15 April 2009 - Disappointment

Because Your anger and fury, ashes are my food, and my tears are mixed with my drink. You picked me up and threw me away. (Psalm 102:9,10)

Everybody experiences disappointment in their lives. Usually, it occurs because of unmet expectations. We have planned everything carefully, but far from working well, it turns up to be a disaster. We prepare everything meticulously, but there are still some noticeable flaws. There is a disappointment when what we expect does not turn into reality.

The same facts of life applies in our relationship with God. We have expectations and God has His own expectations. Often, our expectation and His expectation do not match. We ask for what we want, but God is more interested in giving what we need. When our desires differ from God's plan, we tend to be upset and blame God for neglecting our prayers. But wait a minute... Aren't we the one supposed to listen to Him? Isn't God the One Who knows us better? Many times people forget this...

When sufferings come, we must not judge the situations too quickly. Don't come straight to the conclusion that God has abandoned us or God has opposed us. God never abandons His people, just like a father never neglects his children. When we face disappointments, it is not God who has disappointed us by not giving us what we want. But it is our expectation that has misaligned from His. God still gives us what we need. His promise is as sure as sunrise.

So, blaming God is not the solution to our disappointment. God will not follow our will even if we cry aloud insisting on what we want, if He knows that it is not the best for us. We will realize one day that our desires are not all beneficial to us. Thanks to God, He does not fulfill them straightaway. Instead of blaming, God let us be hopeful, like what the psalmist sang in his psalm. “He heard the groans of prisoners and set free those who were condemned to die (Psalm 102:20).” The time will come when God restores those who are broken. But until that day comes, keep on hoping and praying. Reflect on your expectations. Don't let your wrong expectations cause your sufferings.

Martina McBride sang “Do It Anyway”. God is great, but sometimes life ain't good. And when I pray, it doesn't turn up like I think it should. But I do it anyway. I do it anyway...