Dealing with Disappointment in a Godly Way

I have been on quite the journey when it comes to disappointment. Anyone else out there had their world rocked by outcomes that didn’t turn out the way they hoped?

I know for sure I’m not alone in this.

I’ve felt deep disappointment—not just in small, everyday frustrations but in the big things. There have been moments where I looked at my life and thought, How did I get here? The culmination of my choices, hard work, and even prayers led to a place I never intended to be. And honestly? That was frustrating.

Disappointment comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a ruined meal or an event that didn’t meet our expectations. Other times, it cuts deeper—disappointment in a job, a relationship, our own decisions, or even the way life itself has unfolded.

But here’s the real question: How do we deal with disappointment in a way that honors God?

Acknowledge Disappointment for what it is.

Yes, it stings. So we try to cope with it and most often in unhealthy way.

We need to address our disappointments by first acknowledging them and placing them in the great scheme of things. Especially if we are striving to trust the Lord.

How many times was David honest with the Lord about his disappointments and feelings of discontent and lack of connection with God.

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)

Man, I can relate to that. So often I have felt forgotten by God and especially in the outcomes of my journey and David is referred to as a “man after God’s own heart.” Whew…

Our faith journey is not without these sorts of disappointments. So, don’t read into this and feeling of shame. Read into this a sense of belonging in God’s arms.

How we choose to respond is what is key to stepping forward in victory.

Shift Your Perspective and trust in God’s ultimate plan.

I once heard an influencer say that God is not in control. Now, it was said for clicks and her point was that we so often use this as an excuse for taking responsibility for our lives. On one hand I agree with her, yet we can’t forget God’s sovereign hand is always at work and that can bring us a sense of comfort when there are things that take place in our lives that we just cannot understand.

God is truly working together all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, but it’s not a truth we always need blabbered at us in the midst of our disappointing moments. It’s true, but I’ll admit, it’s not always comforting as well.

So what do we do in the face of hard truths?

We take the time we need, but then we pan out and recall God’s beautiful love for us.

Proverbs 16:9 says “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We will make our plans. We will have expectations. This passage should remind us that ultimately all things will land in the Lord’s will.

It’s a paradox that we must always live and keep in balance. I know.

Even still, we have to live knowing that some of our biggest disappointments might actually be divine intervention in our lives for God’s ultimate refinement of our hearts.

So how do we live?

One of the sneakiest sins in my life was bitterness.

Man, it creeps in the back door and sets up camp and before we know it our entire house is rotten.

What I mean by that is if we are not in the practice of identifying our thoughts as God defines them then we can let them run amuck our hearts position on our life’s circumstances.

Let the holy spirit in and let Him shed light on this nasty visitor.

Spend time evaluating your thoughts about any given area of your life and challenge your them against the truths God has for you.

Not everything will feel good. Life is flat out hard and the sooner we acknowledge that not everything will work out, the better we will live in His hands.

All of this makes me think about Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13.

In expressing his frustrations to God, God gave him the next step to take. Elijah had to trust God in the way in which he would show up. You may be expecting Him to show up in a particular way, but God is going to show up in precisely the way He needs to for your good and His glory.

Don’t let this define you.

I’ve made the mistake of letting my disappointments define me and become a part of my identity.

Bad move that I’m working to heal.

That’s why I want to help you overcome and avoid this huge mistake because it will cost you greatly.

Don’t let it be your final destination. It’s not the whole story.

Life is full of these moments and you don’t have to let your identity get wrapped up in them.

Choose NOW to walk through them with the hope and connection with your heart and God that will show the world and yourself that this is not the end and you can life in such a way that brings peace and healing no matter the season of life you’re in.

Are you facing an area of disappointment and need help walking through it?

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