Trusting God Through Disappointment

We all have that one thing we wanted so badly, whether it be a job, relationship or a goal we set for ourselves. But what happens when we try our absolute hardest and it doesn’t work out the way we wanted it to? 

When that feeling of disappointment shows up, it can be overwhelming. I learned recently that this is when faith and trusting in God counts the most.  

A couple days after I faced one of my greatest disappointments, I was feeling so helpless, as if nothing would work out for me. Then I thought of a quote from a scripture, “help thou mine unbelief.”

I looked it up and it is contained in Mark 9 (NIV). In this portion of scripture, Jesus healed a boy with a mute spirit. In verses 23 to 24, we read of the conversation between Jesus and the boy’s father:

"Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

I constantly prayed to God for faith and trust. I needed to understand that this disappointment – as much as it overwhelmed me, God is bigger than any disappointment and hurt we could ever face. And God shows up when we have true, authentic faith. 

It is often said rejection is God’s protection and redirection. In the midst of my disappointment, not only was I feeling helpless but I struggled to pray. 

It was in my healing from heartbreak and in processing all the emotions that came with it, I understood that we have to keep trusting and appreciating God’s protection and goodness even when we don’t feel like it.

I had to, and still have to continuously allow myself to come to a place of surrender and lay all emotions I felt at the altar and allow God into my heart. 

When we are actively trusting God through disappointment, He will meet us right where we are. We don’t need to be perfect. God shows up in the midst of all our pain with His unfailing love, grace and mercy. God blesses us in our hurting and brokenness when we pray through it rather than just go through it. 

We should always maintain a heart posture of gratitude to God for all that we have been blessed with and that God can see the bigger picture that we can’t see for ourselves.

Gratitude always puts things in perspective, showing us we are way more blessed than we could ever realize.  

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Rejection and disappointment will hurt, trust me I know. But if we surrender them to Jesus, He can use it for our good. We can sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did in Luke 10 in our quiet prayer time and ask Him what lessons can we learn from our disappointments. 

One scripture verse that I took comfort in is Romans 8:28 (NIV), where Paul tells us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

It took my disappointment in things not working out for me the way I wanted them to, to realize that I had many idols in my life. It was one of my biggest lessons from my disappointment. 

I didn’t fully understand what idolatry was. But the more I spent learning about God and His word, the more I understood how I placed people and things on a pedestal and focused and cared more about them than almost everything else. 

I felt so lost and confused and full of disappointment. I placed all my hope into this one thing when my hope and focus should have been on God.  

And that’s what happens when we place our trust in the things we idolize. When they hurt us (and they always do), it creates heartbreak and confusion. 

But my disappointment taught me the importance of placing God above all else and committing everything to Him; plans, relationships, anything our heart desires. Not only did I learn all these lessons, but it brought me closer to God. 

How fortunate are we that we serve a God that exists outside of space and time and can see the path ahead of us to protect us and guide us to where we need to be. 

In Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) God tells us,  

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts”

We have to trust that God has better for us, especially when things don’t go the way we plan.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) tells us to 

“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.” 

We have to learn to put things in perspective and trust that even in our disappointments, God has a bigger and better plan for us.  

Related Reading:

• Following God When It Doesn’t Make Sense
• Embracing the Wait for God’s Promises
• God’s Timing
• Book Review: It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst
• It Will Dawn on You: Trust God’s Plan
• Build Your Boat: Trusting God’s Plan

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