When someone fails to meet our expectations or hopes, it’s easy to feel disappointed. With disappointment come feelings of sadness or frustration that we must work through,in order to move forward emotionally, and spiritually. For example, Job’s loss was great, he expected his three friends to support him with compassion and understanding as he endured his painful predicament. But just the opposite happened. What he expected and trusted his friends to do never took place. Instead, the friends disappointed Job by being self-righteous, judging him, and failing to sympathize with him. Finally, when God came on the scene, He spoke the truth, pointing Job and his friends towards; humbling themselves, letting go of the judgment and wrath in their hearts, praying for each other, and forgiving each other. We all experience times of disappointment, and it is necessary for us to work things out, just like Job and his friends. Whether we are disappointed in a friend, spouse, family member, parent, child, coworker, boyfriend, or girlfriend, we must work on choosing to forgive them for disappointing us and then let go of our expectations. This will bring us the freedom to work on our own heart, as we give that person and situation to our loving, wise God to work out. God cares about His children and is present to assist us when we feel disheartened because of disappointment.

“[Such is my disappointment in you, the friends I fully trusted.]The caravans of Tema looked [for water], the companies of Sheba waited for them in vain. They were confounded because they had hoped [to find water]; they came there and were bitterly disappointed. Now to me you are [like a dried up brook]: you see my dismay and terror, and [believing me to be a victim of God’s anger] you are afraid [to sympathize with me]” (Job 6:18b-20).