Life Principle 20
Disappointments are inevitable; discouragement is a choice. (Hab 3:17-19)
Disappointments are inevitable; discouragement is a choice. (Hab 3:17-19)
Life’s Questions
Life often doesn’t turn out the way that you think it should. Opportunities that you were counting on don’t turn out the way that you thought they would. People that you thought you could depend on end up letting you down. Even the plans and expectations that you designed for yourself have been frustrated. It’s all very disappointing.
What hopes do you have for your life? What opportunities, relationships, or situations are you constantly reaching for? It is human nature to have hopes—they motivate you and keep you striving for the best. Unfortunately, your expectations can also disappoint you terribly if they don’t come true. During those times of disillusionment, the most important thing for you to remember is Life Principle 20: Disappointments are inevitable; discouragement is a choice. Will you allow your disappointments to dishearten you? Will you allow them to impede you from becoming everything that God created you to be? It’s your decision, so choose wisely.
*** The prophet Habakkuk ministered in Judah c. 612 BC to 588 BC, before and during the Babylonian invasion.
What the Bible Says
Read Zephaniah 1:2–6. What was happening in Judah before the Babylonians invaded?
Read Habakkuk 1:1–6. What was Habakkuk’s reaction to the idolatry, immorality, and injustice that he saw daily in his nation? What was God’s response to Habakkuk (5–6).
Read Habakkuk 2:2–4. Why does God tell Habakkuk to write down His judgment concerning Babylon (2–3)?
What is God’s admonition to Habakkuk in verse 4?
Read Habakkuk 3:17–19. How does Habakkuk respond to God?
*** The people of Judah were serving fertility gods—the basis for their idolatry was to increase their crops and prosperity. Habakkuk names all of the major crops of the region and says that, even if they all fail, God is still worthy of praise. That is the true heart of faith.
What It Means
Life can be downright depressing at times. Habakkuk pleaded for God to rebuke the wickedness of his countrymen, but he became disheartened when he found out that the judgment would come in the form of Babylon’s invasion of Judah. This is the very core of disappointment—you expect something that will improve your circumstances, but you receive something that makes your situation worse.
Habakkuk didn’t understand God’s ways, but he still trusted in God’s wisdom. “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength” (Hab. 3:18–19). This is what you must do as well, even when God’s answer to your prayers isn’t what you were hoping for. Trust Him, because He knows exactly what He is doing.
Life Examples
Read Psalm 73:1–12. When have you doubted God because you saw someone else prospering in a manner that you’ve longed for?
Read Psalm 73:13–17. Have you ever been tempted to give up out of discouragement? If so, what brought you back into fellowship with God?
Read Psalm 73:21–28. As a believer, what do you have to rely on when all else fails? How can remembering this keep you from becoming discouraged?
Living the Principle
How do you respond when disappointments come your way? Do you become angry, frustrated, and disheartened? Or do you say, “Lord, I may not know why You allowed this, but I trust You anyway, knowing that Your best for my life is still ahead.” If you respond with discouragement and resentment, you will begin a downhill slide away from God’s purpose for your life. However, if you respond with trust and praise, it will build your faith and bring you closer to the Lord.
Whenever you face disappointments, remember that your situation is in His hand and under His sovereign control. Meditate on the fact that He loves you unconditionally and is providing His very best for you. Recall the blessings that He has already given you. No matter what disappointments come into your life, you can use them as stepping-stones to greater faith. Instead of becoming discouraged, you’ll be filled with His courage, and there’s nothing more encouraging than that.
*** The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (see Deut. 31:8)
How will you live out Life Principle 20 this week? Discuss the disappointments that you’ve experienced recently and how you can turn them to your advantage by trusting God. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Life often doesn’t turn out the way that you think it should. Opportunities that you were counting on don’t turn out the way that you thought they would. People that you thought you could depend on end up letting you down. Even the plans and expectations that you designed for yourself have been frustrated. It’s all very disappointing.
What hopes do you have for your life? What opportunities, relationships, or situations are you constantly reaching for? It is human nature to have hopes—they motivate you and keep you striving for the best. Unfortunately, your expectations can also disappoint you terribly if they don’t come true. During those times of disillusionment, the most important thing for you to remember is Life Principle 20: Disappointments are inevitable; discouragement is a choice. Will you allow your disappointments to dishearten you? Will you allow them to impede you from becoming everything that God created you to be? It’s your decision, so choose wisely.
*** The prophet Habakkuk ministered in Judah c. 612 BC to 588 BC, before and during the Babylonian invasion.
What the Bible Says
Read Zephaniah 1:2–6. What was happening in Judah before the Babylonians invaded?
Read Habakkuk 1:1–6. What was Habakkuk’s reaction to the idolatry, immorality, and injustice that he saw daily in his nation? What was God’s response to Habakkuk (5–6).
Read Habakkuk 2:2–4. Why does God tell Habakkuk to write down His judgment concerning Babylon (2–3)?
What is God’s admonition to Habakkuk in verse 4?
Read Habakkuk 3:17–19. How does Habakkuk respond to God?
*** The people of Judah were serving fertility gods—the basis for their idolatry was to increase their crops and prosperity. Habakkuk names all of the major crops of the region and says that, even if they all fail, God is still worthy of praise. That is the true heart of faith.
What It Means
Life can be downright depressing at times. Habakkuk pleaded for God to rebuke the wickedness of his countrymen, but he became disheartened when he found out that the judgment would come in the form of Babylon’s invasion of Judah. This is the very core of disappointment—you expect something that will improve your circumstances, but you receive something that makes your situation worse.
Habakkuk didn’t understand God’s ways, but he still trusted in God’s wisdom. “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength” (Hab. 3:18–19). This is what you must do as well, even when God’s answer to your prayers isn’t what you were hoping for. Trust Him, because He knows exactly what He is doing.
Life Examples
Read Psalm 73:1–12. When have you doubted God because you saw someone else prospering in a manner that you’ve longed for?
Read Psalm 73:13–17. Have you ever been tempted to give up out of discouragement? If so, what brought you back into fellowship with God?
Read Psalm 73:21–28. As a believer, what do you have to rely on when all else fails? How can remembering this keep you from becoming discouraged?
Living the Principle
How do you respond when disappointments come your way? Do you become angry, frustrated, and disheartened? Or do you say, “Lord, I may not know why You allowed this, but I trust You anyway, knowing that Your best for my life is still ahead.” If you respond with discouragement and resentment, you will begin a downhill slide away from God’s purpose for your life. However, if you respond with trust and praise, it will build your faith and bring you closer to the Lord.
Whenever you face disappointments, remember that your situation is in His hand and under His sovereign control. Meditate on the fact that He loves you unconditionally and is providing His very best for you. Recall the blessings that He has already given you. No matter what disappointments come into your life, you can use them as stepping-stones to greater faith. Instead of becoming discouraged, you’ll be filled with His courage, and there’s nothing more encouraging than that.
*** The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (see Deut. 31:8)
How will you live out Life Principle 20 this week? Discuss the disappointments that you’ve experienced recently and how you can turn them to your advantage by trusting God. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- God has a unique plan for your life that is not changed by unexpected circumstances (see Isa. 41:9–10).
- Whenever a situation arises that does not line up with your understanding of God’s will, you must stop and look to Him for direction (see Ps. 32:8).
- God holds your future in His hands, and you will never lose by looking forward to what He has in store (see Phil. 3:13–14).