“Are you disappointed?” said the man behind me in the elevator. “Florida State. Are you disappointed that they lost?”
I have to admit I was taken aback. People don’t talk in elevators. It’s that weird unspoken space where you remain quiet until you arrive at your destination, especially when other passengers could be potential Alabama fans.
The first thing I said was, “No, I’m not disappointed in the defense.” (a very good “Pajcic” response.) And that was it. The end of our conversation. The end of the ride. The bell rang, the door opened, and we went our separate ways.
While I never saw my friend in the elevator again, his question kept revisiting me. Am I disappointed?
Sure, I was slightly disappointed that the Seminoles did not pull out a victory, that Deondre Francois was hurt and out for the season, and that I have to face my Alabama friends with “fun-loving” jabs and “we-wons.” But am I really disappointed?
Not. At. All.
Let’s go practical before we go spiritual. It was a great weekend! I got to see my college roommate and best friend, and eat dinner with her family. My oldest daughter drove in from Athens, and we got to spend the weekend together. The (almost) whole Pajcic clan was together cheering on the Seminoles and getting to experience the Mercedes Benz stadium for the first time. I got to drive by the Portfolio Center, my old school where I studied graphic design and reminisce when I lived in Atlanta 23 years ago. I got to reconnect with old friends and even met a new one in the elevator.
The definition for disappointment, according to Wikipedia, is the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by nonfulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations.
I realize that losing a football game isn’t as disappointing as losing a parent, losing a promotion, losing a friend, losing a marriage, or losing a dream. (Well, maybe for some it is!) Disappointing events can put us in a tailspin where we feel rejected, not good enough, a failure, bitter, angry, and the BIG MAC DADDY OF THEM ALL—doubt that God even cares. Is God even concerned that I am dealing with _______________?
This is where the definition of disappointment kicks in for me – the feeling of sadness caused by nonfulfillment of MY hopes or MY expectations.
Did you catch the word “My?”
Ouch.
“As a face is reflected in water; so the heart reflects the person.” Proverbs 27:19 (NLT)
What is your heart reflecting today? Is it reflecting disappointment because YOUR plans, YOUR dreams, or YOUR desires weren’t fulfilled? Or, is your heart reflecting the hope that, in fact, GOD DOES CARE and has amazing plans for you, dreams for you, and desires for you? The difference is trusting in HIS WILL and not in your plans.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
As believers – our face reflects what’s in our heart. I understand that disappointment is thrown our way on many different emotional levels, but we ALL have the same HOPE that God will take care of us when we turn to Him.
“Turn your burdens over to the Lord,
and he will take care of you . . . ” Psalm 55:22 (GW)
Is my heart reflecting the JOY, PEACE, HOPE, and understanding that God has a good plan for me? Or am I reflecting sadness because my plans were not fulfilled the way I desired?
Are you disappointed today?
Let God know.
- Ask Him to show you His appointments in the disappointing moments.
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4
- Ask Him to give you 10 reasons why you can rejoice in today.
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Ask Him to open your eyes to creative ways He can show you He cares — even in elevator rides where you might have to answer tough questions.
“For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
- WHY can we be hopeful in the disappointment?
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“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
The word appointment is IN the word disappointment. God can use ALL THINGS (yes… disappointments) for good appointments!
- HOW can we be hopeful in the disappointment?
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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Even in the disappointment – big and small, GOD can use everything to work for GOOD. HE is our hope.
- WHERE is our hope when we are disappointed?
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“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
Journal: Identify the places in your life where you have been disappointed. How has God used this place of disappointment for an appointment in a new direction? If you haven’t seen this new “appointment,” how are you going to walk ahead believing that God has a good plan for you?
Thanks Annie for sharing this this has been a great read this morning and an addition to my prayer request God bless you for being aware and not letting a teachable moment pass you by I have been inspired and enlightened by your “not at all disappointing” weekend
Thank you Gussie! It was such feeling of freedom not to be trapped by one disappointing moment – but to wrap myself in ALL that God DID DO last weekend! You are so right- we need to open our eyes to all His teachable moments! There are so many lessons to be learned. Have a joy-filled day!!!
Received this Word, literally at just the right moment Annie!!! As I was standing next to an almost completely brewed a pot of coffee, waiting for the brew cycle to finish…… in my mind I was rehearsing the events of circumstance that has brought a level of disappointment to my life. As the Lord would have it my phone was nearby, and I casually opened my email. Immediately, I saw your question: Are You Disappointed?
I spoke out loud and answered Yes!! As I read, it was like the Lord himself was talking to me. Thank you so much for the encouragement, and the complete re-direction of my mind this morning. Love Proverbs 19:21! You reminded me to fix my mind on things above…..it’s the purpose of the Lord that will stand! Amen!!
Kim! It’s so good to hear from you! Oh, thank you for telling me how GOD is WORKING in your life! He does it that way, right? Over a nice brewed pot of coffee. 🙂 When we lavish our life in the Word, we just get a better perspective. Please come visit again in Jacksonville! Love and JOY to you!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Mrs. Annie! I really needed to read this today. Sometimes it’s hard to see set backs and disappointments as good things, but those verses are all reminders that God is using the daily “disappointments” in life in ways we cannot yet understand. Those verses were perfect for me to read today. As you said, we all need to make sure that our heart reflects hope, especially when we’re facing set backs. With all of the craziness that is going on in my life right now, it’s easy to question God and His plan, but your words were a friendly reminder from God to make sure that I remain filled with hope. Thanks again for sharing this! God is doing great things through you and your ministry.