Photo Credit – Bruce R. Cross

Words to a writer are like paint is to an artist, waiting to be applied to an invisible yet real canvas tucked away in the world of ideas and thoughts.

At times the words flow freely like water cascading from a waterfall, making their way downstream and reaching their intended destination – hopefully influencing the hearts and minds of those who read them.

Sometimes the word flow hits a brick wall, stuck in the moment and going nowhere, spinning its wheels in a cerebral mud puddle.

Lastly, there are times when an isolated word or two may come and the car is parked intentionally, pulled over to the side of the road, and allowing time to pass as to contemplate its deeper meaning.

My car has been pulled over to the side of the road on one word lately – disappointment.

Disappointment has recently attempted to gain access in my life through the back door, the front door, and any open window it can find.

Much of the would be disappointment has its roots in the fact that for this season of my life, the cycling I long to do in the summer has been reduced to zero due to a mid-winter injury which has lingered.

I refuse to let disappointment get the better of me and I have thrown a few punches at it by expressing gratefulness for a number of things and exhibiting patience during this temporary hiatus.

As a side note, I am turning some corners and am aiming to get back on the road soon.

Disappointment is a word from which all of us have sipped from its cup at one time or another.

For some, disappointment is an ongoing trickle.

For others disappointment stops by to visit every now and then, says “hello”, and subsequently leaves only to return on its next trip to town.

The dictionary definition of the word, disappointment, is in fact disappointing.

• The act or fact of disappointing.
• The state or feeling of being disappointed.
• A person or thing that disappoints.

I don’t know about you, but the formal “definition” does not cut it!

It lacks character.

I cannot relate.

Real life needs to be added to the recipe to give it context and texture.

• When you were a kid did you ever get an ice cream cone only to have the cold, tasty, sugary sphere fall off the cone and onto the ground? Disappointment!
• Your team lost the game in the final inning when you dropped the ball which would have been the final out. Disappointment! Correction, HUGE Disappointment!
• What about the time you went to the prom with Mr. Right or Miss Congeniality only to experience the evening turn out to be a flat tire? Social Disappointment!

We as adults are not immune to regular injections of disappointment. They come in all shapes and sizes.

• You work hard, apply yourself, and sacrifice only to see another promoted at your workplace ahead of you – How I earn a living Disappointment!
• A strained marriage or a divorce you never envisioned occurs-mind numbing Disappointment!
• You are fired from your job; words cannot begin to describe how you feel – somewhat Earth shattering Disappointment!
• There seems to be more month left at the end of the money, month in and month out – Ouch in the wallet Disappointment!
• A boss shells you out or a co-worker tosses you under the bus for no apparent reason – angry and humiliated Disappointment!
• Your son or daughter steers down a path which takes them far off the course, leading only to heartache – bigger than life Disappointment!
• Your workplace is losing business, a dark cloud is on the horizon, people are let go, and you feel gut wrenching Disappointment and you can’t help but wonder if you might be next.
• Lastly, you might be disappointed who you are or the person you have become. You ask yourself the question, “Am I enough?” –  Kick me when I am down Disappointment! 
• If any of this describes what you might be experiencing, perhaps this interview might help.

I do not believe we can avoid disappointment.

It is part of the human experience, it visits all of us, and there is no vaccine to prevent it.

Like anything else, it’s what we do with disappointment which matters.

Do we hold onto it like a child hugs his or her Teddy bear, making it our best friend, and always present at our side?

or

Do we acknowledge the reality of its presence, see it for what it is, and then turn away from its grasp empowering ourselves to overcome its hold on us?

Sign me up for the latter option. I hope you choose the same.

Accept it or not, we are all living out our stories. You might not think so, but you are.

Mixed in the screenplay called “our lives” is dose after dose of, you guessed it, disappointment.

I recently read a post by Jeff Goins which really hits the nail on the head.

In particular, his reference to a dialogue which occurred between Sam and Frodo in a scene from The Lord of the Rings paints the picture well.

You can read the entire post here to appreciate the full context.

Disappointment does not need to have a “death grip” on you as refuted by this excerpt from his post:

“But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.”

• It’s a passing thing, a shadow.
• A new day will come.
• Brighter horizons will occur.
• A good word for sure!

What we need when disappointment rings our doorbell is hope. This hope can come in many ways:

• A warm hug received.
• Someone to care for our heart.
• A listening ear.
• A timely word offered.
• When all else fails – a piece of dark chocolate! Only kidding! Maybe not!

For me the Bible is so practical.

Check this out as it speaks to disappointment.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. AND THIS HOPE WILL NOT LEAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5 (New Living Translation)

He has our backs – then, now, and always!

My wife had a former neighbor who acted as her mentor.  Aunt Bea always said,  “disappointment brings appointment”.

Rough translation – disappointment is a stepping stone to something greater than the disappointment itself.

Disappointment may visit, but it cannot stay.

When we take action in the midst of disappointment we move from victim to victor; we have a say in the outcome.

Can you think of a time you were disappointed and what you chose to do to overcome it?

Please accept this invitation to share your thoughts – you might be offering help to those of us who may be experiencing a dose of disappointment today and need a shot of hope!