Dealing with Disappointment

When Jesus went about doing his public ministry, he disappointed a lot of people. Those that were closest to him were the most disappointed in him. In the most crucial hour they all deserted him or denied him or betrayed him. Jesus went from crowds in the thousands to parades in the hundreds to the isolation of the cross and entombment in a borrowed grave. His path was littered with the disappointment of those who believed he was the answer to their plight under Rome. When he died, Jesus may have been one of the most disappointing characters in human history. Another failed messianic hope.
We don't tend to think of Jesus in these terms - nor do we preach about it. The televangelists continue to spew their health, wealth, and prosperity ramblings, ignoring the poverty of Jesus, the message to the poor against wealth, and the disappointment that Jesus left in his wake. It is a sad truth that, in a time of economic crisis and financial hardship the church has left itself with a gospel of success rather than a gospel based on how to deal with disappointment. We could have prepared the world for the times in which we live. Instead, we threw away the message of the gospel for the gospel of the American Dream. Now, we have nothing to say that people will hear because our gospel of success has left too shallow a message. Woe is us, woe is us.
I just applied for my first position as a full-time professor at a seminary. One of my professors advised me of the position; the job description fit me to a "T"; my references were impeccable. I doubt I got any real consideration. In a pile of PhD's with years of teaching experience, my resume probably looked a little thin, to say the least. Nevertheless, I am disappointed. I thought this might be the answer. Get a position even before I graduate; have some financial security rather than piling up debt; be a success. I told family and friends about it. Now I have to tell them I'm not even going to be considered. I feel like I've disappointed my wife and family. It has been a depressing day. (Can you hear the pity party in my words?)
I have come to believe that helping people deal with disappointment may be the most important skill we help our congregations and leaders to develop. Nothing in this life will ultimately succeed. If it could, there would be no need for a new heaven and a new earth. The flowers fade and everyone dies. Dealing with disappointment would seem to be crucial. It is only in eternity that we find complete fulfillment and utter wealth. Not streets of gold but perfect fellowship and peace. Until then, however, we must learn to deal with disappointment. Especially if we want to live with Jesus as our example.
There will be better days ahead. Not every day is a disappointment. Not every loss is a loss (just like every win is not necessarily a win). God is still on the throne. He is still leading my life. He hasn't brought me this far to abandon me. The cross is not the end of the story and neither is the borrowed grave. No, the resurrection is the foundation of hope. It helps us all deal with disappointments.