These encouraging Bible verses will help you to overcome disappointment through the words and truths of the Lord God and Jesus Christ. The Scriptures will comfort your heart when you're disappointed and bring faith, hope, and strength to your spirit.
I am not a born optimist, but then, I don't think anyone really is.
Despite appearances, I do not naturally see the good in people or in situations. My heart hides snarky cynicism and crushing depression, fragile insecurity and paralyzing anxiety. I have to work (harder than you think) at being pleasant and cheerful and uplifting.
I fail.
It is 12:52 am.
I am alone in a dark, quiet house. Isn't this every mothers' dream? Peace and quiet and time for reflection?
The rest of my family is enjoying a planned weekend away. I, too, had weekend plans, cancelled against my wishes at the last minute.
My heart is so heavy, burdened with the loss of encouragement and refreshment and friendship the weekend promised.
My limbs should be splayed out in the middle of my empty bed, and I should be deep in sleep.
About ten minutes ago, words I read in a Skype chat almost three weeks ago jolted me awake. My eyes flung open, and I jumped out of bed.
You should write about dealing with disappointment, she typed.
I can't, I argued. There are too many disappointments in my life right now (little did I know what was on the horizon!). It's just too close to home.
I don't remember what she said next, whether it was something like That's why you should write about it, or Do it when you're ready, or maybe nothing at all. I hadn't thought about the conversation another second until it woke me up in the middle of the night.
Disappointment (noun): the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the defeat of one's hopes or expectations
The disappointments in my life have been many.
The selfish, immature part of me wants to lay them all out before you, as if your kindness and pity would make them go away. They won't.
Our circumstances are different, yours and mine, but we both have them. Yours are as real and crushing and painful to you as mine are to me, and they linger, needling our hearts, despite our best intentions to leave them behind.
13 Bible Verses to Overcome Disappointment
- Believe in God's plan. Our God is a miracle worker. He can part waters, move boulders, heal the dead (not just the sick, remember, the dead), save, destroy, bless, and curse. He can do anything, everything, things beyond our comprehension. He has done, all throughout history, for Christians all over the world.
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9
When I say you have to believe, I mean you have to believe that God has got this thing in His hands. He is looking out for you. He is working out a plan that is bigger than you, and you are going to be better for it in the end.
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11
Sometimes, it takes a painful disappointment to teach us a skill or strengthen our faith or to put us in the right place at the right time. We don't know His ways or His thoughts. We just have to believe in His promise.
- Grieve. Things have not gone the way you wanted. Your hopes and expectations have been defeated. You need to spend some quiet time being sad, mourning the way you thought things would be.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18
Cry. Exercise. Read. Do whatever it is that releases the sadness, the disappointment, the defeat, the suffering.
And then, eventually, you have to stop grieving and move on.Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. -Psalm 30:5
Disappointment is not meant to define you, my friend. It is not meant to hold you hostage or weigh you down into the mire of depression. Don't give it that power.
- Pray. You had to know this was coming, right? Spend some time talking to your Heavenly Father. Tell Him your heartache. Tell Him about the plans you had and ask Him to show you why He's taken them away. I promise you that He has good in this for you, and it's okay to ask Him what that good is.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
Talk to Him like you'd talk to your best friend. Your prayer doesn't have to be pretty or sound like one at your church. It just has to be honest and come from your heart.
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. -Psalm 55:22
You, my friend, are the godly. You are chasing after God, trying to do the right thing, seeking a better understanding of Him. Aren't you? He's talking about you.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7
- Listen and wait. Big things happen when we pray. Sometimes, they are blessings beyond our expectations.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. -Matthew 6:6
Sometimes they happen right away, but usually they happen later when we least expect them. Keep waiting in God's love and grace. You'll know when your prayer has been answered.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. -Psalms 27:14
- Search for the good. This is a miserable time to try to be thankful. I don't know about you, but all I want to do is wallow in self pity of my dreams deferred (or dreams lost). This is the time when it's hardest - and most important - to find the good, grab onto it with both hands, and celebrate it. You need to find a new perspective and praise the One who created all the good in the world.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24
In beginning this post in the middle of the night, I came to understand that it wouldn't have happened if my plans had worked out. I wouldn't have been sleeping fitfully. I wouldn't have jumped out of bed to write these words. It was God's plan for me to write these words. (It has been an incredibly soothing and cathartic process). It is also His plan for you to be reading them right now. I am thankful that He chose me.
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19b-20
- Believe in yourself. You too are part of God's great plan. He is preparing you to do His work right now, even in this time of disappointment. No matter what burden comes, know that He will help you stand underneath it, carry it up the hill, and triumph over it in the end.*
Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:28-31
God believes in you. You may not feel equipped to handle this on your own, but He'll give you what you need to get through it.
For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
*The triumph doesn't always happen when we think it should. Sometimes, we only triumph over our struggles as we leave this broken world. A conversation I had with my pastor illustrates this point:
"Tara, God will heal her."
"I just don't know that He will. She is so sick. She hardly gets out of bed."
"He is going to heal her. He might heal her body now, or He might heal her soul in heaven, but you can trust Him to heal her."
Wow. The simplicity and immensity of that statement left me with many tears but complete peace. We can trust Him to defeat our disappointment, no matter what it is.
Get these Bible verses on overcoming disappointment in a convenient black and white printable below. You can work on memorizing and meditating on them, one at a time.
If you need help with a system for memorizing verses, check out this post on our family's memorization habit.
Jeff Allen says
Thanks for this! It helped me a lot. God is much bigger than my disappointments! It's all about trust! Trusting the Lord for He knows everything and He has better plans for me! Thank You so much! I was blessed! =)
Jessica Kendrixs says
Thank you so much for this beautiful post, I was crying all morning about this job that I really wanted. But reading this post, I realised I should not be angry with God for not giving it but grateful that I will gain a unique lesson from it. I know my time will come so I leave everything over to him. God bless.
Sarah says
My disappointment was not getting the job I was sure was meant for me. 🙁 Like others here, I also googled verses to do with disappointment because I prefer standing on the word of God to spiralling into dark thoughts!! I liked seeing Ephesians 5:20 in your list. It reminds me of an old book I read by Merlin Caruthers 'From Prison to Praise' the gist is, to praise God and give thanks for EVERYTHING (even the bad) in so doing, all things work together for our good, he shares some amazing testimonies. Another verse to add your list could be: 'But he knows the way I take, when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold' Job 23.10 Thank you for your encouraging and strengthening post, still impacting lives 4 years down the line!! Praise God x
Jessica William says
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for this. I was actually dealing with what i consider a small disappointment actually though i was wallowing about it too long and too loudly. But i feel so blessed to see you sharing this. I already remembered some of the verses, but with you writing them down here, it is a different level of encouragement. You made me feel once again that God is really close to those who are broken-hearted and His plan is good.
With you too, it seems ure dealing with a much larger disappointment than me. But yes, i believe He is really close to you too my dear, and i pray that you will be given strength and patience and a lot of encouragement and consolation in this stage of life.
I thank you for writing this article and become God's extension when i feel lonely because my family and friends may not really understand or really care (and sometimes, cant really blame them. Its okay, ppl have a lot of things to lookout for themselves too). You made me remember again, through this article, that God is ever present, and He cares. Thank you for that, thank you for getting up and writing this article. I feel blessed to have read this, and so grateful for God for the chance
Cyril. says
I'm heartbroken, my step-daughter ran out of the house few day ago,but before this incident she coursed a lot of problems with entire family. There's no peace at home when she with us,my wife and I keep wondering what went wrong for she has only been with us for two years after I moved her to the states. Because of all the lies that she told to different members of the family and never take responsibility of her actions everyone is not getting along. I loved her with all my heart, had a great plan for her future but now all is lost. I have prayed,as why me but so much discouraged and disappointed. Can someone help?
Suzan says
Cyril. I am praying for your family. You might seek advice from a Christian counselor. Blessings to you.
Cyril says
Thanks Suzan for taking your time to write me,maybe the good lord bless you and your family this Christmas!
NWABISA says
I never thought someone I thought loves me so much can hurt me so badly. MY FIANCEE made another lady pregnant and only told me after the child was born and child is 3months when he propose to me he new the lady is pregnant. Iam so hurt and disappointed is painful. I can think straight don't know what to do . I Need GOD to take away the pain.
Dana Che says
Thank you so much Lord for keeping Tara up in the night so that she could pen these amazing, heartfelt words of encouragement that have ministered deep into my soul today. Tara, there have been many who have tried to say the right things during my time of disappointment but I believe that God let me to your blog today because you said exactly what needed to be said. Thank you for opening up your heart and allowing the Lord to minister directly to me through your words.
Paa Kwesi Adams says
I just read this piece. I am very grateful to you. My wedding was cancelled by my partner just a week before the wedding day. It's been a week now and I do not know where to start my life from. i have prayed and prayed yet no sign of hope from her. She has stopped answering my calls now. In fact this the biggest challenge for me now. I can't go to church nor resume work. I just do not know what to do. I just typed "bible verses when disappointed in life" and your piece popped up. God bless you. I am really gratful.
Rebecca says
Thank you for this. Sadness and disappointment had me searching for bible verses to strenthen me. Thank you for writing this.
Susan feelslikehomeblog Noack says
Thank you for writing this three years ago. It was well thought out and obvious that you were dealing with disappointments at the time. It helped me organize my thoughts to deal with my disappointments.
Bonnie says
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this...it is just what I needed right now! God has used you mightily, thank you for the encouragement!
Gina says
Man,... this hit me so hard and made me tear up. I'm going through hell and even then, I know there are people all around me hurting worse. I have to be thankful that my disappointments are not as hard as they are for others, but why do I still feel so much hurt? I've been a crying, sobbing and angry mess the last few weeks and reading this helped me so much. Thanks for this and god bless!
Kathy says
I found this blog after searching "what does the Bible say about disappointment," little thing have been adding up and I needed to hear these words. I cried a little and smiled some and feel so much better and empowered with the verses you have provided. I've taken it to Him and trust His ways are better than mine. Thank you for your blog, it has helped allot.
eileen says
Thanks so much for your words. Grieving over a terrible hurt from yesterday. Thought that an old cherished relationship was beginning again only to learn that after getting close again that their is someone else in his life. I was so shocked I couldn't breathe. I know I'll get over it in time but right now I just feel so alone and lonely. I wish I could have that one special person in my life. I know the lord has me in his care but right now I'm in so much pain
Kholeka says
Thank you for this! Truly heaven sent and so accurate in my life right now. God bless you and your ministry
Daniel says
Wow! Reading this really hit home....crazy how sometimes you feel like you are the only one feeling like this...after reading this I felt a level of comfort that I haven't felt in days...passages are really eye opening...gotta leave it up to the lord to guide me he will get me thru this feeling of disappointement...thank you for sharing this!!
Holly Grenwelge says
As I was scrolling through years of comments I realized how important your words are, not just to me, but to so many.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Had never thought to allow myself to grieve over disappointments. I feel like I have a plan to move forward.
faitj says
powerful. thank you so much . Be blessed according to your Faith.
Disappointed says
I came to this site when searching for "disappointed with God" I guess one shouldn't be surprised when people disappoint us altho the more we love or trust them the more it hurts. I know the "pad" answers but I have prayed freverently about an end to a hostile and manulipative court procedures toward my son from his ex. I don't understand why she is allowed to continue with venonmous treatment and lies and get's by. Continue with "made up" motions( usually even same motions replayed time and time again.) I won't take the space to say everything but this person carried on an affair while living with my son, abandoned her 2 children and aborted his child (most likely his) without telling him she was pregnant. She moved in with a convicted felon and became pregnant within 3 months after aborting that child and choose to have his. She lies under oath, has managed to not pay support for a year and 4 months and get's away with it by filing motion after motion in court. Our family is nearing $60,000 in attorney fees. While my son did win primary and custody ( All glory to God ) still she continues with harassment, mistreatment to the children ( yes, she still gets visitation despite her behavior and her live in is a violent felon with convictions of assault and other charges). I have prayed so hard for an end to this without harm to anyone. Yet it continues and she comes out without any responsibilities and smelling like a rose. It isn't up to me to "judge" or hold her accountable for her actions. I understand that. We just request an ending. Peace to move forward in all the healing. The children cry and become depressed and anxious/fearful when they have to visit. My hope and confidence is still in God. But I'm so hurt and disappointed with where we are right now. What about when God doesn't stop the storm and we are all sinking? What then? How much mistreatment and iresponsibility will He allow before He steps in... I'm so hurt. Anyone else ever struggle with disappointment with God's response.
Tara Ziegmont says
I'm sorry for your situation. It is entirely different, but I wrote about being mad at God in another post. It might bring you some comfort. https://feelslikehomeblog.com/2016/11/10-bible-verses-for-when-youre-mad-at-god/
Pauline says
Pray for me dear ones. Things have been very hard for me since 5yrs ago when I left my hubby but God Blessed me with a baby and it's more than happiness for me. I've not been able to live alone and sustain myself and my child but God brought along someone who really loves us and wants to share a life with us. I have received alot of dissapointing words from close family members.... Yes... Even my mother says some very hurting words cos of my financial strains.
Pray for me dear ones that as I start my new life with my loved one that we shall be Blessed and God's favor be upon us. That God will expand our territory so I can forget my difficult times.
Aoife says
Thank you for this, it is exactly what I needed to read just now.
Shelley says
I am sad that I am so used to disappointment that I just automatically expect it these days. It seems that I have had tragedy after tragedy in my life. When things are good I do not enjoy the feeling because I know the other shoe is going to drop. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I release my everything to Him. Bad things just keep coming and coming. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of bright spots in between but they get overshadowed by the size of the bad things that go on. I pray every day that the devil loses his grip on my life. I lost my first husband to suicide, then his father committed suicide 7 years later, but before he killed himself he wrote his two grandchildren from my husband out of his will. My daughter has a congenital heart defect, my son suffers from mental instability and has been raped and molested by a family member, he has struggled with addiction, jail time and just basically functioning. I just want life to stop and give me a break for a minute....
Jake says
Thank you so much for this. I found out yesterday that my little brother got his girlfriend pregnant. I am so hurt, disappointed and heartbroken. We have no money and my mum who is a single mother has been struggling to pay our college fees. We are four kids. I am sad about what this means for his moral character. I am also burdened by what society and the external family will think. We live in Africa, where this sort of thing is unacceptable in our culture. My mother is disappointed as well because she has been through so much, the loss of both her parents, followed shortly by the loss of her husband (our dad). Then a couple of years later her only brother dies as well. I am worried about my mum because I feel her life has been a series of disappointments. And when she expects her kids to bring her good news for a change, my brother goes and does this. I have a class this morning but I don't know how to go out there and pretend everything is normal. I can't wrap my mind around it. I am sorry for my long comment, but I just needed to tell somebody. Thank you for this because as I read it, it gave me a sense of peace. I will keep reading it each time I start to get anxious again. Thank you so much and I pray God helps you through whatever you may be facing. To those that keep their eyes on Him, He is faithful.
Evelyn says
Hi Jake, i was born and brought up in Africa and i know exactly what you mean. Just keep encouraging your mum and talk to your brother. I believe something good will come out of all this. This too shall come to pass. God is surely working behind the scene and a break through is just at the corner. keep praying, keep trusting, keep up with the faith.
R. L Brock says
I googled for scripture for disappobtmrment and this blog came up from years ago to present. I know about an unexpected pregnancy in a loved ones life. It is shock and many disappointment. But The Lord says Choose Life and He will honor and protect and provide that Life! Hecwill restore Allllll that was lost or stolen! I u derstand the worry of how society might judge and the struggle but The Word says that when one repents and changes their ways God is faithful and just and forgives us of alll our sin and washes away the unrightness. A woman pastor just shared a couple weeks back about how we don't know what's around the corner. No matter how bleak or strained or terrifying really a situation is , we don't know what's around the corner! I ve had more than my share of dissapointment in my life. And just reading the original blog when you said Ask God why this happened gave my soul grounding as I remember to tell Him how I feel. recentky I ve had disappointment at work. But your blog shows me this is not uncommon to man. I'm. It the only single parent / close to 60. My child and grandchildren are beautiful and healthy. We have a home a job vacations church ...... things are not how I want in family and relationships but God Has A plan!!thank you for this blog years ago anointed by the Himy spirit . God bless you
Mhaian says
Hi!, thank u so much for ur blog, it helps me a lot to understand God's way and his holy plan for me, because I got so many simple, beautiful and pleasing dream to God, but things won't work and I can't have it even it is just within my reach, I can say I am Godly but still sometimes I lost hopes, but my trust in him and in his plan is my priority, thank u so much, it encourage n inspired me a lot, God bless u n ur family!
Heather says
Where do i begin, i really feel like im going out of control my lease is up in our apartment my husband is working as hard as he can i have two children one has many disabilities, have no placeto live when we leave here no family to help behind in my car payment found a place just dont have enough money to get in behind in mycar payment checking overdrawn i am very over whelmed not sure where to tuen then came across this and seeing your hope and others i am not giving up ohhh lord no i am not giving up thank you for writing your post.
Sherylgirl says
Ever since I can remember I have had a childlike faith in God. Raised in a wonderful church, I have always been active, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, playing the piano, and trying to use the talents and abilities God gave me for His glory. I have always felt strong in the Lord and believed He would guide me. But now that I am 68 years old, the debilitating disappointment is just so overwhelming ... it's much harder than I thought it would be. I'm so disappointed in myself that I haven't been able to get my weight under control - it has stolen all my dignity and self confidence and energy. I haven't been able to get out of debt - at this late point in my life, I must work full time and I'm so tired and downhearted. It seems everywhere I turn someone is showing me their new home or telling me about their wonderful trip ... the fun they are having in retirement. Or worse ... they ask me, "When in the world are you going to retire?" Do they think I WANT to this? Can you imagine how it hurts to smile and say something like "Well, some day." All I have is work and worry and struggle and disappointment. I feel like a weak, sad version of that young Christian person I used to be. I pray so hard sometimes ... I don't know how to pray any harder or any more. Often I cry as I pray, just begging and pleading for help of some sort ... for a way out of this trap. My husband is loving and wonderful but he can't do anything to help -- sees me off to work for 10-11 hour days and helps me cook supper when I get home. Day after day after day. I've been able to paste a smile on my face and have faith that things will change for so many years, but I'm just so tired. Tired of being depressed and disappointed ... tired of running until I drop ... tired of being tired and down all the time. Where are you, Lord? I've always believed in and depended on you ... I've always asked for your guidance and tried to follow your way. And now I feel abandoned. I read these other posts and I know I'm not alone - some folks have problems far worse than mine. But after so many years of fighting ... I'm just so tired and let down and sad. There's just no light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for listening.
SHARON NOAH says
I was in need of HELP for my relationship. Me and my ex boyfriend has been dating for 2years. The cause of us breaking up is because I was listening to what people say about him and I started accusing him of cheating. and he was really cheating. i caught him cheating. We broke up for two months. We never after the incidence. But I really want him back but idk what to do. I've been trying to get him back but he won't budge. He say he tired of me and don't want to be in a relationship with me anymore. ?? I had to win my way back into his heart, i was heartbroken and i used to love him with all my heart, i tried everything to repair our relationship but nothing came alright, luckily enough i was browsing on the internet and i saw testimony of clients who talked about Dr Mack and also i saw his email address dr_mack@yahoo. com, i thought may be its was a joke but my heart was restless until i contacted him and i used his spell and it worked so nice, his spell made my boyfriend to take me back as his girlfriend, it also made my boyfriend to love me more, anyone who want his or her lover back should contact Dr_Mack
India says
Thank you for allowing God to use you. The reward of being obedient saves many souls ...God bless you
Saba'atu Elizabeth Danladi says
I found the scriptures helpful. Sometimes you pray, read the word of God and even confess God's promises yet nothing seems to change. After earnest prayers, no answer. At that point, one become discouraged especially when people around you begin to mock you.