Dealing with Disappointment: When Hep C Treatment Doesn’t Work, Part 3

We are shown great inspiration and courage all through scripture on dealing with disappointment and despair when we’ve received a crushing blow.

In Max Lucado’s book, "Fearless," he gives an excellent example of how to handle disappointment, and despair. He tells about the passage in Luke 8:40-56, in which Jarius, a ruler in the synagogue came and fell at Jesus feet, pleading with him to come to his house and help his daughter who was dying. A messenger came to Jarius and told him his daughter was dead.

When Jesus heard what happened, he said to Jarius, ’Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed’"

Jarius whipsawed between the contrasting messages. The first, from the servants: “Your daughter is dead.” The second, from Jesus: “Don’t be afraid.”  Horror called from one side. Hope compelled from the other. Tragedy, then trust. Jarius heard two voices and had to choose which one he would heed.

Don’t we all?

We have to make choices every day of which voice to heed. Despair or Belief?  (Way to go Max! You hit the nail on the head.)

How do we deal with disappointment when treatment doesn’t work, when we hold our breath with the next blood test, when despair knocks at our door?

Mr. Fix-It told me a story he said, “Birds can fly above your head but you don’t have to let them make a nest in your hair.” Maybe it’s just my southern fixation with phrases, but that makes a whole lot of sense.

Let David’s words ring in our ears and be on our lips, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”  Psalm 42:5

Disappointment is a normal and natural emotion we all face.  But we have the choice not to allow it become more than what it is. No nest building with despair and worry here. I pray that we will stand together in prayer and support of each other as Warriors no matter what we face.

And our fellow Hep C Warrior who  received disappointing news, here is what she recently said, "Good news effects us all. =) Praise Him! And sad news effects us all. Have to Praise Him in that as well!

I am driven not to worry, because I know it is a waste of time.   God wants us to dwell on lovely things and not on discouraging things. I try to laugh everyday, it brings joy to my soul."

Now there is a Warrior who is moving forward in Faith & Trust, even through the tears, the Son is in her eyes. May we all walk in Faith and the Son be in our eyes as well.