The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1 ESV)
Disappointment and Love
Disappointment happens when we are unable to have something we want. That thing we want might be a possession, a relationship, knowledge, or a situation. That things we want might be noble or shallow. That thing we want might be selfish or selfless. But when we do not have it, we become disappointed.
Usually we expect that the answer to our disappointment is found in fulfilling those unmet expectations. If disappointed because of the lack of a possession, we seek the possession. If disappointed because of the lack of a relationship, enter a better relationship, or fix our broken one. If disappointed because of something we do not know, learn it. If disappointed because of a situation, alter our circumstances.
But those answers are not permanent. They satisfy for a time, but disappointment soon appears again. The possession will rust or fade. The relationship will alter or end. The knowledge will become obsolete. The situation changes. And there we are in Disappointment Town again.
But there is One way to not want. To lack nothing. To find contentment and leave disappointment.
Jesus.
We need Jesus as our shepherd, then we will not be disappointed. We need Jesus as our shepherd, then we will not focus so much on our possessions, other relationships, knowledge, or situations. It is not that those other needs disappear… but rather those other needs are placed in perspective.
Jesus is eternal… Jesus is complete… Jesus is almighty… Jesus is power… Jesus is wise… Jesus is the answer to every problem caused by sin, which is every problem in the universe.
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lordlack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10 ESV)
And relationship with Jesus is summed up with one word: Love.
His love for us makes our disappointment ultimately irrelevant. His love for us makes our disappointment a fleeting thing. His love for us turns our disappointment into satisfaction, contentment, joy, and peace.
The answer to disappointment is love. And the best place to find love is with Jesus.
Take the love God grants us.