Weathering disappointment
SHELLY-ANN Fraser-Pryce in a post on the day of the Olympic 100-meter semi-final struggled to find the words to describe her disappointment at having to drop out of what would have been the final Olympics race in her illustrious career. Jamaicans, the world over, struggled with the shocking disappointment as well. All of us were rooting for her to beautifully cap her inspirational career with a medal (of any colour) in the 100-meter race. But alas, it did not happen. And so together we endure the sting of disappointment for our ‘Mommy Rocket’ and for our country.
The unwanted sting, however, brings into sharp focus the question of how to weather disappointment and come out on the other side better, rather than bitter.
What type of disappointment might you be facing in your own life right now? Is it job related? Did you fail to secure a promotion or a new job? Or, has someone broken your trust? Is a treasured relationship over? We all face disappointment at different phases and stages of life.
But if you are a woman of faith, you can take heart and rest in the promises of God knowing that your value isn’t determined by the loss of a thing but by who God has made you to be and His great love for you (John 3 vs 16). Let us reflect on some of His other promises and encouragement to us in His word.
- God is close – Don’t fall into the trap of trying to avoid or deflect from the pain that you are feeling. Feel it. Experience the loss. Lament. But you can feel it knowing that God is close. The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. What you are feeling is real – Psalm 34:18.
- Working for good – If you are a woman of faith who loves the Lord, you can take refuge in Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. It may not feel that way now, but you can trust in the God who knows the end from the beginning and has you right here in the middle.
- Wait on the Lord – Isaiah 40:29-31 tells us that, He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Waiting on the Lord means depending on God and looking to Him to act.
- God will restore you – 1 Peter 5:10 is a powerful passage to meditate on as we weather disappointment. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
- Finally, put your hope in God and praise God – it may be counter intuitive to praise God at this time but we can put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3) Moreover in Psalm 42:11 David after doing a bit of self-talk concluded that he must put his hope in God: Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
In addition to reflecting on God’s promises and spending time in prayer, it is also good to spend time in family and community with people who love you. This creates a safe space for healing, honest reflection and clarity for your next steps. Woman & Faith wishes Mommy Rocket all the very best as she comes to terms with what happened and her next steps.
Shelly-Ann Mair-Harris is a women’s rights advocate, corporate professional, communication strategist, woman of faith and author of several titles including The Goodies on her Tray and God’s Woman.
