“ Is there some way to prepare ahead of time so we can navigate through disappointment without the emotional rollercoaster? I would suggest that yes, there is!"

We are all familiar with disappointment. Who wants to wake up knowing your day will be filled with challenges and discouragement? Ah, no one! We’d like to avoid these feelings and yet, life brings disappointment by its very nature. Sometimes we are tempted to just give up on all of our expectations. If we do not expect good things, then we cannot be disappointed when our hopes are dashed.

We’d like to think that we negotiate our world well, and that we can handle whatever comes our way with ease. Some days it appears like we’ve done it, and other days we feel a distinct sense of failure as discouragement descends. Is there some way to prepare ahead of time so we can navigate through disappointment without the emotional rollercoaster? I would suggest that yes, there is!

Faith believes that God has a plan to provide for you

and that He can be trusted.

The key to overcoming disappointment is to put your faith in the God who loves you! Faith believes that God has a plan to provide for you and that He can be trusted. If you decide to believe that God will make a way for you, you trust that He is still working even when life brings discouragement. You’ve already decided that He will bring comfort and that the following verse is true and trustworthy. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19 NIV) If your expectation is settled in hope, you are better prepared to see that today’s disappointment is temporary. God will make a way even when there seems to be no way. If you are patient and allow Holy Spirit to bring comfort and direction, God will come through for you. He is faithful. It is His nature. Just wait and see how He will move if you continue to trust.

Circumstances will often lead us to confusion and negative emotions. However, if we know in our hearts that God is good and He loves us, the emotions are tempered by a knowing that He himself is the answer to our heart’s cry. Are you willing to trust God with your circumstances and emotions? I want to encourage you to live with hope in God. He will not disappoint!

For more keys, take a look at my book, “Overcoming Disappointment and Discouragement.” Kathy Spampinato