How to Handle Disappointment – Part I
Webster defines disappoint as “to fail to satisfy the hopes or expectations of, to leave unsatisfied.” Another meaning is “undo, frustrate, thwart.” They’re going to us from time to time. It’s how we handle them that matters. Click to Tweet #handledisappointment #forgivereleaseadvance
It says in the bible that hope doesn’t disappoint, but it’s our hope in Christ that doesn’t disappoint. Our hopes, dreams, expectations of others will disappoint. We live in a fallen world, and people are not perfect, so they will hurt and disappoint us.
I recently emailed a friend to see if she was going to go to a regional writers’ conference we were both at last year. (See Please, Get Your Facts Straight). She actually won something there, but it turned out a disappointment because promises weren’t kept, advice wasn’t given, and my friend’s book is still unpublished.
Neither of us is going back this year. I’ve dealt with my huge disappointment a year ago and yet the memory still stings a little, as when a scar is bumped while it’s healing.
The important things to remember are:
- Forgive what happened, people, events, etc.
- Release the pain (this is vital)
- Advance (move forward, take a step)
In the next few weeks, I’ll concentrate on each of these three. Because we can’t move forward until we release the pain, disappointments, and hurts from the past. It’s a process, but we can move past the wounds into a freedom, joy, and abundance. Click to Tweet #handledisappointment #forgivereleaseadvance
Donna L.H. Smith 