10 Powerful Scriptures on Disappointment

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I had just graduated from college and had my shiny new Business Degree under my belt.  I was ready to get my first real job. 

I had been working from the time I was about 13.  Babysitting, mowing lawns, then working in the laundry room at a nursing home, and summer camp.  I worked all through high school and college and was a diligent worker with great references.

My girlfriend worked at an educational software company in town and she was about to have a baby.  She was going to stay home with the baby, which meant that her position would be opening up.  She encouraged me to apply and then talked to the owner of the small company about me.  It seemed that it was a go.  He was interested in hiring me, I had the qualifications, and we set a date to interview.  

The interview went well and the pay was going to be great compared to my college work-study job which paid almost nothing.  

After the interview, I waited.  I prayed, thanking God for answering my prayers for a job and for opening the doors for this position.  God’s timing is always perfect.  

But then days went by and I heard nothing back from the company.  My friend had her baby and quit working and still nothing.  I was so disappointed.  It had seemed like this was the perfect answer to prayer for us.  The right job opening at the right time.  Right location and good pay.  

I began to question whether God had heard my prayers or if I had misunderstood or jumped to the conclusion that this was His answer to my prayer for a job.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement.  

No matter what is happening right now or isn’t, God is working on a great plan for you and me.  He has begun a work in each of us and He will be faithful to work through us – as long as we are willing – to see it to fulfillment.  

Finally, a couple weeks later, I received a phone call.  They would like to hire me for the position, but the company was moving to Canada.  If I’d like to move, they would be happy to give me the job!  

My husband still had one year of school left, so moving to Canada wasn’t an option.  The pay that had seemed really good, didn’t come anywhere near covering the cost of a move!  

What do you do when you’ve prayed for something and it seems like God is leading but then it falls through?  

Looking to get “anchored” in prayer? Try this resource here!

10 Bible Verses on Disappointment To Pray Over

Disappointments come in many packages.  Job loss, broken relationships, financial insecurity, disappointments within your church community and the list goes on. 

One thing you can be sure of is that Jesus understands disappointments.  He had disciples who betrayed him to His enemies.  He had people who didn’t understand or believe Him.  He healed people who took Him for granted.  

Disappointment is part of life, but you don’t have to let it rule your life.  

1. Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Claim this verse when you are disappointed and watch for the plans God has for your situation and life.  By focusing on God’s provision for you, you will be able to see the ways that God is leading you and providing for you right now.  

2. John 14:1-3

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God, believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:1-3

This was Jesus’ promise to his disciples just before he ascended to Heaven.  They were sad and disappointed that their leader, their mentor, their friend was leaving them.  But Jesus reminds them with a promise that His words are true and His promises are faithful.  

3. John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  John 14:27

Again, Jesus is reminding his disciples that He is going away but He is giving them the Holy Spirit to comfort them.  He gives freely, abundantly, and consistently.  The disciples have no need to worry or be afraid.  

4. Jeremiah 17:7-8

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Trusting in God helps your roots go deep and your ability to withstand trials and disappointments is strengthened by God.  

5. Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6

God is working on your life and the lives of those you love.  He has started a good work and will not abandon you when the wind shifts or disappointment comes crashing down.  

6. Matthew 6:25-26

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  Matthew 6:25-26

Take a few minutes and watch the birds.  Think about how much more precious you are to God.  He will take care of you!

7. Psalm 18:3

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.  From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him into his ears.”  Psalm 18:3

In the midst of disappointment, know that God is listening and hears your cries, is a comfort.  He will always hear you, whether you are happy, sad, heartbroken, or disappointed. 

8. Philippians 4:19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

No matter what your needs may be, God has the vastness of Heaven at His disposal and He will provide for your needs.  Your needs are so much smaller than His capacity to provide for you.  

9. Psalm 118:5-6

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.  The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”   Psalm 118:5-6

You may be struggling with disappointments, but God is with you.  Pray this verse to God and pray for his peace and to help you not be afraid.  

10. Matthew 6:33-34

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own”  Matthew 6:33-34

Seek God and pray through these scriptures when you are facing disappointment.  Give your worry and burden to God and ask Him to help through this trying time.  

A few weeks after I had been faced with the disappointment of the job moving to Canada, I was hired as a temporary employee at a local company.  I worked there for just a few weeks and was offered a full-time position in another department that would build on my college degree and skills.  

This job was a perfect fit.  I was allowed to have a flexible schedule when needed, the pay was much better and included health benefits.  I had an awesome boss who was eager to teach me and mentor me in many areas.  It was so much better than the first job I thought was God’s answer to my prayers.  

God’s timing is always best.  Even though we can’t see the end from the beginning and we often can’t see beyond the disappointments in life, God is willing and able to carry our burdens for us.  He will not forget the plan He has for us! 

Take some time to write these scriptures down on a note card or print them out.  Underline them in your Bible, write them in your prayer journal.  Pray them to God.  Ask Him for the strength to trust in Him.  

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

Pray for God to bring you joy in the morning.  It might not be tomorrow morning, but God’s promises are sure.  Keep praying scriptures through your disappointments and you will find joy in the morning.  If you feel like you’ve been praying for God’s answers and they just aren’t coming, read about Elijah and his journey of praying for rain.

Prayer For Disappointment

Dear God,

Please bless this reader as they are struggling with disappointment.  Strengthen them and help them to see you working in their life today – in the midst of the disappointments.  Show them that you have a plan for them and that your words are faithful and true.  Wipe the tears of their weeping and bring them joy in the morning.  

Amen

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