Handling Disappointments

I am sure many of you may be feeling disappointment right now with the current state of events. I know I am. The weather is slowly getting nicer. Easter is here. Yet, we can’t get out and enjoy some of the things we normally can do this time of year.

I’m especially disappointed for my youngest son Collin who is a senior in high school. When I discovered I had breast cancer, it was during my oldest son Allen’s senior year of high school. Though his senior year was pretty normal with all the normal senior activities, I always felt like my cancer diagnosis with its subsequent surgeries overshadowed what should have been a most special time in his life.

All the time since, I have just prayed to be healthy with no unexpected crisis upstaging Collin’s senior year. Yet, here we are now dealing with something else totally unexpected and disappointing.

We received news last week that school has been cancelled for the rest of the year, and Collin will finish classes online. At this point, we are not sure what prom, awards ceremonies, or graduation will look like. It is also compounded by some other things I have not shared before here on the blog.

Collin was a very talented wrestler. He also loved playing football too, but wrestling was his favorite sport and where he excelled. His freshman year he went to regionals for wrestling. I think his coaches, fans, and family clearly expected him to qualify for state one day. Yet, he had to deal with some devastating disappointments in the years to follow as a result of multiple injuries. His junior year he didn’t get to participate at all due to injuries.

I share all of this to say that disappointing things happen to us all whether before, during, or after quarantine. Unfortunately, some of us go through more than others. Some disappointments are much more severe or crippling. Why that is, we can’t always understand. So then, what is the best way to deal with our disappointments?

As a believer, I try to always place my disappointments in God’s hands. While it’s simple to say this, it certainly is not easy to walk through disappointment. Yet, you and I can rest assured that we are not alone. God walks right beside us through every trial. I also try to focus on the positives and the blessings. I know how easy it is to get caught up in self-pity where I can only focus on the bad. Yet, I’ve always found there is so much more to be thankful for even in the middle of disappointment.

Plus, it is only God, alone, who can bring us some of our biggest victories despite the disappointments we face. I have seen great victories in my life through God’s direction, protection, and grace. I am sure that many of you have experienced some great victories too!

As for my son, despite this unusual senior year, I am glad to say he is healthy and happy. While the celebrations surrounding his graduation may be smaller or different, that doesn’t diminish all he has accomplished! Plus, he was able to come back from all his injuries to have one of his best football and wrestling seasons his senior year. Despite the doubts of some that he would not be able to play again, he preserved through hard work and determination. He learned to never give up or quit. He found his direction and his purpose through all of it. He wants to help others and be a physical therapist.

While today we may feel disappointed that we are confined inside our homes, I know we can still see all the blessings we have. While we may feel helpless, God is still working for us. There will be a victory on the other side to come. It just takes patience and faith.