Can Christians feel disappointment with God? Is it wrong to experience disappointment with God?
Disappointment with God is a difficult emotion. It causes us to question God's character, His sovereignty, our position in Christ, our commitment to God, our worth, God's love, and any number of other things. When we are disappointed with God – or, more accurately, with what we perceive God to be doing in our lives – we can find ourselves angry, despondent, or simply resigned. We can begin to believe that we lack purpose or that God does not really care for us the way we thought He did. Is it wrong to feel this way?
Emotions are a normal part of human life. Many of us will feel disappointed with God at one point or another. This is not wrong. However, it is also not deserved.
Our disappointment with God points to our own misguided perceptions and expectations. We get disappointed when what we want to happen or what we think should happen does not. But, in reality, we do not know what is in our best interest. We do not always understand the ways of God and His purposes. His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
So, while it is not wrong to feel disappointment with God, it is also not a good emotion to hang on to. When we feel disappointed, we need to remind ourselves of God's great love for us. He has good things planned for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10; John 14:1-3). God has not abandoned us nor His plans for our lives. We must learn to be patient, to trust that He will come through. It is when we are disappointed with God that our faith is most tested. It is then that we choose to believe in His goodness and wait on His faithfulness (Psalm 27:14).
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