Because Sometimes There Are Disappointments

There was a big football game played yesterday.  You may have heard about it.  It was a great game......if you're a Seattle Seahawks fan.  However, for those of us who are Denver Broncos fans, not so much.  Congratulations to the Seahawks and their fans. 

The game obviously did not turn out the way I had hoped, or expected.  I'm a Broncos fan.  I have been a Broncos fan for as long as I can remember.  Even before we moved to Colorado, I pulled for the Broncos.  And in the Colorado years, and all the years since, I've been cheering them on.  So yesterday's result was a disappointment.

It's a picture of how life is, really.  Things don't always turn out the way we want them to.  Or expect them to.  And that's hard.

But just as on the football field, there are winners and there are losers in every area of life.  And just as on the football field, things don't always go according to plan.  And just as on the football field, life doesn't always turn out the way we expect.  And just as on the football field, sometimes we're disappointed.

It could be in a relationship.  Or a financial situation.  Or on the job.  Or in the family. 

It's true in every area of life.  We sometimes must deal with disappointment.  Because things don't always go our way.  Even when we have tried our best.  Even when we've done everything right.  Even when we've done nothing wrong.  Even then.  Because that's just how life is.  Things don't always go our way.  They don't always turn out the way we expect them to.  Sometimes life is hard.

So, what do we do?  When we're disappointed.  When stuff happens.  When things don't go our way.

Do we just give up?  Do we decide never to try again?  Do we throw in the towel? 

The Broncos will play football again.  Although certainly they were disappointed with yesterday's results, I don't think the Bronco franchise will shut down and refuse to play ever again.

And so it is for us, when life is less than we expect it to be.  When we're disappointed.  When things don't go our way. 

Life goes on.  We can evaluate our situations and learn from whatever mistakes we might have made.  Even so, that doesn't mean we will never be disappointed again.

It remains a matter of perspective.  We can be defeated by our circumstances.  By our losses and disappointments and frustrations.  We can choose to be defined by them.  Or not.

As in so many other areas of life, it's a choice.  Because sometimes there are disappointments.  But we are not defined by our circumstances and our disappointments, but by our relationship with Jesus.  And thankfully, that is not defined by circumstances!

"[Jesus said], In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33 ESV)

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)