Disappointment that Led to Thankfulness

Have you ever had a disappointment that led to thankfulness?

I did.

It was humbling and humiliating, but resulted in a better me.

I’m so thankful where I ended up.

But it was hard.

Let me explain.

Giving thanks even when you know disappointment is coming

The idea to write this post came from several converging events.

My friend Barb Roose wrote a newsletter post relating to 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

You know, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJV)

In her post, Barb referenced Mark 14:22-23 where Jesus blessed the bread at the Last Supper.

Here’s her observation:

Notice Jesus’ actions here: He blessed the bread before he tore it. He gave thanks to God before sharing the wine. The bread and wine symbolized the brokenness and suffering that was to come in Jesus’ life. Yet, he still gave thanks anyway.

Jesus even gave thanks while his future betrayer Judas was sitting right at the table with him. Some of you have felt the sharp stab of betrayal or difficult people. Jesus gave thanks right in the middle of it, not waiting until later.

The Blessing of the “Hard” Giving Thanks, Barb Roose Newsletter

Jesus expected disappointment to come. He knew the disciples would betray him.

But He gave thanks anyway, because He knew the outcome of the price He would pay: salvation for all.

Had I known the disappointment that was to come to me those years ago, would I have been thankful?

Uh, no.

When did God disappoint you?

While listening to a talk on Psalm 73 by Ken Fish, his question struck me.

He described how Asaph, a composer of psalms described the agony of disappointment.

A close associate of King David’s, he led worship in the Shiloh Tabernacle.

He’d worshipped God faithfully for years, but when he looked around, he saw the wicked people prospering in ways Asaph was not.

“All in vain have I kept my heart clean,” he said, “and washed my hands in innocence.” (Psalm 73:13)

He carried on in this vein, complaining and with envy eating at his soul. As the Psalm continued, we watch as he processes the disappointment.

Fish described all this and then asked the pertinent question, “where did God disappoint you in your life?”

How often does resentment about not getting what we worked hard for, turn our faith and attitude to ashes?

I knew that pang, oh so very well.

Making everyone miserable in my disappointment

Years of hard work turned up nothing. Expenses mounted, nothing improved.

Eventually, I gave myself a month to mourn.

I needed to mourn.

But, then that month turned into a second month, headed toward a third.

I railed at God, much like Asaph, until I realized, “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.” (Psalm 73:21-22 NKJV)

Acid tipped my tongue.

The people in my life–the ones who received the bitterness from my tongue–said little, but listened and loved.

But one day, I raised my head, remembering the1Thessalonian passage.

The people I love didn’t deserve my disappointment. I could see how with each pointed remark, I didn’t hurt them as much as I savaged my own heart. I was pushing the seed root of bitterness deep into my soul.

But what to do with this disappointment?

In everything give thanks–or, just be grateful.

How often have I written on this subject?

While disappointment remained, I needed to let God change my heart.

The only was to choose to be grateful for what I had, to be thankful, rather than bitter.

I started that day. I chose gratitude.

It was hard that first day. And the day after, and the day after.

But in choosing gratitude moment after moment, day after day, my heart lifted.

I meditated on the names and attributes of God.

Years later, because I am years away from that terrible time, I’m so grateful for so much.

Disappointment turned to gratitude. I can now see how the will of God took me in a different direction.

Gratitude became a habit.

This Thanksgiving week, I remember that time, and I’m thankful.

Thankful I didn’t remain stuck–because, of course, the Word of God placed deep in my heart years ago, returns good.

And my friends and family seem to be happier with me!

Thanks be to God.

Tweetables

How to turn disappointment into gratitude. Click to Tweet

In everything give thanks . . . why? Click to Tweet