Recently I have had the same conversation with two different friends. Both friends were going through a season of confusion and pain and they are hurting. Both friends wanted something and God seemed to be saying no, or wait, or nothing at all. Both friends were praying for God to answer their prayers with a yes or take the desire away. With each conversation I could mirror my own heart with their pain. I think everyone could say that they have felt like this before, possibly even right now. I wanted to share what I shared with them and I pray that it brings hope to you and whatever situation you’re in right now.
3 ways to handle disappointment with God.
1. Be honest with God. Sometimes we don’t like saying the truth of how we’re feeling out loud and forget that God already knows. God knows what’s in our hearts so when we hold back from being honest with God, we’re not hiding anything from Him. God wants us to be intimate and close with Him and that can’t happen if we’re holding back. Two years ago I wrote a blog post about it and if you’re interest you could read more here.
2. Speak truth to the lies. It’s so easy for us to spiral into a nasty pit of lies. Lies are so convincing and they cause trouble after trouble. We need to be able to identify the lies and find Biblical truth to speak over our hearts. When we feel like God has forgotten us, we can identify that lie because Scripture tells us that God is always watching us (Psalm 34:15). When we feel like God has given other people purpose but we don’t have any kingdom work we know that is a lie because Scripture tells us that God created us with purpose in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). Learning to identity lies and speak truth to them is such a helpful tool to fight discouragement.
3. Keep moving forward. This is how we define walking by faith not by sight. Even when we don’t see what we want on the path in front of us, or can’t see what’s in front of us at all we walk by faith. We can keep moving forward. Keep being brave and being honest and showing up. Attend your church and sing the songs, even if your feelings don’t match the truth of what you’re singing. Believe that truth of God’s word even when it feels conflicting to you’re feelings and experiences. God is good and faithful even when we don’t feel it. You can walk into the doors of your church or bible study or community and be honest that you aren’t fine. You can chose to be present and walk by faith even with a broken heart.
Being honest and asking for help is a brave and bold step. You are so brave and I’m so proud of you. You are seen, loved, and intentionally created for good works. God is mighty in you sweet friend!
One of my favorite things is to coach women! It brings me so much joy to walk alongside of a woman being honest with where they are and making a move forward. If you resonate with anything in this email, please don’t keep suffering alone. There is freedom for you right where you’re at! Let’s get there together.
Write a new script
If there is a specific lie you are struggling with, I’d encourage you to write a new script. I have found this to be so helpful in my own life and for my clients. I’d like to offer you a script I recently came across. A friend said that she uses the script “I can do this all night” when bedtime with her kids is not going well. As I reflected on the hard times of day in my own home I realized that this new script could be really useful. I have found so much fruit from this small change that has made a huge difference. When I feel myself get frustrated and my body responds I say to myself “I can do this all day” because I know with God’s strength I can. I can deal with one meltdown after another because I always have a choice. I choice how I respond and react to my circumstances.
I pray that maybe this little phrase can be useful for you, even if you don’t have kids. I pray you can feel God’s strength in hard moments and you can change your thinking from I don’t think I can do this anymore to I can do this all day. God is mighty in you!
Abigail Denton 