Divine Disappointments

Often, our disappointments can be discouraging, frustrating, untimely, and downright cruel! However, disappointments, if viewed through the lens of faith, can sometimes be divine direction in disguise.

A story that puts that in perspective is about one of England's effective preachers, J. Stuart Holden, who chose not to travel to America for an important conference due to his wife's declining health. Although he had already purchased his ticket, the ship sailed without him, marking a missed opportunity in the prime of his preaching career. As a devoted husband, he dedicated himself to caring for his wife and tried not to dwell on what he was missing across the Atlantic.

We often become too easily disappointed when our plans fall through and discouraged when we miss out on seemingly great career opportunities. Our complaints may reveal that we don't truly understand God as we claim. Sometimes, delays can serve as a protective hand from our heavenly Father. This case was certainly true for Holden, who resolved never again to question God's timing. Why? Because the unused ticket he held was for the new "unsinkable" luxury liner—RMS Titanic.

Isaiah 55:8-9 declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

As Holden learned, sometimes disappointment, as annoying or disheartening as it may be, can be God's protective hand guiding us away from trouble.

If you're like me, you might wonder, What about the people who boarded the Titanic and perished? Where was God's protection then? What I have come to understand is that we can't answer certain questions on this side of heaven. I also find great comfort in knowing that death on earth is not the end; rather, it is a doorway for believers to a greater, grander life and a time to experience God's goodness.

With that said, I choose to process my difficulties and seasons of despair through the lens of faith, trusting that God has a divine plan even for my disappointments.