Reading the Bible is an important part of how we can grow in our faith, but we know many people question why the Bible is not relevant for today. With its old language and confusing references, it can feel irrelevant or disconnected. But these Scripture meditations are meant to help us bridge that disconnect and encounter reasons why the Bible is relevant.

 

How to Handle Disappointment

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” (Proverbs 13:12).

When reality doesn’t live up to our expectations, disappointment and hurt can consume us and grow into deep-seated bitterness.

How much would it change our hearts and minds if we put our hope in God, rather than in the things we hope he’ll do for us? And what does it look like to make this change?

It’s not wrong to tell God how we feel or to ask him for what we want; he welcomes this kind of honesty. But we should ask ourselves: Is God more important to me than the things I want from him? Romans 5 tells us, we won’t be put to shame when our hope remains in the right place; believing that God and his glory are enough, no matter what trials or disappointments we might face. 

Romans 5:2b-5

“2 And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Observations from the Text

• The glory of God is our ultimate hope (v. 2b)
• In the midst of suffering, perseverance grows (v. 4)
• Disappointment isn’t permanent when our hope is in God (v. 5)

Prayers of Response

O Great God, even though I’m worried about _______, my hope is in you.

Lord who listens, you’re worthy of all of my hopes and dreams.

Prayer Requests

Generous Father, when my heart despairs over deferred hopes, help me to redirect my gaze to your glory and to what you’re doing in my life while I wait.

God who works, develop perseverance, character, and hope in my heart while I’m waiting for ________.

Prayers of Readiness

Heavenly Father, may my waiting bring you glory. 

Loving God, I praise you for your steadfast love; my hope in you will see me through _________.

 

Connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life through other Scripture meditations like this one. Check out this page for more! 

 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™