Bounce Back
WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ
“Jesus understands the deep anxiety of our hearts. He understands the lengths we will go to feel secure and the crushing pressure that we are all under at times in our lives.”
Taking the Disappointment Bull by the Horns
Metaphors are great for illustrating things that we would normally have a difficult time conveying. They are also extremely practical for communication. Take doors, for instance. We will often hear that God opens and closes doors in our lives. True enough, but what happens when the door is not only closed, but double and triple-bolted? What happens when each door we attempt to open is slammed in our face? How do we respond to this without becoming hopeless and discouraged?
Here is some helpful Biblical wisdom to recall when we feel like we have hit rock bottom:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28
There is nothing that induces anxiety and restlessness like failure and disappointment. Jesus understands the deep anxiety of our hearts. He understands the lengths we will go to feel secure and the crushing pressure that we are all under at times in our lives. Jesus tells us that when we are face down on the ground, he will pick us up and carry us. He tells us to take his yoke upon us, so that the burdens we are carrying can be carried by him.
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. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11
This short excerpt from Peter gives us hope in the realization of disappointment. He assures us that our life will contain suffering, disappointment, and discouragement. However, we should not dread this as God himself will be there to put us back on our feet. That hope that we have lost will be restored to us in Christ.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Psalm 34:17-22
The Psalmist knew the ache of disappointment all too well. Psalm 34 is a deep well from which we can drink when we have been bruised and broken in life’s trials. In it, we are assured that God does not desire for us to be crushed in spirit, but condescends to us that he might be there with us in our pain. Furthermore, God is near to those who are humbled – who see their inability to fix their lives by their own merit or doings. Thus, we can see our disappointment as an opportunity to draw near to God, knowing that he hears us and desires to care for us.
Follow Through
No doubt, we will be faced with many setbacks in our lives. However, we don’t have to embrace a perspective of bitterness when things do not go our way. Instead, use the experience to turn toward God, seeking the counsel of his word and his people to build you back up. As God said to Joshua,
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
