I will never ask if you have been disappointed; that question would be ridiculous. Disappointments are as inevitable as breathing. They come with living. And I understand that, although they can be life-changing, they do not have to destroy you.

Like me, you can yell from the mountaintop that you have had your share of disappointments. We can agree that the most hurtful comes from those closest to you. Let’s be honest; we expect more from those who know our struggles. Those who we feel know our most intimate and most challenging life experiences. So, when they hurt us, it cuts deep. It takes a long time to heal and bounce back. We also ask ourselves, “why” as we question the occurrence. Wondering not only “why” but “what” did we miss?

Well, you missed nothing, and you missed everything. You missed nothing because you trusted your friends. They were your closet and dearest. You missed everything because there were probably hints that you chose to ignore. And why wouldn’t you? They are your friends, of course.

Do you remember a man that many of us admire and follow? He was humble, gentle, kind, and loving. He shared His innermost thoughts with His closest circle, those He could trust. Yet, even after they walked with Him daily, slept beside Him each night, ate with Him, cried with Him, laughed with Him, and ministered beside Him, not one but all of His closest confidantes betrayed, denied, and abandoned Him. You know as well as I that this person was Jesus, a figure known for his resilience and forgiveness in the face of disappointment. I wouldn’t say I like comparing myself or anyone to Him. However, we can look to Him as our example.

What did He do when He knew Judas Iscariot was about to betray Him? He said, “Hurry, and go do what you need to do.” This response, while seemingly accepting of the betrayal, was actually a demonstration of Jesus’s grace and forgiveness. When Peter boasted about never leaving Jesus, what did Jesus say? “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter was indignant and argued that it would never happen, yet it did. Matthew 26:21-35
“Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” … Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night.” Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.”

Despite these disappointments, knowing they would happen, Jesus dealt graciously. He even washed their feet! Can I do that? In my younger years, no. Today, I may be able to. What is true to me is that disappointments grow us. They mature us, give us experience, and help us rise higher. There is hope and growth on the other side of disappointment.If you are dealing with disappointment today, know that Jesus dealt with it, too. The Bible tells us that “He was in every way tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:19.

I say, feel hurt, grieve the betrayal, heal, and move on. God has something better waiting for you when you are ready. You are not alone .