Ang lakas na pangako mo, upang ako ay mabuhay, ibigay mo’t ang pag-asa ko ay hindi mapaparam.  

Awit 119:116

Walang sinuman ang ligtas sa disappointments. Bata, matanda, babae, lalaki ay nabibigo. Even toddlers experience this early in life. They try to make that next step to get that toy, but then their wobbly legs fail, and they fall. Ang batang umaasang makakapasyal sa arcade pero umulan. Si teenager na makakausap sana si crush but then iba ang gustong maka-chat ni crush. Si mommy na gustong maka-avail ng piso sale ng airlines pero nag-down ang system. At si campus missionary na nag-effort mag-prepare ng games and interesting topic para sa kanyang outreach pero walang estudyanteng sumipot sa kabila ng kanyang text brigade.

Nobody yearns for unmet expectations, sudden twists, and abrupt turns. Nobody wants rain on their parade. Gusto natin, we know what to expect. We want that sense of control. Surprises are fun, but not all the time. Lalo na if the consequence is something that’s the exact opposite of what we prefer.

And because disappointments are inevitable, ang magagawa natin ay tanggapin ito at ayusin ang ating reaction towards it. Una, isipin kung ano nga ba ang gustong ituro ni God sa atin in this situation. Instead of questioning God, let’s try not to dwell on the bad feeling. Because sometimes, disappointments are just delays. Maybe God is telling you to wait. Sometimes, ang mga plot twist na ito sa buhay natin ay paraan para ibaling natin ang ating focus on what matters more. Maybe we are set on pursuing the wrong things, and God wants us to adjust, set our pace, and motivate us to get to know Him more and His will. Remember, hindi dead-end ang pagkabigo.