Everybody knows that life is not perfect. Things don't always go our way, circumstances move against us, friends disappoint us, loved ones let us down, and often our desires are left unfilled. The list is endless. 

As spiritually minded Christians, sometimes that disappointment cuts with a keener edge. When something go wrong, it can sometimes lead a Christian to wondering if God is expressing disappointment with them, if they are being punished or sent a message. It turns an already painful situation into an even more stressful and trying ordeal. Or there is the opposite reaction, to stuff down and suppress their pain. To see expressing disappointment as some kind of lack of faith in God's plan. 

Neither reaction is healthy. Disappointment and heartache is painful and complicated enough to deal with as it is. Adding shame or guilt to the equation only makes things more difficult. While there is no "perfect” way to deal with all of life's disasters and tragedies, there are a few things we can keep in mind.

Being a Christian doesn't mean you can't express yourself and your frustrations, you don't have to feel guilty about it. Perspective is good. Knowing and understanding that there are people out there with bigger problems, or that God's plan doesn't necessarily mean everything is always going to work out exactly the way you like is a positive thing. But, when that perspective prevents you from addressing your own situation or expressing how you feel, when it becomes a dodge ("I can't complain because other people have it worse”), it is a problem.

Ignoring pain is not the same as dealing with pain. Trying to pretend like a disappointment or hardship doesn't get you down is one of the worst things you can do. Acknowledging your sadness and frustration is the first step towards healing. Without doing so, you can't move forward.

When personal disaster strikes, don't deal with it alone. Reach out to the people in your life who are there for you. Your family, your friends, and your Christian brothers and sisters. When we're in need of help and healing, God often works through other people.

When your hurt, don't close yourself off. Too often we try to hide our disappointments, pain, and vulnerabilities from the very people who could help us with them. Turn to your loved ones, turn to your fellow Christians. One of the reasons weekly communion is so important to the Christian faith is so we can have these support structures in place when we need them. 

Lean on your supports when you need them, and in turn, be there when they need you.

Disappointment hurts, and sometimes it's hard to see past that sting. It's important to remember though that what is happening right now is only one step in the road, that it doesn't define your whole life. Acknowledge your pain, call on your loved ones and friends for support, and don't lose sight of the future.  

God's plans are always larger than we can comprehend, but we know that he loves us as his children and watches over us. While we may struggle today, God will always be with us to make sure we get through it in the end. In this way, we can find hope in even the darkest moments of our life because we know we can depend on God's infinite grace. Find the strength to face your disappointments and heartaches through your relationship with God.