Dealing with Disappointment 对付沮丧

[Dexu Xia]

I had it in my heart to build a house . . . for the ark of the covenant. 1 Chronicles 28:2

After raising money all year for a “trip of a lifetime,” seniors from an Oklahoma high school arrived at the airport to learn that many of them had purchased tickets from a bogus company posing as an airline. “It’s heartbreaking,” one school administrator said. Yet, even though they had to change their plans, the students decided to “make the most of it.” They enjoyed two days at nearby attractions, which donated the tickets.

Dealing with failed or changed plans can be disappointing or even heartbreaking. Especially when we’ve invested time, money, or emotion into the planning. King David “had it in [his] heart to build” a temple for God (1 Chronicles 28:2), but God told him: “You are not to build a house for my Name . . . . Solomon your son is the one who will build my house” (vv. 3, 6). David didn’t despair. He praised God for choosing him to be king over Israel, and he gave the plans for the temple to Solomon to complete (vv. 11–13). As he did, he encouraged him: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work . . . for the Lord God . . . is with you” (v. 20).

When our plans fall through, no matter the reason, we can bring our disappointment to God who “cares for [us]” (1 Peter 5:7). He will help us handle our disappointment with grace.

By:  Alyson Kieda

When have you put a lot into plans that then fell through? What helped you to deal with your disappointment?

Dear God, thank You that Your promises and plans never fail. Please help me when mine do.

我心里本想建造殿宇，安放耶和华的约柜。—历代志上28章2节

为了参加终生难忘的毕业旅行，美国俄克拉荷马州一所中学的毕业生筹款了一整年。可是当他们到达机场时才发现，他们当中有许多人是在假冒为某航空公司的网站上，购买了伪造的机票。学校的一位行政人员说：“这件事真令人难过！”尽管学生们不得不改变计划，他们还是决定要好好享受，玩得尽兴。于是他们在附近的观光景点玩了两天，这些风景区还为他们提供免费的门票。

当计划失败或必须改变时，会令人沮丧甚至心碎，特别是我们为计划投入了许多时间、金钱或情感时，更是如此。大卫王心里本想为上帝建造殿宇（历代志上28章2节），但上帝对大卫说：“你不可为我的名建造殿宇，……你儿子所罗门必建造我的殿和院宇”（3、6节）。然而，大卫非但没有感到绝望，他还称谢上帝拣选他成为以色列的王，并将建造殿宇的计划交给所罗门去完成（11-13节）。大卫还鼓励所罗门说：“你当刚强壮胆去行！……我的上帝，与你同在。”（20节）

当我们的计划无论因何故而落空时，我们可以向上帝倾诉心中的沮丧，因为祂顾念我们（彼得前书5章7节）。祂会赐给我们恩典，帮助我们对付沮丧。

作者：  柯爱莉

你何时曾为某个计划投入许多心力，
却以失败告终？
当时是什么帮助你对付沮丧？

亲爱的上帝，我要感谢祢，
因祢的应许和计划永不落空。
当我的计划落空时，求祢帮助我对付沮丧