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Jeff Bergstrom

How to Handle Disappointment

Good Sunday Morning,


Let me tell you a secret . . . shhhh . . . don’t tell anyone else but guess what . . . life is simply hard sometimes; sometimes it is not fair; and sometimes as much as we want things to go a certain way, they don’t . . . and that leads to disappointment. OK, so that really is not much of a secret, but it does get me to the point of my message.


The Google tells us that disappointment is the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations . . . and we all know that the Google knows, so it must be true.


So how best to handle disappointment you might ask; . . . or you might not, but you will get my thoughts, nonetheless.


One approach is to lower your standards . . . which for you parents of teenage daughters, is what I suggest that you teach them about dating boys. For the rest of us, I am going to go with . . . be cognizant of what is actually happening that causes your disappointment; that will help guide your response. Knowing the facts is critical to whether you end up fixated on the negative (which tends to diminish your spiritual strength . . . and don’t even get me started on why that is not a good thing) or you can focus on what led up to the disappointment and the lesson learned, which will enable you to keep your mind properly focused and will not affect the love that you should have for others or question the love that God always has for you.


Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways to submit to him, and he will make our paths straight. Do not be wise in our own eyes; fear (which back in the day actually meant “to have a deep respect, or reverence and awe for God’s power and authority”) the Lord and shun evil, which will bring health to our body and nourishment to our bones. Personally, with that passage as your guide, I have no idea why you are leaning on me for inspiration . . . you might be disappointed, but even so, I appreciate you.


But if you need more . . . and since I do not want to disappoint you, let me direct you to the following -


“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7


“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28


And how about that we can once again get strength and inspiration from the prophet Jeremiah when he reminded us of God’s declaration that he knows the plans that he has for us, and those plans are to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.


So, until the inevitable instance of disappointment comes your way, pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, relax . . . remember, there is no disappointment in heaven . . . and then take solace in knowing that the Lord has made this day; may you rejoice and be glad in it.


Jeff Bergstrom


P.S. Don’t forget your support for CLC, the community, and the world by clicking here – Give | Christ Lutheran Church (ccbchurch.com)


P.P.S. What do you have planned for the rest of today? Me? I’m planning on sitting here, drinking beer, talking God, Amen.

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