During the holidays, disappointment often is painfully conspicious. Tough economic times also prompt disappointment to surface. Guard against disappointment, the dull knife that severs hope.
We may not consciously acknowledge that life saddens us because the way we live is not the life we imagined as teens. We may never utter a word when our employers, lawmakers, spouses, family members or spiritual leaders disappoint us. We may grieve because our best friends and hang-out buddies are not who we long for them to be. We resist acknowledging the inner pain of disappointment, but our emotions seep through in every way conceivable. Our voices rise and fall with frustration. We eat to silence screams. We party heartily to drown out the noise of loneliness.
High, unrealistic, and just plain ol' unfulfilled expectations fuel our inner turmoil. The huge letdown ushers in regret, restlessness and silence, a perilous state that hinders positive steps toward fresh, and maybe unexpected, success. Believe it; disappointment is real, but don't befriend it. Exorcise disappointment from the wells of your heart.
One word of encouragement if disappointment tries to seduce you during this holiday season: Keep expectations in the right place. Don't carry expectations in your pockets like loose change or trade them with your friends like baseball cards. Let expectations remain in the bosom of God, the only person who can do something about all of our hopes.
Judy Howard Ellis
P.S. Chuck Pierce writes about a similiar theme today on The Elijah List. He says this about God's view of our lives now: "Declare a season ended. Declare old thoughts to be pulled out. Declare changes in alliances. Let go of losses. Let go of bruised expectations. I have new assignments. Flow to a new shore!"
