As born-again women, we are called to not only love God in moments of celebration but also in the shadows of dashed hopes. Holding onto faith and trust in God in times of unmet expectations is a sign of our unconditional love for Him. Disappointment is inevitable; it is a universal human experience. We get disappointed when our efforts fail to bear fruit, when the people we trust betray us, and when life’s occurrences challenge our expectations.
In Proverbs 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Even so, we must prove to God that we love Him with all our heart, mind and soul when hope defers. But how can we do this?
Amid life’s disappointments, this is what we should do to express our love for God;
Seek His Guidance Through Prayer
When disappointment knocks, prayer becomes the channel through which we pour out our emotions and experiences to God. Moreover, through prayer, we seek God’s guidance and wisdom to help us navigate our situations. In times of disappointment, we can easily sin. But when we devote ourselves to prayer, we draw closer to God and our relationship with Him blossoms. Consider the instruction of God in Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Disappointment should not draw us into a state of anxiety but into an active prayer life.
Give Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
The Bible instructs us to give thanks, even in moments of disappointment. When we cultivate a grateful attitude, we overcome the temptation of questioning God and grumbling. Gratitude is a powerful expression of our love for God even in times of unmet expectations. It is a way of telling Him that our connection to Him is natural and is not based on what He does for us. Through gratitude, we prove to God that our love is not dependent on favorable outcomes but on who He is.
Surrender to the Will and Plan of God
In John 14:21, Jesus states that those who love Him obey His commands. Obeying God and surrendering to His perfect plan for us is an expression of love that transcends circumstances. In our act of surrender, we communicate to God that even though we have been disappointed, we still trust that He has our best interests at heart. Think about the words of Jesus when He prayed on Mount Olives before His death. In Luke 22:42, Jesus prayed;
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus surrendered to the will of God even though what He was going through was painful. We too are called to do the same in times of disappointment.
Inasmuch as it might not seem easy to love God in life’s disappointments, it is possible. Someone who truly loves you will not leave you in times of hardship. Rather, they stick even closer than ever before. Therefore, if we truly love God, we must remain steadfast in Him, both in good and bad times. Our love for Him should not be defined by seasons and circumstances. Pray, give thanks, and surrender to God’s will when life’s disappointments knock.
Join the December Bible reading plan as we get insight directly from God’s Word for a wise way of living.
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