What you should read in the Bible when you feel disappointed.
When our expectations don’t meet reality, we experience disappointment. Every soul on this Earth has come face to face with it at some point or another. Even God didn’t spare Himself from it.
We all have assumptions about what life should be and what it should look like. We make plans and aspirations with no guarantee that things will work out, but we hope and we dream.
However, it hurts us to our core when we feel like we’ve done everything right. We’ve worked so hard to cross every “t” and dot every “i” only to be met with what seems like failure.
Disappointment can be dangerous if looked at the wrong way. A disappointed person can be prone to bitterness and hopelessness leading them to want to give up on it all.
Yet, if we look at our disappointments the way God does, we may find beauty in them. This may not be what your disappointed and broken heart wants to hear right now, but it’s the truth.
Disappointments can be God rerouting you to something better because sometimes we truly don’t dream big enough. On the other hand, disappointments can be God’s protection.
My most recent disappointment involves my business that you’re currently partaking in by reading this article. I worked so hard to build the Doctor Andy Jay Christian Blog and Boutique. However, the results didn’t match my efforts.
The results also didn’t match the vision God had given me when I started this venture. Just a few months ago, I felt lost and experienced hopelessness in this particular area of my life. I wanted to give up and I sort of did for a few months.
But, I knew this was not what God wanted for me. It’s not what He wants for you either in whatever He’s called you to do.
No matter what, we must trust His sovereign hand knowing that He knows best. We must know that he’s working everything out for our good and ultimately the good of His kingdom. Though your heart may ache or you burn with anger right now or both, God has no ill intentions for you.
How do I know? The stories He puts in the Bible tell us so.
Our journeys are not complete so we can’t see the full picture as God does. However, the Bible shows us the lives and stories of those who have completed their earthly journey. We get front-row seats as we look into how God led them through their disappointments and triumphs working all things for their good.
Examples of disappointment in the Bible
There are many examples of disappointments in the Bible. Here are a few that can offer encouragement and comfort for you.
God
We see God’s disappointment when we take a look at the Israelites and their exodus from Egypt.
God had shown them his might and sovereignty by answering their cries for help and allowing them to see the miracles through Moses when he petitioned Pharoah to let them leave.
The Israelites were led of out of Egypt under God’s guidance, fire by night and cloud by day. When they came to the Red Sea, God drove back the waters so the people could cross on dry ground. They saw their enemies drown trying to cross as God closed it protecting them.
Yet the Israelites quickly forgot all of this and found themselves murmuring against and questioning God in the wilderness. They told Moses and thus, God that they had no food and it would’ve been better if they had stayed in Egypt.
That wouldn’t be their only offense against God that brought about God’s disappointment and punishment. Reading through 1 Kings, you can see their descendants making the same mistake as their ancestors worshiping false idols and engaging in practices unpleasant to God. We can even see it in today’s world.
Moses
Not only was God disappointed, but Moses was as well. He watched as the people doubted and disobeyed God, cautioning, interceding, and praying for them.
Naomi
Naomi left Bethlehem with her family after the land was consumed by famine. She settled into her new life in the country of Moab. Tragedy struck when her husband died. However, she was comforted in knowing that she still had family, her sons.
She watched her sons marry Moabite women and all seemed well…for a time. But, they would pass as well and she would be left in a foreign country seemingly alone.
Filled with disappointment and sorrow, she returned home to Bethlehem asking people to no longer call her Naomi which means gentle and pleasant. She asked that people call her Mara, which means bitter.
Though Naomi felt disappointed and abandoned by God, what she didn’t realize was God was still writing her story. She didn’t come back to Bethlehem alone. Her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, chose to leave behind her culture and practices to follow Namoi and thus God.
Through Ruth, God blessed and restored Naomi with joy, peace, security, and a newfound knowledge of God’s unconditional love and provision.
Joseph
Joseph might have been disappointed when God gave him seemingly wild, yet magnificent dreams of him becoming a leader. Unfortunately, his dreams brought further hatred from his brothers when he discussed them with his family.
Because of this, he found himself sold into slavery by his brothers. When it seemed like he had accepted his fate and settled in earning the favor of his master, Potiphar, he was falsely accused of attempted rape. He was thrown in prison.
Those visions must’ve seemed far-fetched at the time as Joseph found himself at his lowest. But, God’s plan would soon be revealed. Joseph became 2nd in command of Egypt saving this family and nations from a great famine.
Sarah
Sarah was another person in the Bible with whom a lesson in disappointment and patience can be learned. She laughed in hopelessness when she was told by messengers of God that she would have a son. However, she was nearly 100 years old and had given up on her dream of bearing a child from her womb decades ago.
When it seemed like God had forgotten or He wasn’t moving fast enough, she did try and take matters into her own hands. Her impatience would have consequences. Nevertheless, God, in his faithfulness, did as He promised and Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her old age.
Inspiring scriptures for the disappointed heart
God wants you to know that life is a journey. There will be ups and downs, hills and valleys. He never promised you a smooth ride, but He did promise you that He’d always be there no matter what.
God saw Moses, Naomi, Joseph, and Sarah through their journeys. He will also see you through yours.
May these scriptures for disappointment inspire and encourage you as God lights your path.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:6-7
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 41:30
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:11
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
5 things God says to do when you feel disappointed
I also wanted to add some tips on what you can do when you’re disappointed based on the scriptures above.
Talk to God aka pray
Pray to God for healing of the broken heart you’ve sustained in your disappointment. Thank God for His guidance and protection.
Then pray for patience and strategy. Make sure your plans align with God’s will. As stated above, we may be sitting and crying in disappointment, when God struck it down to save us from a mistake.
Here’s a personal example. I was heartbroken when I didn’t get a residency interview from a top choice. However, as I sit on my couch typing this blog post, I now know it didn’t matter. I thank God for immediately shutting that door.
I trained close to home and near friends which was excellent for my physical and mental health. This allowed me to excel in getting the training I needed to do the job that I do today.
So I say to you pray and ask God about your next steps. Don’t focus on what could’ve been. Focus your prayers and thoughts on what could be. I promise it’s so much better.
Trust God and His plan
I can’t see past, present and future and neither can you. I’m not smarter than God nor am I more creative than Him. Neither are you. However, sometimes unintentionally, our actions will send that very message to Him.
I used to think that I could bulldoze my way through things. God would shut doors and I would try to find a window. I know–type A problems. Thank God for his protection.
All that we have and all that we are emulates from Him. We are made to accomplish his great works here on Earth. If we try to do things our way and without God, we could get hurt, but we most definitely will fail.
Take a look at the scriptures that provide wisdom below.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Cast down any thoughts that do not agree with the word of God
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
When the enemy sees you disappointed, this is the perfect time for him to try and convince you that God has abandoned you or that He’s the enemy.
This is a lie. Renew your mind with the truth of God’s word.
Remain obedient
Disobedience in the Bible was often meant with harsh consequences. The Israelites took 40 years to complete an 11-day journey. Saul had the kingdom stripped from Him. David, aka the man after God’s heart, was disciplined severely when He was disobedient.
Sarah also learned the hard way about taking things into her own hands when God was “taking too long.”
Obedience is extremely important to God and this is one of the things that He most desires.
But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
Instead of making the same mistakes, relax with God. He’s got you.
Remember God’s sovereignty and faithfulness
Remember how we talked about the Israelites experiencing miracles from God through Moses, watching God drive back a sea, and seeing God’s relentless presence with them as He guided them out of Egypt?
They forgot all of that when they found themselves hungry in the wilderness. But, again we don’t have to make the same mistake.
Always remember God’s goodness. Because if He was good back then, you can bank on the fact that His goodness and mercies will continue. I encourage you to go sit before him with a sheet of paper or your journal and a pen. You can also use the Notes app on your phone.
Write down all the good things that He’s done for you. Whatever comes to mind. Now thank Him for all of those things and trust that this situation will be something that will soon be added to that awesome list.
Final thoughts on bible verses about disappointment
Disappointment is a common part of life. In writing this article, I hope that I’ve inspired you with biblical examples of disappointment, comforted you with bible verses about disappointment, and armed you with the tools you need to overcome it God’s way.
There’s purpose in everything God allows and doesn’t allow. There’s also purpose in His timing and His word. He will get you over the mountain. But, your trust and obedience are required.
Until next time,
-Dr. Jay
If you enjoyed the blog post noting bible verses for disappointment, take a look at some of our related articles below
Bible verses to help when you feel like giving up
Your guide to guarding your heart in Jesus
Also check out our Christian gift store where we have faith-inspired candles that will elevate your quiet time with the lord, your self-care routines, and the decor of your home. More to come soon!
