Tuesday, 15 November 2011
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Persevering Through Disappointment
By Kathy CheekSomething hurt me recently. My initial reaction was to experience deep disappointment, and I asked God to protect my heart and to not let it discourage me.
I fell asleep with that prayer on my lips, and I woke up the next morning much lighter of heart and genuinely carefree. I felt the victory of not succumbing to disappointment’s strong sway. There was a new and welcome lightness in my heart and I whispered to myself, "It is like there is a shield around me, and God is protecting my heart, I feel it! I shouldn’t feel this good after experiencing that kind of hurt, but I do. I know this is the Lord meeting my need, encouraging me as only He can!"
How grateful I was for this answer to prayer! I had not always won this battle over disappointment, but God was teaching me through each experience of disappointment and discouragement that I should not let it stop me. I shouldn’t let these negative circumstances cause me to be defeated.
With each encounter I have learned a little bit more and I certainly know that it isn’t wise to let disappointment become a dark cloud that follows you around. Don’t let it become a repeating message in your mind like a broken record skipping over the same spot.
Maybe there are lessons to be learned from this disappointing experience, and maybe there is growth that needs to take place. Maybe it just isn’t time yet and expectations were placed on something happening before it was meant to be. The important issue with disappointment is to not let it stop you. Don’t let it bruise your ego and don’t let it make you doubt that you are capable. It also helps to realize, disappointment happens to all of us.
I believe it is vital that we learn that disappointment is a life experience God can use to help us grow and mature, and very importantly, gain the value of overcoming a hardship that came into our life. Choosing to persevere through disappointment will build strong character and strong hearts, bringing a healthy balance into our lives that will help us cope with all that life holds.
Will disappointment weaken and tear us down, or, will we become stronger through perseverance?
Romans 5:3-4 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
What has been your biggest disappointment? How have you persevered through it?
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