Finding Strength in the Midst of Disappointment

Genesis says that we were created perfect in the Garden of Eden. Revelation 22 describes the end of the age when God will create a new heaven and new earth, and our perfection will be restored.

Therein lies the rub: Between Eden and eternity, life is filled with disappointment, and we don’t always know how to handle it well. We push disappointment aside. We ignore it. We numb it. We bury it. We doubt God’s love for us. Or we succumb to discouragement so deep and dark that it’s tough to escape.

Lysa TerKeurst has been there. Recently, in fact. She’s the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, a successful Christian author, and the mother of five adult children. But her life began to unravel, and there was little she could do to stop it.

Her husband of 25 years entered into an affair and refused to leave it. She suffered a medical issue so severe it nearly killed her. That was all quickly followed with the diagnosis of breast cancer. She felt alone, abandoned by God, and so emotionally and spiritually drained, she had trouble even praying.

It’s been a difficult journey, but along the way, Lysa has experienced the Person of God more deeply than she ever has before.

God uses our disappointment to draw us to Himself. The woman caught in adultery. Matthew, the tax collector. The woman who reached for the hem of Jesus’ garment in search of healing. The sick, the blind, the deaf. Jesus showed deep compassion for the downtrodden, the hurting, and the crushed in spirit.

When you think to yourself, “It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” you’ll be tempted to doubt God, to worry, or even to abandon your faith. In those times, remember Hebrews 12:2, which encourages us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Devote your thoughts to the hope and the healing that is always present with Him. He knows what you’re going through. He sees you, and He loves you.

If you’re going through deep disappointment, we at Focus on the Family want to come alongside you with some practical help and some biblical perspective. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

I invite you to join us for our conversation with Lysa TerKeurst on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Finding Strength in the Midst of Disappointment.” She’s with us to share her story and to offer hope. (Hear the program on your local radio station, online, iTunes, via Podcast, on our free phone app, or watch the program on our YouTube channel.)

If you’d like to speak to one of our Christian counselors on staff, give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

I also hope you’ll consider participating in our “Friends of Focus on the Family” program by becoming a monthly partner. When you do, I’ll send you a free copy of Lysa’s book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered as a way of saying thank you. To make your pledge, or for more information, visit our website for details.