LOVING GOD IN LIFE'S DISAPPOINTMENTS

Disappointment is part and parcel of life, and at some point, we all experience it. During times of disappointment, we can either find ourselves drawing closer to God or pushing Him away. We may forget the many blessings He has given us, begin to doubt Him, question His plans, and, sadly, even turn away from Him. Also, disappointment is not limited to people today; even great men and women in the Bible faced it. Figures like Job, David, Elijah, Simon Peter, Sarah, Ruth, and Elizabeth all experienced disappointment. No one is exempt from it, but what truly matters is how we respond to it, whether it brings us nearer to God or drives us further away, James 1:2–4.

Throughout my life, I have had my fair share of disappointments. One of the earliest and most memorable was the disappointment I faced during my school placement. I had hoped to attend a particular secondary school, but was placed in another one instead.  At that time, I was disheartened. Why had things not gone the way I planned? However, looking back, I see how God used that experience for good. I now realise that if I had not gone to that school, I would not have met the wonderful people I now call my friends, nor would I have encountered those who helped me come to know the true God, hear the gospel, and follow Christ.

As humans, we often see only what we desire and are limited by our inability to predict the future. We focus on what we want, but sometimes, what we long for is not what is best for us. God, in His infinite wisdom, understands this. So, when our prayers are met with a "no" or we experience disappointment, it may actually be His way of guiding us toward something better, Isaiah 55:8–9; Proverbs 16:9.

Over time, I have learnt to appreciate what I once saw as disappointments. I now see them as opportunities God provided to shape me and help me grow spiritually. Not everything I desire is beneficial, especially in the spiritual sense. Some things I once prayed for might have satisfied personal desires but could have led me further away from God or into temptation.

Ultimately, trust is essential. Whether God’s response to our prayers is "yes," "no," "wait," or even a replacement, it is always for our spiritual good, Romans 8:28. When we view disappointments through these lenses, we can see them not as setbacks, but as divine providence, guiding us to become better children of God, 2 Corinthians 4:17–18.

So brethren, when life’s disappointments come, stand firm in your faith for they may be God’s way of shaping us for eternity, 1 Peter 1:6–9.