Look for Unexpected Hope in the Midst of Surging Disappointment

Have you ever set your heart on something, prayed with all your might, and then watched the answer slowly slip away? The sting of that disappointment can be almost too much to bear. It surges like a wave, threatening to drown out our faith in God. Yet, in those times, we must look for unexpected hope in the midst of surging disappointment, not only to survive but also to allow our faith to thrive. 

Honest Acknowledgement of Pain

Our temptation might be to cover up the dissatisfaction and pain through busyness, putting on a positive spin, or pretending all is well. Disappointments and suffering can also lead us down a path of clinging to what we see rather than to what God has promised. 

We may fear that acknowledging the pain will shake our confidence and leave us weary. Hope can feel so fragile when the future is unknown.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 
(Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

Surging Disappointment

I remember biting my lip and clasping my hands together until they hurt as we waited for the doctor to review my friend, Sara’s, medical records. We prayed earnestly that this doctor would agree to the complex “Whipple Surgery” in an attempt to save her life from the cancer that was ravaging her young 40-year-old body.

First, it was a no, and tears burst out uncontrollably. I silently cried out to God, Why won’t you heal her? This surgery is her only hope left.

Oh, but what I didn’t know about hope.

The doctor’s initial “no” turned to a “yes” after further consideration. However, it only bought her a little time. My heart ached as I watched her frail body endure so much pain, yet her faith shone bright.

Through it all, my lovely friend, Sara, taught me what it means to hope in the midst of surging disappointment, and it starts with pivoting toward Jesus.

We do not hope because we see—we hope because the Lord is faithful. #hope #Lord #unexpectedhope Share on X

Turning Toward God

Sara taught me how to put our hope in God through the way she lived those last years. She never lost sight of God’s hope. Yes, we prayed for complete healing, which only came when she entered heaven. But all along her journey, she turned to the Lord, and I saw firsthand how God placed pockets of hope and joy in some of the most unexpected places.

Disappointments in life hurt, cause upheavals, and change the course of what we had expected. Yet, they cannot silence God’s promises, cancel His love, or sift out hope.  #hope #disappointments #unexpectedhope #Godspromises Share on X

Sarah’s life reminded me that hope doesn’t mean we won’t have pain, but it can grow stronger in the middle of tragedy.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” 
(Romans 5:3-5 NIV)

Discover five ways to discover unexpected hope in the midst of surging disappointment. #disappointment #mareedee #unexpectedhope #hope Share on X

Five Ways to Find Unexpected Hope

1. Pause and Lament

Permit yourself to mourn with God and others. Life hurts, and the losses and suffering are plenty.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 
(Psalm 34:18 NIV)

2. Shift Perspective

Look for the goodness of God and unexpected hope in everything. When God blessed Sara with a bit of extra strength, she thanked Him and made the most of those moments. They were like little deposits of hope for the arduous journey.

I saw her do things in her last two years of life that I never saw her do before—like dancing around uninhibited and acting silly. She even had fun experimenting with different hairstyles, lengths, and colors in her wigs, but she would also go without them.

Sara’s joy taught me to let the good moments explode with delight, even when sorrow lingers.  

3. Cling to God’s Word

Write down scriptures of hope and return to them often. Sara and I compiled a long list of verses to hold onto in the darkest hours.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

4. Surround Yourself with Encouragement

Find a Christian community, people who understand your circumstances, and friends who share your values. Explore worship music, books, blogs, or podcasts that will be life-giving and fill your cup with encouragement.

5. Keep an “I Will Remember Journal”

Record how God has moved in the past. When new disappointments arrive, you will have reminders of His faithfulness. Hope grows when we can look back and say, “Yes, He carried me then, and He will carry me now.”

If you’d like even more encouragement from God’s Word, I recently shared a companion post on Melanie Redd’s website called “Five Scriptures that Bring Hope When Life Feels Impossible.” I’d love for you to read it—it pairs beautifully with our post today.

God’s Hope Endures

God’s hope endures in the midst of surging disappointment. It even shines brightest in the dark. However, we must look for hope and cling to Jesus. #Jesus #disappointment #hope Share on X

Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.

—Charles Haddon Spurgeon

My Prayer For You—

Unexpected hope may appear as light breaking through cracks in a dark room. It often shows up right where we least expect it. That’s why I call this post Look for Unexpected Hope in the Midst of Surging Disappointment. It’s an invitation to keep watching for the glimmers of God’s faithfulness—even in hard places.

Will you take five minutes today to write down one disappointment that you’ve experienced? Then invite God to show you an unexpected glimpse of hope within it. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee

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