments, God invites us to surrender, laying down our dreams at His feet and trusting that His plans are better than anything we could devise on our own.
3. Trusting God’s timing and wisdom
When disappointment arises, it often comes with questions: Why, God? Why now? What does this mean for my future? These questions are natural, but they’re also invitations to lean into God’s wisdom and timing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
God’s timing is rarely our timing, but it’s always perfect. Sometimes a disappointment is simply a delay because God has something greater in store. Other times, He’s protecting us from something we don’t yet see. Whatever the case, we can trust that God’s timing is aligned with His perfect knowledge and love for us.
4. Learning to surrender our plans to God
In times of disappointment, one of the most powerful things we can do is surrender. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up or settling; it means releasing our grip on our expectations and entrusting them to God. It’s an act of faith, saying, God, I trust You even though I don’t understand. Jesus modelled this perfectly in Gethsemane when He prayed:
Luke 22:42 “Not my will, but yours be done.”
When we surrender and embrace God’s plans, we open ourselves up to receive His peace. We’re no longer striving to make things work out our way; instead, we’re resting in the assurance that His ways are higher than ours.
Finding Hope in Disappointment
Disappointment is difficult, but it doesn’t have to defeat us. When we trust in God’s bigger picture, allow Him to shape our character, trust His timing, and surrender our plans, we find that disappointment can become a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block.
As we place our hope in God rather than in our own plans, we discover a deeper joy and peace that comes from knowing He is in control. Let’s choose to embrace God’s plan, even in disappointment, knowing that He is faithful and His love for us never fails.