Finding Hope in Disappointment: Lessons from Joseph
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter moments of deep disappointment and unfulfilled dreams. These experiences can leave us feeling broken and questioning our path. Today, I want to reflect on how we can navigate these challenging times by looking at the story of Joseph, also known as Barabas or Justice, from the book of Acts. Joseph was almost chosen as an apostle, but the lot fell to another. Imagine the disappointment he must have felt, being so close to a significant role in the early church, yet not chosen. This story reminds us that even in our disappointments, God has a purpose for us.
Throughout history, many have faced similar disappointments. Ignatius of Loyola found his calling after a humiliating defeat and physical disfigurement. Frank Lick, who lost a presidential election by his own vote, discovered a deeper relationship with God through his loss. These stories teach us that our setbacks can be the very ground from which God grows something new and beautiful in our lives.
In our own lives, we must learn to express our laments and not cover our pain with superficial positivity. Jesus himself cried out in abandonment on the cross, quoting scripture as an expression of trust and faithfulness. This act shows us that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope in God's word.
Despair is a temptation we all face, but it is not the absence of hope. It is the belief that our actions do not matter. We must remember that we cannot see clearly to the end, and therefore, we cannot give in to despair. Instead, we cling to the hope of the scriptures and trust that God is working in ways we cannot predict or control.
As we plant seeds of hope in our words, thoughts, and actions, we trust that God will make them blossom in His time. We embrace the pain and confusion of life, knowing that we do not see the full picture. Yet, we hold onto the hope of the man on the cross, trusting that God will make this day count.
Key Takeaways:
1. Disappointment is a universal experience, but it can be the soil from which God grows new opportunities. Joseph, almost chosen as an apostle, teaches us that our worth is not diminished by not being chosen. We must trust that God has a purpose for us beyond our immediate understanding. [02:57]
2. Historical figures like Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Lick show us that deep disappointment can lead to profound spiritual growth. Their stories remind us that God can use our setbacks to redirect us toward His greater plan for our lives. [04:52]
3. Expressing lament is crucial in our spiritual journey. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross teaches us that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and trust in God's word. We must resist the urge to cover our pain with superficial positivity. [07:33]
4. Despair is not simply the absence of hope; it is the belief that our actions do not matter. We must remember that we cannot see the end clearly, and therefore, we cannot give in to despair. Instead, we cling to the hope of the scriptures. [09:36]
5. Planting seeds of hope in our daily lives is an act of faith. We trust that God will make them blossom in His time, even when we do not see the full picture. We embrace the pain and confusion of life, holding onto the hope of the man on the cross. [10:45]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:50] - Series Conclusion and Future Plans
- [01:04] - Community and Prayer Requests
- [01:32] - Recurring Disappointments
- [01:47] - The Story of Joseph, Barabas, and Justice
- [02:29] - The Significance of Being Chosen
- [03:14] - Bearing Rejection with Grace
- [03:57] - Historical Examples of Disappointment
- [04:41] - Frank Lick's Story
- [05:19] - Jesus' Cry of Abandonment
- [06:03] - The Importance of Lament
- [07:06] - The Danger of Superficial Positivity
- [08:08] - Hope vs. Despair
- [09:22] - The Temptation of Despair
- [10:08] - Perseverance and Planting Seeds of Hope
- [11:40] - Closing and Resources
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 1:23-26 - The selection of Matthias as an apostle over Joseph, also known as Barabas or Justice.
2. Psalm 22:1 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" - Quoted by Jesus on the cross.
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the process used by the disciples to choose between Joseph and Matthias as the new apostle? How might Joseph have felt about this method? [02:57]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Joseph, also known as Barabas or Justice, not being chosen as an apostle? [03:14]
3. What examples from history were given in the sermon to illustrate how disappointment can lead to spiritual growth? [04:52]
4. How does the sermon explain Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross, and what does it teach us about expressing lament? [07:33]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might Joseph's experience of not being chosen as an apostle relate to the idea that our worth is not diminished by not being chosen? [02:57]
2. In what ways do the stories of Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Lick illustrate the concept that God can use our setbacks for a greater purpose? [04:52]
3. How does Jesus' expression of abandonment on the cross serve as an example for us in dealing with our own moments of despair and disappointment? [07:33]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between despair and the absence of hope, and how does this relate to our understanding of God's purpose in our lives? [09:36]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant disappointment. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of Joseph's story? [02:57]
2. Consider a setback you are currently experiencing. How can you look for signs of God's greater plan in this situation, similar to Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Lick? [04:52]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of lament into your spiritual life, especially when facing difficult times? What might this look like practically? [07:33]
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel tempted to despair. How can you shift your perspective to focus on the hope found in scripture? [09:36]
5. What are some "seeds of hope" you can plant in your daily life, and how can you nurture them with faith that God will make them blossom in His time? [10:45]
6. How can you support others in your community who are experiencing disappointment or despair, and what role does expressing lament play in this support? [06:34]
7. Reflect on the idea that we cannot see clearly to the end. How does this influence your approach to challenges and uncertainties in your life? [09:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Disappointment as a Catalyst for Growth
In life, disappointment is inevitable, but it can serve as fertile ground for new opportunities. Joseph, also known as Barabas or Justice, experienced this when he was almost chosen as an apostle, yet the lot fell to another. Despite this setback, his story teaches us that our worth is not diminished by not being chosen. Instead, we are reminded to trust that God has a purpose for us beyond our immediate understanding. This perspective encourages us to view our disappointments not as dead ends but as opportunities for God to work in our lives in unexpected ways. [02:57]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment you faced. How can you reframe it as an opportunity for God to work in your life?
Day 2: Spiritual Growth Through Setbacks
Throughout history, many have faced deep disappointments that led to profound spiritual growth. Ignatius of Loyola found his calling after a humiliating defeat and physical disfigurement, while Frank Lick discovered a deeper relationship with God through losing a presidential election by his own vote. These stories remind us that God can use our setbacks to redirect us toward His greater plan for our lives. When we encounter setbacks, we are invited to trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see the full picture. [04:52]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: Recall a time when a setback led to unexpected growth in your life. How can you apply this lesson to a current challenge?
Day 3: The Power of Lament
Expressing lament is a crucial part of our spiritual journey. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross teaches us that even in our darkest moments, we can find hope and trust in God's word. We must resist the urge to cover our pain with superficial positivity and instead allow ourselves to express our true feelings. By doing so, we open ourselves to the healing and transformative power of God, who meets us in our vulnerability and pain. [07:33]
Psalm 42:11 (ESV): "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to express lament? How can you bring this before God in prayer today?
Day 4: Resisting Despair
Despair is not simply the absence of hope; it is the belief that our actions do not matter. We must remember that we cannot see the end clearly, and therefore, we cannot give in to despair. Instead, we cling to the hope of the scriptures, trusting that God is working in ways we cannot predict or control. By holding onto this hope, we affirm the significance of our actions and the belief that God is actively involved in our lives. [09:36]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: Identify a situation where you feel your actions don't matter. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and purpose in this situation?
Day 5: Planting Seeds of Hope
Planting seeds of hope in our daily lives is an act of faith. We trust that God will make them blossom in His time, even when we do not see the full picture. Embracing the pain and confusion of life, we hold onto the hope of the man on the cross, trusting that God will make this day count. By intentionally planting seeds of hope through our words, thoughts, and actions, we participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [10:45]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: What is one small act of hope you can plant today? How can you trust God to nurture it in His time?
Quotes
"I have been very struck very moved by the prayer requests that come in there's just something I don't understand it fully about the little community that God is forming amongst us mostly online as we connect with each other that often it's in places of pain and places of Brokenness places where we or the people that we care about find lives not going the way that we thought that they would." [00:57:36]
"Imagine being him I was almost an apostle missed it by that much and the way that they decided wasn't to check references or give us a apostle aptitude test it was to draw lots for crying out loud I wonder how great his disappointment must have been and yet it was to be a follower of the crucified Christ." [00:03:05]
"We're learning in this master class from masters of the spiritual life and we've seen how Ignatius of lyola found his calling to follow Jesus and have an enormous impact on the world out of deep disappointment out of both uh uh humiliating loss on the battlefield and then physical disfigurement disappointment in what he thought he was was going to be and out of that came the discovery that God had another call on his life." [00:04:07]
"Among other disappointments he had desperately wanted to become the president of an educational institution and he lost by one vote and ironically he was one of the people that voted and out of politeness he voted for the other candidate and his own vote was the vote by which he lost and yet he ended up finding God through that and through other deeper losses." [00:04:44]
"We all experience deep disappointment and a deep sense of confusion and the ultimate expression of this is when Jesus is on the cross and he cries out my God my God why have you forsaken me he enters into God forsakenness when we were in that service there was a woman in a wheelchair I think maybe she had suffered uh some kind of a traumatic brain injury." [00:05:19]
"The need uh for people within the church to be able to express lament which is what Jesus was doing we are so often chirpy and sacran and when that gets when human pain and disappointment gets treated in superficial ways it creates even more pain think about another friend who is a brilliant academician and facing very serious health issues and has young children." [00:06:30]
"Despair is not simply saying that the outcome I wanted will not happen it's saying that the actions that I take do not matter so I don't have to carry on with my duty I can give into whatever impulse or the desire to quit that I want to and one of the characters in that book Gandalf says despair is only for those who can see clearly through to the end and we cannot see clearly through to the end." [00:09:02]
"Therefore we cannot despair therefore we cling to the hope of the scriptures even though what it is that I most hope will happen in the lives of those that I love most dearly appears quite Bleak to me I enter into a sense of Abandonment God forsakenness that must be cried out my God my God why have you forsaken me but uh I cannot see clearly through to the end." [00:09:39]
"People who are wise spiritually persevere not only out of Pride integrity and commitment to their values they persevere because they are all at once trusting optimistic foolish and humble enough to Hope and expect that this seeds of their efforts will blossom in times ways and places that they can neither predict nor control so plant the seeds today and water them and nurture them in your words and your thoughts and your actions." [00:10:08]
"We embrace all of the pain and confusion and mystery and unknowing of life we look at our world and we are not sacran and we are not chirpy and we are not triumphalis and we do not pretend to understand or believe more than we do but we do not yet see clearly all the way to the end therefore we do not despair we cling to the hope of the man on the cross." [00:11:00]
"Allow God trust that God will make this day count as you plant the seed hey if you enjoyed that video be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes from John orberg or become new you can also head to our website becom new.com where we have a bunch more resources you might be interested in like free downloads books and a library of videos for you to explore learning how to grow spiritually one day at a time." [00:11:32]
"If you've got a prayer request you can text it to us at 855 888 0444 and you'll receive a written response from someone on our team who will pray for you you can also text the word become to that same number to receive text alerts whenever we drop a new video glad that you're here and we'll catch you next time." [00:12:01]
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