You have prayed about it. You have worked for it. And when it does not happen, disappointment can bring a question we may hesitate to say aloud: After everything I have done, why would God let this happen?
The pain may be real. But beneath it, there may also be an expectation we have never examined. Did God promise this particular outcome, or have we begun to feel that our faithfulness should guarantee it?
Moses warned Israel about what could happen when life became comfortable. In Deuteronomy chapter eight, verse seventeen, he warned them against crediting their own power for their wealth.
We can recognize our hard work and still forget how much we have received. From there, it is a small step to believing we deserve to keep every blessing. Even our obedience can become something we expect God to repay on our terms.
We can bring our disappointment honestly to God. Then we can ask: What did I believe I was owed? Is that expectation grounded in His promise?
If someone else receives an opportunity we wanted, gratitude can help us wish them well and continue serving faithfully. That response takes humility, especially when we still feel the hurt.
The expectation beneath our disappointment may be where we need to begin.
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