Delight in Disappointment

It may come as a shock to no one that I have two left feet and cannot dance to save my life. For some reason, in the 5th grade my mother urged me to try out for our Middle School Dance Team, "Pony Pride". I was actually excited to try out because I had only ever played basketball up to that point. The dance team got their headshots hung up in the main hall of the school and get customized duffle bags. I was sold! I went through a week of training and try outs and truly thought they would make me captain because I was so good. They sent out the final roster on a Friday night via email. You probably already know where this is going, but I did not make the team. I was absolutely devastated and disappointed. This is one of the first times in my life I can remember being so disappointed, and as silly as it sounds, mad at God. I was mad because I had spent the whole week praying to make this dance team, and it did not happen!

I tell you this silly story because I am positive all of us can think of many times in our lives where we were just utterly disappointed. Disappointed by a friend, spouse, co-worker, and so on. For a long time, I believed that it was sinful to be disappointed at circumstances in my life. It was not until my high school mentor told me, "God wants your disappointments." Which sounds so simple, but it absolutely blew me away when I first heard it. That God wants me to draw near to Him in my confusion and frustration. It is such a sweet and simple truth, that to this day, I cling onto.

"He wants us to draw strength from His love, but the only ones qualified to do that are sinners in need of undeserved love. And He doesn't just want us to be forgiven. He wants us."

Dave Ortlund

Prayer Tip #21 - Bring your heartaches and disappointments to God.

James 4:8

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

The best news is that we serve a God who does not just want us when we are cleaned up and at our best. God desires to be near to His people. We see this perfect love at the work of the Cross. God cares about the things you care about. It is silly, but sweet that God genuinely cared about when I did not make Pony Pride. There has been many times in my life that I have just sat with God in the middle of a heartache. I can confidently say there is no sweeter place to be!

Prayer Points:

• Heavenly Father, help me to bring my burdens before You.

• God, thank You for being near to me always.

• Lord, thank You for Your daily mercies and grace.

Suggested Prayer –

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being near to me in the midst of heartache and disappointment. I am thankful that I can bring my burdens before You. Help me this week to spend intentional time with You, even when I don't feel like it. You are a gracious God that desires to be with me even when I am in the midst of chaos. Thank You for Your daily mercies.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For His Glory,

Haley Thorpe