We have two large catmint plants in our front flower bed, keeping the neighborhood bees busy and happy. We’ve even had hummingbirds visit from time to time. The flowers grow in groups along a tall stem, as you can see in this second picture below.
Look at all those wells of nectar!! Each blossom grows, blooms, and does what it was created to do, regardless of what the blossom next door is doing. None of them keeps track of how many bee visits everyone gets, or who’s the most beautiful on the stalk, or who’s getting their picture taken!
Disappointment is completely unknown to them. Oh, to be so unaffected by those we live, work and play with! Disappointment can come in innumerable ways. Broken promises, unmet expectations, lies and half-truths, and dashed hopes are just a few of the things that can bring a heavy feeling of disappointment. What do we do when disappointment comes?
Our first step should be to look within. What is our hope based upon? Is it based on imperfect humans? That’s a sure way to be disappointed. “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous–not even one‘” (Romans 3:10). None of us is perfect, and we are all going to fall short at one point or another. Is our hope based on what happens in our lives? There’s another surefire way to get discouraged. Jesus promised us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33). It’s going to happen.
David wrote, “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy” (Psalm 28:7). David’s focus was clearly in the right place. God’s promises are always true, and He does not lie. Look back over your life and start listing the ways that God has upheld you, provided for you, healed you, pruned you for more growth, strengthened you, and guided you. You can trust Him to continue doing those things, although they may not look the way you expect.
Are you disappointed? Examine your heart. What exactly are you disappointed about? Talk to God about it. Ask Him for help to forgive or overcome, and to press on. He knows and understands your struggles, and wants to help you. You are deeply loved!
Lauri Hawley 
Disappointment needs to be dealt with or it threatens to become bitterness. Great article.
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Thank you, Joseph. Yes, it’s easy to dwell on, and the more attention we feed it, the larger it grows. On top of that, we somehow feel that we have a right to hold onto it, and in our twisted thinking, believe that will balance the equation and solve it all! “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
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