How to Process Disappointments Biblically
As you know, I love supporting other writers. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of my close writing friends. Despite the fact that we live on different continents, I consider my friend Hadassah a kindred spirit. We regularly check in with each other on a personal level, pray for each other, and share our hearts. I’m honored to share Hadassah’s words with you today as she writes about how to process disappointments biblically. Here’s my dear friend:
How to Process Disappointments Biblically
Do you want to know how to process disappointments biblically?
Perhaps you had certain goals and dreams this year that didn’t come to fulfillment. Life is full of opportunities to get disappointed when things in our work, ministries, or relationships don’t develop the way we expect.
My latest disappointment stemmed from the realization that one major goal I set in my writing ministry this year didn’t come to fulfillment. Disappointment is painful, but it is also dangerous and unwise if we let it be unprocessed.
The Danger of Unprocessed Disappointments
Letting disappointments linger is dangerous because this can harm us in at least 3 ways.
First of all, disappointments breed lies like the following ones: “I am not good enough at what I am doing”, “There is no point in chasing this goal or dream”, “I am a failure”, “It is better I don’t try again”, or “I will never see fruits from my work.”
Next, unprocessed disappointments rob us of our passion and desire. Have you noticed how experiencing disappointments sucks the passion and desire out of you? Our motivation dwindles and we find it difficult to go on with our work and our ministries. What used to bring us joy now brings doubt and frustration.
Third, disappointments can make us pull away from God. This is the biggest danger. We start doubting the Lord’s call on our lives and if we heard Him correctly. We question the vision and the promises He gave us. We can accuse Him of not helping us accomplish what we wanted. All these emotions may cause pulling away from Him.
Unprocessed disappointments breed lies, rob us of our passion and desire, and can pull us away from God. #disappointed #mentalhealth #Christianliving Share on XHow to Process Disappointments Biblically – 6 Steps
Here are six helpful steps on how to process disappointments biblically.
#1 Name All Your Disappointments One by One
The first step is to face our disappointments. It is very helpful to name them one by one, specifically and concretely. Writing them down is also a good starting point.
#2 Release Them to God and Forgive
This step is a bit more difficult but necessary. Forgiving the people involved in our disappointments frees our hearts and prevents us from harboring bitterness and resentment. It is also a step of obedience and drawing near to God, opening the way for His healing. (Colossians 3:13)
#3 Replace the Lies You Believed with God’s Truth
We can write every untruthful thought that we think about ourselves or our lives because of the result of the disappointments and renounce each one of them. Then we can find out what the Bible says about our identity, God’s work in our life, and success. Last, it is good to pray over these truths and declare them over us.
#4 Dedicate to God Every Area of Disappointment
The next step is to pray specifically for the areas of disappointment and dedicate each one of them to God, asking Him for His blessing. If we need more growth, we ask Him for that; if we need an open door, we bring this need to Him.
#5 Ask for Healing
Healing is very important, and it needs time. It cleans our hearts from bitterness, anger, and resentment. The previous steps have prepared the road for our healing. Now we can ask God specifically for His healing touch in the wounded places in your heart.
#6 Ask for Restoration
The last step is to ask God to renew and restore what the disappointment has stolen from us. God is our source of strength and He is capable of filling us again with renewed passion, joy, and desire in our work, ministry, and relationships.
Struggling with disappointment? Here are 6 helpful steps on how to process disappointments biblically. #disappointed #encouragement #mentalhealth Share on XEncouraging Bible Truths in Processing Our Disappointments
“For the Lord, your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.” (Deuteronomy 16:15)
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.” (Proverbs 10:22)
“The prospect of the righteous is joy.” (Proverbs 10:28)
“I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23)
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
God is Faithful to Redeem Every Disappointment
Friend, the Lord wants to bless you and He will bless you in the work and ministry He has given you, even if things don’t happen the way we want them. He is faithful to redeem every failure and every disappointment.
Let’s entrust our path once again to His capable hands and say confidently with the psalmist,
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
A Helpful Resource to Process Disappointments
Do you want to change and transform the way you think about your disappointments? This e-book “How to Overcome Disappointment and Discouragement” dives deeper into this topic. You will learn about the role of our expectations, desires, rights and needs, as well as the role of false beliefs, and more biblical steps to overcome disappointments. Click here to get it into your email box today!
Your Turn
What is the greatest disappointment you struggle with right now? Share in the comments. If you found this post helpful, share it on social media to bless others. Thank you!
The Lord wants to bless you in the work and ministry He has given you, even if things don't happen the way we want them. He is faithful to redeem every failure and every disappointment. #encouragement #blessing #trustGod Share on XMeet Hadassah
Hadassah Treu is an international Christian author, blogger, and speaker, the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner of 2020. She is passionate about encouraging people on the journey of faith and a deeper walk with God. Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based platforms and devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured on (In)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Living by Design Ministries, Thoughts About God, Today’s Christian Living, and other popular sites. You can connect with Hadassah on her blog https://onthewaybg.com.
