Disappointments

The Soccer World Cup is over and, as expected, produced many exciting moments, highlights and opportunities. I, for one, enjoyed learning more about the game of soccer than I have ever known. It was great to attend a game to be caught up in the hype and excitement!

There was one moment of major disappointment for me, though. I almost had difficulty going to sleep after Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty in the dying moments of the quarter final against Uruguay, leading to them losing an opportunity to go through to the semi final. Now, if that’s how I felt, just image Gyan’s disappointment! And that of the Dutchman, Robben, after missing a one-on-one in the final. Eina!!

How does one deal with disappointments of such a magnitude – or any other disappointment for that matter? And how do we deal with it from a Christian perspective? I believe the disappointment that the prophet Samuel experienced with the sin and rejection of King Saul provides us with some guidelines to follow (you can read the story in 1 Samuel 2-15). Here are some pointers that helped me overcome some disappointments in my life: 

• Acknowledge the disappointment. No use denying that it happened – simply tell yourself, someone else and even God about the way you feel. I think it’s what Samuel did (1 Sam 15:10-11).
• Sort out what can be sorted out, such as asking forgiveness, repenting of sin and seeking reconciliation with others wherever possible.
• Leave the past behind and move on. Samuel needed to learn to take his focus off Saul and to follow God’s new direction for Israel (1 Sam 16:1)
• Trust God to lead you forward, perhaps in a new and fresh way. For Samuel it meant the (unexpected) appointment of the young David as the next king (1 Sam 16:12-13).