Posted by Rodetta Cook

Rodetta Cook has been a pastor’s wife for over 40 years. She and her husband, Ron, have actively served the Lord together in ministry during the entire time and are co-founders of Care for Pastors. She understands the expectations, loneliness and how hard it is to find balance in ministry as a pastor’s wife. Rodetta also leads the pastor’s wives initiative at Care for Pastors called The Confidante and ministers to hundreds of wives each week. She strives to share blogs with other pastors’ wives that will help them in their ministry walk.

Posted by Rodetta Cook

Topics: For Pastors' Wives · Spiritual Walk

Walking Through Disappointments

Monday, January 04, 2021

We don’t have to be in ministry long to experience disappointment. As a matter of fact, we don’t have to be alive long to experience disappointment. That is just part of life.

Everyone has certainly experienced disappointments last year in 2020! How have we dealt with all the disappointments? Have we become angry or can we celebrate them?

I would like to share a devotion out of the Our Daily Bread devotional Great is They Faithfulness that is a great encouragement on handling disappointments.

After receiving his second Academy Award, Denzel Washington said to his family, “I told you, if I lost tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate. And if I won tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate.” Denzel, a Christian, was trusting God, whether in blessing or in disappointment.

A Christian couple I know were inspired to follow Denzel’s example. The woman was applying for a dream job that had just opened up where she worked. The interview went well, but she knew she might not get the position. Her husband suggested, “Let’s make reservations at our favorite restaurant this Friday to celebrate–no matter what the outcome.”

Soon the news came that someone else was offered the job. But that Friday the disappointed couple still celebrated. While eating a delicious meal, they were able to count their blessings and renew their faith in the God who holds tomorrow’s opportunities in His hand.

When the psalmist counted his blessings, he was lifted out of his despair and praised God, saying, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.” (Psalm 30:11)

Are you facing a situation in which you could be disappointed? Why not plan a celebration to count your blessings no matter what the outcome?

Thank God in your disappointment,

Celebrate His grace and love;

Know that He will never leave you

And will bless you from above.

The pain of disappointment is soothed by a heart of gratitude.

I believe we can experience the “Joy of the Lord” when we choose to celebrate no matter the outcome. He knows what is best and even though we may be disappointed we can celebrate His plan! Turn the disappointments into His appointments.

We are here to walk with you through those disappointments.