Today was a very upsetting and disappointing day for me. A few days ago I went in for a job
interview that I’ve desired for a while. The interview went very well. The recruiters and managers
seemed very excited to have me a part of the team. I received an email first thing this morning
letting me know I did not get the job. I was highly disappointed and immediately questioned my
worth. With my history with anxiety and depression, I felt an episode coming on. I cried in prayer
and asked God why I was set up to believe I was perfect for this role. I felt deceived.
Now, I’ve made a lot of progress with managing my emotions so I knew I had to pull myself out
of this funk before it got too reckless. This leads me to my topic today, “finding balance after
disappointment”.
Processing Disappointment in a Healthy Way
Many people try to push past disappointment too quickly, either by distracting themselves or
pretending it doesn’t hurt. But ignoring your emotions only prolongs the stress. Give yourself
permission to feel. Whether it’s sadness, frustration, or even anger; name your emotions and sit
with them for a moment instead of brushing them aside. You’re human, you’re supposed to feel
these emotions!
One of the most powerful ways to process disappointment is through prayer. God already knows
what’s on your heart, so be real with Him. Express your pain, your confusion, and even your
frustration. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit.” Knowing that God is near can bring comfort and peace even when
circumstances feel unfair.
Reframing the Situation: Shifting Your Mindset After Disappointment
It’s easy to internalize setbacks, thinking they reflect your worth or abilities. But just because
something didn’t go as planned doesn’t mean you’re a failure. God’s plan for you is bigger than
any single moment of disappointment. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have
for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.”
Instead of saying, “I wasn’t good enough,” try saying, “This wasn’t the right opportunity for me.”
Instead of thinking, “I wasted my time,” tell yourself, “I gained experience that will help me later.”
Words shape our reality, so choose to speak life over your situation.
Creating a Forward-Focused Plan: Regaining Momentum After Disappointment
After disappointment, it’s tempting to either shut down or push yourself too hard to “make up” for
lost time. Instead of overwhelming yourself, focus on small, manageable goals that help you
rebuild momentum.
Ask yourself:
- What’s one small step I can take today?
- What’s a realistic goal for this week?
- How can I stay consistent without overloading myself?
For example, if you faced disappointment in your career, instead of saying, “I have to land my
dream job immediately,” set a goal to improve your resume, network with someone in your field,
or learn a new skill. Small wins build confidence and keep you moving forward.
While it’s important to set goals, leave room for God to guide your steps. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In
their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Disappointment
often comes from unmet expectations, so instead of obsessing over a rigid plan, focus on being
adaptable.
Consider these questions: - Are there other paths I haven’t considered?
- What doors might be opening instead of the one that closed?
- How can I remain open to God’s direction?
A flexible plan keeps you moving forward while allowing space for better opportunities to come
your way.
Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to control your emotions or define
your future. By processing your feelings in a healthy way, shifting your mindset, incorporating
stress-relief practices, and creating a forward-focused plan, you can restore balance and regain
peace.
Every setback holds an opportunity for growth, whether it’s strengthening your faith, refining
your goals, or deepening your resilience. Rather than letting stress and discouragement take
over, choose to trust God’s timing, learn from the experience, and move forward with renewed
purpose.