We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 3:3-5 NLT

This is a throwback Thursday moment to Phil Keaggy 1977 Love Broke Thru Album and the song Disappointment. The first lines have remained with Me to recenter my thoughts while enduring disappointment.

 Disappointment - His appointment,
 Change one letter, then I see
 That the thwarting of my purpose
 Is God's better choice for me.
 
His appointment must be blessing
 Though it may come in disguise
 For the end from the beginning,
 Open to His wisdom lies.

Everybody deals with disappointment. Our nation is 50 percent divided politically, which means every election at least half of the country will be disappointed. Many have prayed for a certain outcome regarding healing, restoration, justice, mercy, or revival and the answer has not come back the way we purposed it. How can we move forward from disappointment?

It always starts with the right confession. We speak what is true and just even before we feel it. Recently I had a close friend die from a brain tumor complication. When Pam shared the news with me, I could feel the grief rise in my chest and throat. I wanted one more conversation, I wanted him to be healed this side of heaven, I was already missing the joy of our conversations.

Then I spoke, “I hate sickness and disease! I hate death! BUT Jesus has become victor over both!” 

Knowing Jesus was in ultimate control of the situation, knowing my friend was a child of God, knowing that he has received his ultimate healing, knowing that his transition of eternal life has moved to heaven, knowing that God’s wisdom and ways lead with His love, began to bring comfort to my grief. All of this knowing came after my confession of seeing Jesus as the victor over the grave and death.

Right confession does not deny that the disappointment is real and sometimes tragic. It leads to a foundation of knowing that “all things work together for the good of those who love Him.” It leads to positioning myself to receive the love of My Father. When I remain complaining, bitter and unforgiving, it is hard to move forward. Sitting in misery is not the position to receive the arrival of hope.

Paul in Romans says that we can choose how to respond when we are disappointed. We start by rejoicing. This type of transition occurs by the revelation of HISappointment in the matter. It redirects our gaze to trusting in God’s greater purposes.

Receive comfort. God is stil in charge. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 KJV Not everything that happens is good, But God is good all the time. That’s the start of a right confession of Hisappointment.

Blessing Love y’all