Disappointment

Disappointment can be defined as sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.  While this definition is fairly simple, the concept of disappointment is far more complex, because we tend to have various "levels" of disappointment.  We quite often are more or less disappointed in ourselves, or for members of our families, or for close friends, or for strangers, or for adults, or for children, or for pets and so on and so on.

Disappointment is nothing new.  Over and over again, as we read Holy Scripture, we see examples of disappointment.  We see humans "falling short of the mark" over and over again.  Think about Adam and Eve...

However, a close examination of the New Testament examples reveal that Jesus was never disappointed; how could He be, since He knew what would happen before it happened, and He knew that humans were flawed.   

Because we are flawed humans, we quite often easily see the flaws of others, but not our own shortcomings.  We, far too often, come to expect perfection in others and become disappointed when they do not "measure-up", yet perhaps just as often, we are blind to our own shortcomings.  

Over and over again, we, as flawed humans, experience disappointment.  For many of us, we become angry at the person or thing that has disappointed us.  Yet, a closer examination might reveal that perhaps our hopes or expectations for that person or thing were not realistic in the first place.  

Please understand, I firmly believe that we should have high expectations for ourselves and others, I also believe that others should have high expectations for us. However, I also believe that we need to be sure that in our quest for people meeting those expectations, we do not become judgmental.

Yes, Jesus sets a high standard for us.  He also provided us with a very important gift...forgiveness!  

Wow