Dealing with Disappointments

Dealing with Disappointments 6-24-18

Prov 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

We all experience disappointments from time to time An expectation that does not seem to materialize It comes in different ways, People let us down, Seemingly unanswered prayer Miss a job promotion or new job A new business venture fail How do you handle them?

Mad at God? Depression, fear, pouting Ps 119:81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

When disappointments come you handle them with the Word Prov 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

The Word is your best counsel However, you need a good pastor and church body to counsel with you as well Here are some ways to handle disappointment when it tries to knock at your door 1. Do not be led by circumstances That is a roller coaster ride that is sure to disappoint

What initially may appear to be a ‘let down’, may in fact turn out to be the best for you Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; The expectation of the lame man was money, he was expecting money Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

Acts 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

Acts 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

He thought they would give him money Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; His heart surely sank here although momentarily but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Although we all would love healing more than money, he was not aware that it was about to come.

There must have been a moment of disappointment when they did not give him money that he was expecting Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

Circumstances would disappoint initially but in the end he was much better off Acts 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. Acts 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

2. Disappointments are not from God, don’t blame Him It is never His fault Do not get mad at God Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Not a disappointed end‌.

Good news is, it is not over!

Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Imagine how the paralytic felt at this moment not knowing what would ultimately happen He had come to walk again, although forgiveness is good, his purpose there was to be physically healed and that was not seeming to happen Mark 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Mark 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Although it looked disappointing for a moment, the end was far better than he ever expected, He was healed and forgiven!!

3. Make the Word your focus and not your circumstances We walk by faith and not by sight We trust God no matter how it looks Ps 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Circumstances will try to make you question God Ps 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Ps 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Ps 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. 4. Exercise Faith and not fear

Prov 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

We must trust God and not allow thoughts of unbelief or fear of what might happen to lead us Ps 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Ps 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

Ps 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Ps 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

He will never fail you He will never lead you into harms way He watches over you night and day He leads you beside still waters He comforts us Don’t believe the lies of circumstantial evidence Call those things that be not as though they were Speak to the mountain and move it Tread on serpents and scorpions, no power can hurt you 1Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;