Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

While wasting a few precious moments of time on a well known social media site, I came across a heart-wrenching post from a person who was apparently having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad kind of day. From the pit of their bared soul they shared, “Worst parts about being human: Disappointment. Unrealistic expectations. Other humans who let you down. Dreams out of reach. Fighting hard for nothing. Feeling disappointed.”

Apparently the emotion of disappointment had taken a stealthy swing at their soul and its effects were far-reaching for it knocked even their dreams out of the range of plausible. I do not know this person intimately, but I do know this is an individual desperately attempting to take down the walls of their Jericho and claim their now.

Romans 5:5, And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.

When we step up, sometimes we trip. When we step out, sometimes we fall. But tripping and falling are all part and parcel in this journey called life. The scriptures are stuffed full of people who experienced great disappointment in both people and circumstances: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth. Job, Joseph, Elijah, and Moses just to name a few.

Each of their life stories are rich and layered, and when we study them we can see how God certainly weaved all things together for His glory and their purpose. And to think that not one of them knew that their story and legacy would survive thousands of years beyond the grave to shape the lives of millions upon millions of souls. Each of their tales are indeed epic teaching us the foundations of our faith, but perhaps one of the greatest lessons we can learn from their legacies is that our emotions do not define us. Our emotions are there to guide us.

If given the chance, God can use our letdowns to show us a picture bigger than ourselves because disappointments bring us great wisdom. We seem to internalize our disappointments- whether in others, ourselves, or a situation- as setbacks. Perhaps if we choose to view our disappointments as stepping stones in our journey, the Holy Spirit could give us greater clarity and wisdom by shedding a little more light unto our path.

Father, you know that being human isn’t easy. Help me to remember that my emotions do not define me, expectations can always be negotiated, and I must accept human frailty. My dreams are never out of reach for you hid them deep within me. And if I’m fighting the good fight, it’s never for nothing. It’s for your glory. In Jesus name, amen.

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