"Lord Willing": How to Face Disappointment

Disappointing and discouraging. These two words can be used to describe this year, 2020. Indeed, the year has brought many heartaches with military skirmishes, impeachment, domestic divisions, and a deadly virus. Yet all the while, Christians are commanded to keep pressing on, remaining obedient and joyful. You may be wondering how to be joyful and satisfied in such a disappointing time. In this fallible piece, I want you to see, dear reader, in a straightforward manner, how you can keep from despondency in such a time as this.

1. Admit that you are not God.

First, admit that you are not the Creator; therefore, you are not sovereign. In 21st century America, control over one's life is upheld as virtuous. Indeed, characteristics such as integrity, responsibility, and punctuality are biblical and have their benefits. However, it has become prevalent to believe in this capitalist and egoistic society that if you work enough, think enough, or feel enough, you can achieve any goals you set yourself towards: The Great American Dream.

All the while, we forget that our lives rest in the One who controls nature, time, and death. As mere humans, we cannot control the hurricanes, fires, or tornadoes that destroy our homes or ravage our property. Time bears away relationships, economies, and entire nations. Death comes knocking on the door of every person, showing partiality to neither the young nor the old. We can build and rebuild our kingdoms; but at the end of the day, entire empires have been left in dust and ruins.

Simply humans, we are not sovereign, even over our own lives. The year 2020 has shown us such a reality. With COVID-19, friends were torn from friends as college campuses closed. Senior trips were cancelled as the class of 2020 received their diplomas in the mail or at a drive-up ceremony. Churches have been forced to meet online, in their parking lots, or in multiple services. Time and again, we have been reminded that we cannot always control everything around us or even our own lives. When disappointment and discouragement arise, we must be honest with the truth that we are not God.

2. Concede to the Lord's will

As we admit that we are not in control, we must also concede to the the Lord's will (His divine desires and choices) which presides over all of our lives. Throughout Scripture, we observe people who made plans for their lives and discovered that the Lord willed differently. Abraham and Sarah planned for Hagar, their servant, to bear the promised son, but the Lord chose Sarah to be that woman. Moses planned to live in exile from Egypt and his people, yet the Lord willed, and called out from the burning bush, for Moses to lead Israel out of captivity. David planned to build the temple but God chose Solomon to do so. Peter and Andrew planned to fish their entire lives, but Jesus had willed for them to be his disciples. Judges, prophets, kings, priests, and Pharisees all planned their ways, but the Lord directed their steps (Prov. 16:9).

We all have plans: to graduate, to have families, to be successful in business or ministry or music. But even though we plan, we must admit those plans are always contingent. Please, do not get me wrong. It is not wrong to plan. In fact, Proverbs praises those who consider the future and calculates the consts. Christ himself said to count up the cost of following him, planning for future difficulties as a Christian. But what the Bible warns against is planning that leaves God out and fails to consider Him.

When we leave God out, two things can happen. On one hand, when we get what we planned for, we are prone to become prideful and self-absorbed. We begin to believe that we achieved something solely because of our intellect or success. But we forget God's grace in getting us to that place --in giving us our parents, specific opportunities, or even our intelligence. On the other hand, if we do not get what we planned for, we are prone to self-pity as we compare ourselves to others. Meanwhile, we begin indicting God for not giving us what we think we deserve. When sickness, trials, or death faces us, despondency takes over.

But when our plans welcome God and are over come by a sense of His sovereignty, we become satisfied. We learn to say "if the Lord wills" (Jas. 4:15). We also believe His goodness, trusting that whatever comes into our lives is for our good as children as God (Rom. 8:28). Death is less feared. Life and relationships are more enjoyed. Our grip on our possessions loosen as we begin to realize that they are not ultimately ours.

Conclusion

As we face the disappointments this year, as well as life, brings, we can remain joyful by admitting that we are not the Creator and by conceding to God's will. We then relieve ourselves of such an enormous burden in trying to be the Lord of all creation, a role which we as humans can never bear. Instead, we learn to trust in God, finding satisfaction in Him and saying, "Lord willing." For it is God who works through both the sunshine and the rain to bring blessings to His children.