Dancing on Disappointment

One two step, splash…ah there it is; disappointment. Just when you finally think that you’ve got your steps down, you step right into a puddle of disappointment.

Well that sucks, you didn't want it, and I’m pretty positive you didn’t ask for it right? Me too, sister, I feel ya on that one. No one likes to be disappointed, or let down. And when it happens we find ourselves going through a mix of emotions, and more than likely doing some self reflection. Are we too in our emotions? Did we totally overthink this, or blow things out of proportion? How could this have been handled differently? Or maybe we didn’t get the apology we were expecting, and let’s be honest it’s happened before. That’s where we have a choice at a crossroads, do we sink into that puddle of disappointment, or do we learn how to dance on that disappointment? Ok ok ok, I get it, “easier said than done, Ariana,” “I deserve an apology.” Yea, maybe you do, but what happens if you don’t get one? In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it says "Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God's perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus."

Hear me out, am I saying that this will be easy? Honestly, probably not. But we have a life manual, aka the Bible...I've heard it's the book for me and it's the book for you too! How about that. I read above where it says to always be giving thanks, and my initial reaction is a scoff. How on earth can we ALWAYS be giving thanks? Especially in the midst of hurt, heartache, loss, pain, disappointment. Not only did you step into a puddle, but now it's starting to rain, greaaaaat just what you didn't need. James 1:12 says, "If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life's difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!" Here's another one for ya, Romans 5:3-5 "Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

I read these things and realize that disappointment is really an opportunity to look it square in the eye and start JUMPING in the puddles that were stepped in. I picture a scene from one of my favorite movies, Singing in the Rain, our lead man, Gene Kelly gets caught in the rain. And instead of letting it ruin the moment, he gives his umbrella away to someone in need and begins to sing and dance in the rain without a care in the world. It's always been a favorite of mine because it reminds me that rain is inevitable, as is disappointment. And we have a choice, a choice to let it ruin our parade, or find joy in all of it and choose to dance along the waves of disappointment. Jesus never promised us a life without disappointment, pain, trials, or tribulation. But what He did promise us is that He would remain close, that He would send us the Holy Spirit as an advocate and helper in times of trouble. We may not always get the end result that we think we should get or deserve. We may not always get the apology or resolve that we expect or want. The question is, can you move forward from that? Or will you let it consume you? Is it really worth it to let all those negative emotions sit and simmer in your heart, remember, emotions can be deceiving. Don't let deceit counteract the joy that Jesus wants you to find in all things.

I am guilty of all these things, not apologizing when I know I should, stewing in my own emotions, holding a grudge, not thinking before I speak, and letting disappointment practically drown me. Thankfully, I have learned over the years, and with Godly counsel, nuggets of wisdom, and most importantly, the leading of the Holy Spirit, I've learned how to let my feet dance upon disappointment. Has it been easy, nooooo way sister! But it's built my character, patience, endurance, hope, and trust; all things spoken of above in Romans. I'm thankful for the waves, the ones that have capsized me, the ones that have knocked me flat on my behind, the ones that I've been able to jump over, and eventually learned to dance on with confidence, that eventually the tamer of the tides will break through, and the sun will come to dry away the rain. And disappointment will turn into joy.