Disappointments: January 16, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 16, 2014

DISAPPOINTMENTS

DEFINITION:

Unfulfilled hopes or expectations.

SCRIPTURE:

To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:5.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Someone once said that disappointments are inevitable but discouragement is a choice. So the question for today is “How do we handle disappointments in life?”

We cannot count the number of times we had conversations with our children about disappointments in their lives. We learned quickly that a disappointment in a child’s life is serious and must be faced, discussed and worked out. The role of the parent is to take the time needed and help your child overcome the disappointment they have faced. It may seem like the end of the world to the child. The parents can help the child put it in a positive perspective.

Everyone has known the ache of sadness that comes when life moves in an unanticipated, undesired direction. It may come as a result of a negative change in circumstances, a sudden reversal in plans or a frustrating personal issue. Regardless of what has caused your disappointment, the dream you once cherished seems to be in ruins. You feel at a loss to know how to respond because you will find it difficult to sort through your emotions.

When we experience disappointment it can make us feel God has forgotten us. Be assured God does not forget us. He already knows the plans He has for us. He has “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11. If we continue to trust in God in the midst of our disappointments we will find hope that does not disappoint.

We are reminded of the disappointment that Joseph, the Nazarene carpenter, who was engaged to a young woman named Mary. Like any Jewish man of his day he looked forward to taking a wife and beginning a family. Then the news came. Think of all the emotions that entered Joseph’s heart when he heard that Mary was pregnant. Under Jewish law when an engaged girl becomes pregnant because of another man, the penalty was death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). The disappointment that Joseph faced must have been overwhelming.

But as we all know, the Lord sent an angel to confirm His extraordinary plan to Joseph. Joseph was assured that the Lord would protect both Mary and Joseph. Joseph did not let his disappointment turn to discouragement but moved forward, accepting God’s will. Joseph obeyed the Lord and brought Mary home with him until the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25).

The Lord has a unique plan for our lives today. It is a plan that does not change according to unexpected circumstances. When we confront a disappointment in our lives we need to stop and look to Him for direction and then be obedient to His direction.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 43:1b.

Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the many blessings You have in store for me. Help me to let go of my disappointments and to always trust in You. Thank You for the assurance that You hold my future in Your hands and that Your plans for me are for good and not for evil.