Have you ever been let down? Been promised a pony – but delivered a pigeon? Today we are discussing disappointment.
Wow – that’s a pretty depressing topic…
Maybe you’re disappointed that we are talking about this…
Maybe you’ve been jilted at the alter.
Maybe you’ve been dumped for no good reason.
Maybe you were expecting to get that great job- but they never called back
Maybe your application for housing was ready to go, but something slammed the door shut.
Many people in our class shared stories of disappointment. Some were from childhood, others were from this past week. Three different people I spoke with shared stories of depression and thoughts of suicide – all based on disappointment.
I carry an umbrella in my car. Why? Was it raining today? It’s always in there. Why? I also always have a jacket packed away in my backpack. Why? Do I need a jacket most days in Dallas?
I guarantee you – it is going to rain. It may not be today, or even tomorrow – but sometime after now – it is going to rain.
Disappointment is the same.
It may not happen today or even tomorrow, but sometime after now – it is going to happen.
(some of you are asking yourself if I brought candy. Man that would be a great illustration for disappointment )
So what are we going to do about being disappointed?
We’ve got some steps to consider – the next time you get disappointed.
- God is in control ( this does not mean that he caused the disappointment, or that he ignored you and therefore allowed the disappointment, it means that even when life falls apart, know that God is still on the throne, of course we are still trying to destroy His world, kill each other, and mess up everything He created to be perfect )
- Life is not fair - and that is a great thing. I am so glad that I don’t get what I deserve. We have a terrible habit at complaining about everything. But if we really received what we deserved, our lives would be much shorter.
- God has a plan – sometimes this one is hard for me. Is it God’s plan for bad things to happen? Well I know what the Bible says. In 1 Jn it says “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” God’s plan is all good because he is all good. Is there anyone in the Bible who had this perfect storybook life where nothing bad ever happened? Well then why should we expect anything different? Where did we get the idea that we are not supposed to be disappointed? It’s not wrong to be mad that you are disappointed – but it’s not God’s fault. Bad stuff happens. And great stuff happens. I know that God has a plan – because I have read the play book. And not surprisingly, you are included in this plan. It has to do with Jesus and you.
- Decide – you can decide if you will let this disappointment set you back, hold you down, tear you up and break you. Or, you can say NO. No – you will not be broken, no this will not keep you down, no you will not give up, no you will not give in. You decide. A decision is also needed in God’s plan. He’s in control. Life is not fair and you have to deal with sin that you can’t afford to pay for. God has a plan that includes you – and Jesus – and you have the decision. You can decide to let Jesus deal with your sin, or you can just continue to exist with this huge sin debt. You decide.
- Live. This is based on the decision. I faced this choice years ago with a shotgun in my mouth. You must make this decision when disappointment shows up in your life. Will this kill you? Whenever one of my children get hurt I always ask them – are you gonna live? When disappointment shows up – I ask you – are you gonna live? Is this going to ruin your life? Can you go on?
Some decision are easy. What about your eternity. How disappointed would you be if you woke up – in a coffin. Or if you found out that after you die – there really is something – and it was about God, and you found out that life really wasn’t fair, and God had a plan that included you – and included Jesus as His plan to save you – and you had to decide… – and you never did – and you want to live -forever – with him, but…
He is in control…. not you.
Life is not fair… you have the potential to be saved from what you deserve.
God has a plan… and it includes you and Jesus.
You can decide…will you accept Jesus or choose to not be saved?
Live… Only with Jesus will you truly know what it means to live.
Pastor to the Homeless 
