Celebrating Disappointment
“You
have turned my mourning into dancing.” — Psalm 30:11
After
receiving his second Academy Award, Denzel Washington said to his family, “I
told you, if I lost tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate. And if I won
tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate.” Denzel, a Christian, was trusting
God, whether in blessing or in disappointment.
A
Christian couple I know were inspired to follow Denzel’s example. The woman was
applying for a dream job that had just opened up where she worked. The
interview went well, but she knew she might not get the position. Her husband
suggested, “Let’s make reservations at
our favorite restaurant this Friday to celebrate—no matter what the outcome.”
Soon
the news came that someone else was offered the job. But that Friday the
disappointed couple still celebrated. While eating a delicious meal, they were
able to count their blessings and renew their faith in the God who holds
tomorrow’s opportunities in His hand.
When the psalmist counted his blessings,
he was lifted out of his despair and praised God, saying, “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11).
Are
you facing a situation in which you could be disappointed? Why not set up a
celebration to count your blessings no
matter what the outcome?
Thank God in your disappointment,
Celebrate His grace and love;
Know
that He will never leave you
And will bless you
from above. —D. De Haan
A heart of gratitude soothes the
pain of disappointment.
From “Our Daily Bread,” copyright 2008 by RBC Ministries,
The Alpine shepherds have a beautiful custom
of ending the day by singing an evening farewell to one another. The air is so crystalline that the song
carries a long distance. As dusk begins
to fall, they gather their flocks and begin to lead them down the mountain
paths, singing, “Hitherto has the Lord
helped us. Let us praise His Name!” ~ Selected ~