Disappointment
Lately, I’ve had to learn to deal with disappointment.
It’s not that I’ve never been disappointed until recently, but I got to a point where I had to let go before it affected other areas of my life.
You see, I was looking to others to validate me, to complete me. And when they let me down, I felt like there was something wrong with me, that I had done something wrong. Then I would be bitter towards them because of the way I felt.
That is dangerous for a couple reasons.
First, I’m putting unfair expectations on people. No one is perfect, and I’m a prime example of that. So expecting them to act a certain way, to validate me with their actions, is too much pressure.
That destroys relationships. Friendships and marriages can fall apart because of unfair/unmet expectations.
Second, I was never meant to find my satisfaction or validation in other people.
I believe we were all created as relational beings. We need others to walk through life with us. But when we look to them to “complete” us, we are setting ourselves up for failure.
The evening that I faced my disappointment head on, I was reminded that there is only one source for my satisfaction, Jesus Christ.
He is the only One who will never fail me, the only One who I can expect to do exactly what He said He would do.
This wasn’t something I didn’t know, just something that I had allowed myself to forget, becoming distracted by earthly relationships.
This reminder was incredibly freeing. I can simply be thankful for the relationships I have, and enjoy all of the times we share. And when I am disappointed, I can let it go, because they are not my source of satisfaction.
I leave you with Psalm 90:14:
“Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Grace and Peace
