Disappointment

     Recently I have had conversations with friends and family who have experienced disappointment this past year. We also have had some expectations that have not been realized in regard to our business and personal financial plans.

 As I meditate on this, I expect these upcoming years may bring financial disappointment for many people around us. Since we have already been experiencing some of that, I am praying that God will give insight as to how He will use it to encourage other people.

I did a search for the word disappoint in my PC Study Bible and this was what came up:

Romans 5:1-5 NIV
     Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 

     Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

     As I understand this passage, the experiences in our lives are for a purpose, and at the end of the day, we will not be disappointed but rather filled with the love of God for others. If indeed, God pours out His love into our hearts through His Holy Spirit, we can face what comes with joy, knowing that we have a better hope.