Finding Hope in Disappointment: Trusting God's Plan
Summary
In life, we often face disappointments when our dreams and expectations don't align with reality. This struggle is a universal human experience, deeply rooted in our desire for significance, as we are made in the image of God. Yet, when our aspirations are thwarted, we must find a way to cope and move forward. Reflecting on the early church, we see this in the story of Joseph, also known as Barsabbas or Justice, who was not chosen as an apostle despite being a strong candidate. His story is a poignant reminder of how we must bear rejection and disappointment with grace, trusting in God's greater plan.
Throughout history, many have found their true calling through disappointment. Ignatius of Loyola, for example, discovered his purpose after a humiliating defeat and physical disfigurement. Similarly, Frank Laubach faced setbacks but ultimately found God in his losses. These stories teach us that God often uses our disappointments to redirect us toward a path we might not have chosen but is ultimately more fulfilling.
In our own lives, we must learn to express our laments honestly, as Jesus did on the cross when he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This expression of abandonment is not a sign of lost faith but an acknowledgment of our human condition. It is crucial to avoid superficial responses to pain and instead embrace the depth of our struggles, trusting that God is present even in our darkest moments.
The distinction between the absence of hope and the presence of despair is vital. Despair suggests that our actions do not matter, leading us to give up. However, as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" reminds us, we cannot see clearly to the end, and therefore, we cannot despair. We must cling to hope, trusting that God will bring about good in ways we cannot predict or control.
Ultimately, we are called to plant seeds of hope and trust in God, nurturing them through our words, thoughts, and actions. By embracing the pain and mystery of life, we align ourselves with the story of the man on the cross, holding onto the hope that God will make each day count.
Key Takeaways:
1. Disappointment is a universal experience, deeply tied to our desire for significance. We must learn to bear rejection with grace, trusting in God's greater plan for our lives. [02:59]
2. Historical figures like Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Laubach found their true calling through disappointment, teaching us that God often uses our setbacks to redirect us toward a more fulfilling path. [04:23]
3. Expressing lament, as Jesus did on the cross, is crucial. It allows us to acknowledge our human condition and trust that God is present even in our darkest moments. [07:28]
4. The distinction between the absence of hope and the presence of despair is vital. Despair leads us to give up, but we must cling to hope, trusting that God will bring about good in ways we cannot predict. [09:32]
5. We are called to plant seeds of hope and trust in God, nurturing them through our words, thoughts, and actions, and embracing the pain and mystery of life. [10:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Coping with Disappointment
[01:00] - Community in Brokenness
[01:39] - The Story of Joseph Barsabbas
[02:45] - Bearing Rejection with Grace
[03:26] - Historical Lessons from Disappointment
[04:33] - Frank Laubach's Story
[05:12] - God in Human Hopelessness
[06:20] - The Need for Lament
[07:28] - Jesus' Cry of Abandonment
[08:04] - Hope vs. Despair
[09:32] - Clinging to Hope
[10:03] - Spiritual Perseverance
[10:37] - Planting Seeds of Hope
[11:24] - Trusting God to Make Each Day Count
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:23-26 - The selection of Matthias over Joseph Barsabbas.
2. Psalm 22:1 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Quoted by Jesus on the cross)
3. Romans 5:3-5 - Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.
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Observation Questions:
1. In Acts 1:23-26, what process did the disciples use to choose between Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias? How might Joseph have felt about this method? [02:45]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Joseph Barsabbas not being chosen as an apostle? What does this tell us about dealing with disappointment? [02:59]
3. What is the significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 on the cross, and how does it relate to expressing lament? [07:28]
4. According to Romans 5:3-5, what are the outcomes of suffering, and how do they relate to hope?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Joseph Barsabbas illustrate the concept of bearing rejection with grace? What can be learned from his experience about trusting in God's plan? [03:41]
2. The sermon mentions historical figures like Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Laubach who found their calling through disappointment. How does their experience reflect the idea that God uses setbacks to redirect us? [04:23]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between the absence of hope and the presence of despair? How does this distinction affect one's faith journey? [09:32]
4. How does the act of lament, as demonstrated by Jesus on the cross, serve as an expression of trust and faithfulness in God? [07:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when your expectations did not align with reality. How did you cope with the disappointment, and what might you do differently now in light of the sermon? [01:26]
2. Consider a current situation where you feel rejected or overlooked. How can you bear this with grace, trusting in God's greater plan for your life? [03:41]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of lament into your spiritual life, especially during times of deep disappointment or confusion? [06:20]
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel tempted to despair. How can you shift your perspective to cling to hope, trusting that God will bring about good in unexpected ways? [09:32]
5. Think of a recent setback or failure. How might God be using this experience to redirect you toward a more fulfilling path? What steps can you take to explore this possibility? [04:59]
6. How can you plant seeds of hope in your daily life, nurturing them through your words, thoughts, and actions? What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate hope? [10:37]
7. Reflect on the idea of spiritual perseverance. How can you remain trusting, optimistic, and humble in the face of life's uncertainties? What practical steps can you take to persevere in your faith journey? [10:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Disappointment with Grace
In life, disappointment is an inevitable experience, often stemming from our deep-seated desire for significance and purpose. When our dreams and expectations clash with reality, it can be challenging to navigate the resulting feelings of rejection and frustration. However, it is essential to approach these moments with grace, trusting in a greater plan that may not be immediately visible. The story of Joseph Barsabbas, who was not chosen as an apostle despite being a strong candidate, serves as a poignant reminder of this truth. His ability to bear rejection gracefully encourages us to trust that our setbacks may be part of a divine plan that leads to a more meaningful path. [02:59]
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment in your life. How can you begin to see it as an opportunity for growth and trust in God's plan today?
Day 2: Finding Purpose Through Setbacks
Throughout history, many individuals have discovered their true calling through the experience of disappointment. Ignatius of Loyola and Frank Laubach are examples of people who faced significant setbacks but ultimately found a more fulfilling path. These stories illustrate that God often uses our disappointments to redirect us toward a purpose we might not have chosen for ourselves. By embracing the lessons learned from these experiences, we can open ourselves to new possibilities and a deeper understanding of our life's purpose. [04:23]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when a setback led you to a new opportunity. How can you remain open to God's redirection in your current circumstances?
Day 3: The Power of Honest Lament
Expressing lament is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey, allowing us to acknowledge our human condition and the depth of our struggles. Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" exemplifies the importance of honest lament. This expression is not a sign of lost faith but rather an acknowledgment of our vulnerability and need for divine presence. By embracing our laments, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us even in our darkest moments. [07:28]
"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!" (Psalm 130:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to express honest lament to God? How can you begin to do so today, trusting in His presence?
Day 4: Clinging to Hope Amidst Despair
The distinction between the absence of hope and the presence of despair is vital in our spiritual journey. Despair can lead us to believe that our actions do not matter, causing us to give up. However, hope encourages us to trust that God will bring about good in ways we cannot predict or control. As Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" reminds us, we cannot see clearly to the end, and therefore, we cannot despair. By clinging to hope, we can navigate life's uncertainties with faith and perseverance. [09:32]
"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." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a situation where you feel tempted to despair. How can you choose to cling to hope and trust in God's goodness today?
Day 5: Planting Seeds of Hope
We are called to plant seeds of hope and trust in God, nurturing them through our words, thoughts, and actions. By embracing the pain and mystery of life, we align ourselves with the story of the man on the cross, holding onto the hope that God will make each day count. This process involves actively cultivating hope in our daily lives, even when circumstances seem bleak. By doing so, we participate in God's redemptive work and contribute to a future filled with promise and possibility. [10:37]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can plant a seed of hope in your life or the life of someone else today? How can you nurture this seed through your actions and words?
Quotes
In life, when you have dreams or thoughts about what you would like to do or who you would like to be or how you think things were going to work out that they are not, what do you do next? We're looking together at the fact that we are made to count, that we are designed to have an impact. [00:00:26]
I was thinking about a character in the Bible that I had never really noticed before. This is in the very beginning of the book of Acts when the disciples are gathered together, and of course, the crucifixion is the great disappointment, which then becomes the great opportunity for hope. [00:01:39]
They prayed about it and they decided they would select between two different people, and one of them they say was Joseph who was also known as Barsabbas, who was also called Justice, and then the other one was Matthias. Now the first one is kind of striking because he gets three names. [00:02:11]
He had to bear rejection, not being chosen with grace. In some ways, in the early church, he would have been the first person to be deeply disappointed in his dreams, and that's something that occurs to every human being. I was thinking about in The Beatles there was a drummer, I think his name was Pete Best. [00:03:34]
Ignatius of Loyola found his calling to follow Jesus and have an enormous impact on the world out of deep disappointment, out of both humiliating loss on the battlefield and then physical disfigurement, disappointment in what he thought he was going to be, and out of that came the discovery that God had another call on his life. [00:04:06]
Frank Laubach 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. [00:04:36]
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. [00:05:15]
The need for people within the church to be able to express lament, which is what Jesus was doing. We are so often chirping and saccharine, and when human pain and disappointment gets treated in superficial ways, it creates even more pain. [00:06:23]
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 in to whatever impulse or the desire to quit that I want to. [00:09:06]
Gandalf says despair is only for those who can see clearly through to the end, and we cannot see clearly through to the end, therefore we cannot despair. Therefore, we cling to the hope of the scriptures even though what it is that I most hope will happen appears quite bleak to me. [00:09:21]
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 the seeds of their efforts will blossom in times, ways, and places that they can neither predict nor control. [00:10:03]
We embrace all of the pain and confusion and mystery and unknowing of life. We look at our world and we are not saccharine, and we're not chirping, and we are not triumphalistic, 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. [00:10:56]
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