The definition of disappointing is to fail to fulfil hopes or expectations. Sometimes we place our expectations on other people and are disappointed when they don’t behave in the way we think that they should. And sometimes we are disappointed in ourselves when we don’t live up to our own expectations. But, is God ever disappointed in us?
Fear of Disappointing God
Can we disappoint God? We certainly can be controlled by the fear of disappointing God, which will hold us back and limit our experiences. Jesus came to give us abundant life, that is life to the full. This is with the ability to embrace all that God has given us and to make the most of every opportunity set before us.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10
But sometimes even talking of abundant life, rather than encouraging us, starts to weigh us down with expectation. It is so easy to view God in our own image and expect Him to behave in the same way that we do – placing our expectations on other people and on ourselves.
We forget that our relationship with God has nothing whatsoever to do with our performance. There is nothing that we can do to earn His love. And God knows that we cannot do anything to change or to save ourselves – which is why He sent Jesus!
God has provided all that we need to become children of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ His Son. With Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, we are released from fear into the freedom of God’s grace. The wide-open space where God intentionally moves towards us, reaches out, and demonstrates how much He loves us.
God’s love for us, is far greater than our ability to comprehend His love.
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Can We Disappoint God?
I know when I went through a tough season in life, where we were struggling financially and emotionally, due to long-term illness, I clung to certain Scriptures. I kept praying and holding on to the promises of God. But I know in that season I also had many moments of doubts, fears, and even self-pity. I wasn’t as strong, or as together, as I thought I would be!
Often it is not, can we disappoint God, but more that we disappoint ourselves. Sometimes facing regret and disappointment in our own behavior is a humbling experience.
The apostle Peter was someone who learned to place his confidence in God and not in his own ability. Peter demonstrated many moments of great faith, but also of messing up in a big way!
Peter was the one who first recognized who Jesus was but then tried to tell Jesus what to do. Then he was the one who tried to do what Jesus was doing – walking on the water! Peter was also the one who vowed, if everyone else left Jesus, he would never desert Him. But Jesus knew that Peter would disown Him, not once but three times…..
After His resurrection the Lord met Peter again on the seashore and graciously gave him the opportunity to move on from his mistakes. There was no recrimination from the Lord, no reproach or condemnation. Jesus looked straight into Peter’s heart and the only question he asked of him was, “Do you love me, Peter?”
The Lord knew the answer, but He was giving Peter the opportunity to leave regret and disappointment behind. Jesus wanted Peter to reaffirm his commitment and to know full restoration.
What to Do When You Feel Like You Have Disappointed God!
There are times when we may question is God ever disappointed in us? Have I disappointed Him? But the reality is we are disappointed in ourselves. We may even weep bitterly. As we come to terms with our own actions we need to create a time and a space, to meet with the Lord.
In God’s presence, we can repent, receive forgiveness, and know the peace of restoration. No matter how we have messed up it is possible to move on from regret and disappointment with a new dependency on God. We can leave our mistakes behind and step forward boldly to become the fullness of who God has created us to be!
Some 35 years after Jesus’ death, the apostle Peter passed on what he had learned by experience. He shared Spirit-filled words of inspiration and encouragement that we might grow into a new maturity in our faith:
“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.”
2 Peter 1:5-9 MSG
Is God Ever Disappointed in Us? 3 Powerful Truths To Remember
God Knows Us Fully
Can we disappoint God? No, for God is Omniscient, simply meaning ‘all-knowing.’ He sees us as we truly are, and He loves us. God demonstrated His love in that ‘while we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ God sees and knows all of our past, our present state, and our future choices, and loves us in and through it all.
God Loves Us Unconditionally
Is God ever disappointed in us? No, we cannot measure, or contain, the never-ending love that the Lord has for us. There is nothing that we can do to make Him love us more. God sent Jesus, His Son, to reconcile us to Himself, so that we might become part of the family of God. We are known and loved, personally and individually by our Heavenly Father.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1
God Forgives Us Completely
When we love the Lord, it is natural to want to please Him. We want our behavior to reflect our position as a deeply loved child of God. Sometimes we may be disappointed in ourselves and regret the way we have behaved, the things we have done or not done! But God’s love for us does not change.
Because of God’s great love, we can be assured of full forgiveness and restoration. God is never disappointed in us, His love is all-encompassing. God’s compassion towards His people never fails. As we receive a fresh revelation of His mercy and grace, we can leave the past behind. We can reaffirm our love and commitment to the Lord – just as in Jesus’ words to Peter.
"Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you" John 21:17
Then we can move forward, to build on what we have been given, and see the possibilities of a new day with the Lord Jesus!
Related Post: What Does ‘Worthy of Your Calling’ Mean?
Great is His faithfulness! Thank you for the encouragement.
Thank you for your response, so insightful!
So true, and so good that we have the witness of Jesus’ restoration of Peter to assure us of His unfailing love – we are so blessed! ????