10 Bible Verses About Disappointment: How to Handle Spiritual Frustration
Regardless of the depth and strength of our faith, most of us will be disappointed in God at some point. During these times, turning to God’s Word can give us hope. Today, we’ll explore 10 Bible verses about disappointment. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to encourage you.
Bible Verses About Disappointment
It is Christmas morning here in Pennsylvania. This is the morning God bends down to meet us. This is the day we celebrate a groaning mother’s messy morning in a manger, the birth of a Messiah who comes quietly and unexpectedly.
The world didn’t expect the Messiah to arrive in this way, wrapped in the flesh of a wailing newborn.
Perhaps there’s a greater lesson for us all today: God often fails to meet our expectations.
What do we do when this happens, when God doesn’t meet our expectations?
Christmas stirs hope in the reminder that Jesus has come and that he will one day return and make all things new. It stirs hopes for happy children and delicious meals gathered around tables with loved ones.
As you read these words today, it probably isn’t Christmas morning. Nevertheless, let’s have an honest moment. Just as holidays that are meant to be wonderful and joyful often fail to meet our expectations, sometimes, God disappoints us too.
At times, God doesn’t meet our expectations.
What do we do when feel disappointed in God?
How do you step into a new season, embrace a painful situation, and trust God when he doesn’t show up in all the ways you expected? #trustingGod #faithinGod #unmetexpectations Share on X
When You’re Disappointed in God
Scripture offers practical insight from none other than Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The angel Gabriel has just appeared to inform Mary that she will soon give birth to the Son of God. Mary is concerned about how this will happen, especially since she is still a virgin. Gabriel assures Mary that it will be the work of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s pause and reflect on this familiar story.
Let’s not allow familiarity to lead us to gloss over the details.
God has just thrown Mary the curve ball of all curve balls. Not only is she an unwed virgin who now has a story no one will believe, but she has also been told that she is about to give birth to the promised Messiah, the long-awaited Son of God.
Perhaps God has thrown you a curve ball or two throughout this past year, too. It might have come in the form of a diagnosis, the loss of someone you deeply loved, the downfall of a dream, or a disappointment so grave that your life is forever shaken. You might feel like God let you down.
What are we to do when God doesn’t make sense?
Mary’s response to the angel offers wisdom for our most troubled, fearful, overwhelming, and disappointing moments. Mary says to Gabriel, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38 NASB).
In the words of this simple phrase, Mary exhibits three attitudes that offer to carry us through the moments when God doesn’t make sense:
1. Express commitment to God, even when you don’t understand what he is doing.
The Greek word for “bondslave” can also be translated, “handmaid” or “female slave.”
In the original language, the word denotes a woman who has wholly given herself to the service of the one she serves. By calling herself God’s bondslave, Mary emphasizes her whole-hearted commitment to serve and follow God, even when the details do not make sense.
Most likely, the details surrounding your unexpected circumstances don’t make sense.
You haven’t caught a glimpse of the fully pieced-together puzzle.
Tell God that you trust him, even with what you cannot see. If you don’t trust him just yet, ask him to help you grow in trust.
Next, commit to keep following him, even when the path before you is not yet illuminated. He promises to provide just enough light for you to keep putting one foot in front of another (see Psalm 119:105).
2. Surrender to his plan.
Mary could have listed dozens of reasons why an unexpected pregnancy was a bad idea. She could have pled for God to make a different way.
Have you ever paused to consider why Jesus would come into the world in a way that seemed just a little scandalous?
Mary was expecting a baby, and she and Joseph both knew that Joseph was not the father. Mary’s response to the high calling to carry the Son of God is compelling: She surrendered to God’s will before she knew how his plan would unfold. She surrendered before she knew whether or not Joseph would stay with her or choose to divorce her quietly.
Is there an area of your life in which you sense God calling you to submit to a plan that doesn’t make sense in your mind? Pause to consider what it would look like to surrender to this plan today.
3. When you’re disappointed in God, reject self-reliance.
The Greek word for bondservant signifies a master and slave who are literally tied together.
If you are struggling to embrace some part of your life today, will you cling to God as if you are tied to him?
Will you express your desire to follow him, even into places you don’t understand?
You might feel tempted to come up with your own plan or turn away from him. Today I gently challenge you to resist the urge to turn from God. Turn toward him instead. He has a plan for you, and his plans for you are good.
You can trust him. Ask him to reveal reveal his trustworthiness to you and wait with eager expectations. His timing rarely matches our timing, but he will move in his perfect timing.
Bible Verses About Disappointment
Here are 15 Bible verses about disappointment. Turn to these words of truth to help trust God in disappointing times.
1. 1 Peter 5:7, ESV
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
2. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
3. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
4. Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
5. Joshua 10:25
And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
Five More Bible Verses About Disappointment
6. Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
7. Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
8. Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
9. Isaiah 40:31
10. Romans 5:3-5
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Endure This Difficult Time:
Hope for Hard Days is my free 10-day online devotional to help you hold onto hope when life is tough. You will find 10 readings to help you connect with God and claim his peace. Click here and I’ll send it to your email inbox today for free with promo code HOPE. I also invite you to check out my full library of free online devotionals right here.
