Have you ever faced a great disappointment? A seemingly unanswered prayer? Trials, trouble or suffering?
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t. In fact, Jesus was upfront about this certainty, telling us,“In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). As did the great apostle Paul (Rom. 5:3-5). And James as well (James 1:2-4).
Since we’re assured we will indeed face life’s disappointments, the question then becomes, “How should we respond?”
Paul and James said to “rejoice.”
Why? Because God is at work. He’s doing something significant in our spiritual development and maturity in Christ.
And a big part of the disappointment may just be him moving us to a different place. A new calling on our lives. A renewed plan and purpose. One where, if the disappointment had never occurred, we’d have never been redirected to God’s plan for us.
It’s why we can rejoice in our tribulations.
Because that feeling of disappointment is most assuredly God’s appointment.
For something new. And better.