Disappointment in Others

Sometimes disappointment comes because we have in our heads a set of self-righteous, sometimes silent rules that become the line on which all others must walk. We are disappointed when they don't see things our way, or when they don't cooperate, or when they don't measure up, or when they tell us that we don't measure up, or even when they ignore us completely. Maybe they don't even see the line we have drawn yet we hold them to walking that line in our own imagination! Maybe they try to walk your line and keep stepping off. Maybe they purposely run around your line. Maybe they ignore the line and make a line of their own. Maybe you should never have drawn that line.

Disappointment comes when we hold out our own standard for a person and they fall short. Disappointment comes when we desire something from another person and they do not deliver. However the disappointment may come, it all has the same focus. It is an earthly focus on people and not a heavenly focus on God. If someone disappoints you, then you must have been looking to them for something. Let the disappointment cause you to bring them before the Lord, learn of Him and become meek and lowly of heart and find rest. Usually when we are disappointed, we are not meek, but mad. We are not lowly, but haughty. We are not at rest, but are in turmoil. The answer? Yoke up with Jesus and learn of Him. People will fail you, your children will fail you, your family and friends will fail you. You will fail yourself. He will never fail you. Do you know Him in this way? Do you run to Him when you are disappointed or do you lash out or cry out to others? Cry out to Him for He really hears you when you cry. He doesn't just listen, He hears. He hears the hurt and the turmoil and the disappointment and He is ready to say to it, "Peace be still."

If you find yourself disappointed, let that be a flag to you to stop and refocus. Refocus your eyes and redraw your line heavenward. Cry out to God; let Him carry your load. Get shoulder to shoulder with Him and learn His ways. When He steps, you step. Walk His line. You will never be disappointed in Him. In fact, when you are disappointed and you turn to Him, you will find that even the disappointments in life can be sweet because they drew you even closer to the Savior.

 Psalms 73:21-28

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.