Trusting God in Quiet Disappointment - Your Nightly Prayer - September 15
Trusting God in Quiet Disappointment
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 4:11
SOMETHING TO PONDER
No matter our efforts, intentions, or even accomplishments, each of us is disappointed at some point. Sometimes we are disappointed in ourselves and the decisions we’ve made, whether intentional or not, and other times, we are let down by people we love.
Marriages fail, friendships crumble, churches split, siblings quarrel, the world wars with itself—is it any wonder that life leaves us feeling as though something better should have happened by now?
When I consider those who have disappointed me the most (outside myself, because I’m my own worst critic), they are always the people I care about the most. The deeper we love someone, the deeper they can hurt us. In love, we have made ourselves vulnerable to someone our hearts are tied to.
We’ve put our worst on the table in the name of trust, so when that trust is shattered, we're left afraid to be vulnerable again. Even worse, it teaches us to be skeptical of receiving love from anyone else, including God.
If I’m honest, there have been times when I have been disappointed in God and questioned both His sovereignty and His love. I’ve been broken by the outcome of a loved one’s terminal illness, disheartened when my hard work didn’t produce the right contract or paycheck, and angered by the injustice that tears communities apart. I question what it means for God to be good, for Him to be sovereign, and for me to accept that I am not God.
When I’m in this cynical headspace, I must remind myself that the root of almost all sin is pride:
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
"For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3
We think we know better, can do better, and are right because of our feelings and perceptions. We are so consumed by our opinion and need for control that we forget that very thing—we only have one opinion because we only have one perspective, one limited understanding of how everything can (or should) operate.
We are only one person, surrounded by one circle of people, at one time in history, with one lens through which we can see only our small piece of the world.
We are swayed by our feelings, deceived by our ignorance, and crippled by our feeble bodies.
We are human, and as humans, who are we to think that we can define justice for all of time, space, and matter? Who are we to think we always know the right answer?
We are human, and as prideful humans, we shouldn’t believe that we can understand the mysteries of God. And when we look around at the world, we are all on an equal playing field, surrounded by other finite humans. Thus, whether we fully understand Him—or at times even dislike Him—we have nowhere to turn for heavenly wisdom but God.
He is the one in whom I put my hope, as the Psalmist does. Because the more I live life, the more I discover how little I know… and how selfish I am.
His goodness isn’t deterred by our sinfulness. His justice isn’t impacted by our injustice. Who He is can’t be impacted by mere mortals. So I will continue to live into the truth that He is good, that His mercy endures, and that His grace is forever available, not because life is never disappointing, but because mankind, myself included, is.
If you’re disappointed in God, friend, don’t allow masked pride to deceive you into thinking God is to blame. He’s without blame, without blemish. He is love, and He is healing for all who are broken and disappointed.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father, in a world that’s filled with disappointments and heartache, remind us that you are for us. You are our good, good God who delights in blessing us. Fix our eyes on you and your purpose, even amid our pain and suffering.
Keep us humble, Lord, as we surrender the prideful egos that want us to believe the lie that we know best. With your love and patience, teach us what it means to be human, to be created rather than being the Creator.
Gift us with your guidance, wisdom, and hope.
We praise you for your goodness, God. Amen.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Mkovalevskaya
Related Resource: Praying Through Psalm 68: When God is Bigger Than Your Problems!
What happens when the giants you are facing—whether overwhelmingly massive or seemingly insignificant—trick you into believing God doesn't care about your daily struggles?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for an inspiring devotional on Psalm 68, a triumphant and powerful psalm that celebrates the unmatched bigness of God and reminds us that no earthly enemy or obstacle stands a chance against Him. If this episode helps you connect with God through prayer, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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