Christmas is my favorite time of year. The sights, the smells, the sounds—it all brings joy and warmth to my heart. It's a time of celebration, family, and tradition. But for many, the holiday season can also bring feelings of disappointment, especially when life doesn't go as planned. Maybe this season doesn't look the way you imagined it would. I know for me, there were years when Christmas felt harder than usual, and it was during those times that God taught me some of the most valuable lessons about faith, trust, and His perfect timing.
I want to talk to those of you who are feeling disappointed. Maybe life hasn’t unfolded the way you hoped, and you’re carrying the weight of unmet expectations. You’re not alone. I’ve been there too. In fact, I remember a time in my life when I prayed and prayed for children, yet those prayers seemed unanswered. It was a Christmas where I was surrounded by love, but my heart felt heavy because I was still waiting. Yet, it was in those moments of waiting and disappointment that I learned to trust God’s plan over my own.
In today’s blog, I want to share how we can navigate disappointment through the story of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Joseph’s journey is one that shows us how, sometimes, God’s plan interrupts our own. And when that happens, we’re invited to trust that His greater purpose is just beginning to unfold.
The Reality of Disappointment
In Matthew 1:18-19, we meet Joseph, a man who had his whole future planned out. He was engaged to Mary, the woman he loved, and was ready to begin a life with her. But everything changed when he found out that Mary was pregnant, and the child wasn’t his. Talk about disappointment!
Joseph was devastated. This was not how he envisioned his life unfolding. The plans he had made were disrupted, and he faced the shock, confusion, and anger that often accompanies disappointment.
I imagine that some of you can relate. Perhaps you’re walking through a season where life doesn’t look like you thought it would. Maybe dreams are slipping through your fingers, or you feel like everything you’ve worked toward is falling apart. I want to remind you that God is big enough to handle your disappointment. He can handle your hurt, confusion, and fear. It’s okay to be honest with God about where you are, just like Joseph was.
Trusting God’s Plan Through Disruption
Joseph had a choice to make. He could have chosen anger, judgment, or rejection when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy. But instead, he chose mercy. He didn’t want to expose her to public disgrace. He chose grace over judgment. This is a lesson we can all learn from Joseph.
When life disrupts our plans, we can choose to react with mercy and kindness. The world may tell you to hold onto your anger, but Jesus calls us to extend grace, even when it’s hard. When Joseph chose mercy, he was opening the door to God’s greater plan.
In Matthew 1:20-21, God steps in and reassures Joseph through an angel: “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Joseph learns that this child is not a disappointment; this child is the Savior of the world. God’s plan was greater than Joseph’s, and it was only through his obedience that the story of Jesus’ birth could unfold.
Obedience in the Face of Uncertainty
Joseph could have turned away, thinking his plans were better than God’s. But instead, he chose to obey. He took Mary as his wife and played a key role in God’s redemptive story. Joseph didn’t have all the answers. He didn’t know what people would say or how his life would change. But he obeyed, trusting that God’s plan was far greater than his own.
This is where I find my encouragement. Sometimes, the greatest growth comes when we choose to walk in obedience, even when we don’t fully understand the path ahead. Trusting God’s plan doesn’t mean everything will make sense right away. It means we trust that God has something far better waiting for us on the other side of our disappointment.
A Mercy Christmas
As we reflect on the story of Jesus, let us remember that He came into a world full of disappointment, pain, and disruption. Yet, through His life, death, and resurrection, He showed us the greatest mercy of all. This Christmas, I challenge you to choose mercy, just as Joseph did.
What would it look like if we embraced a "Mercy Christmas" instead of just a "Merry Christmas"? What if we allowed the disappointment in our lives to lead us to a deeper trust in God and a greater ability to show mercy to those around us?
When we choose mercy, we reflect the heart of Jesus. We remember that God sent His Son to us, not to remove our disappointments, but to show us that there’s more to the story. There’s a greater purpose, even in our pain and struggles.
Trusting the Door of Disappointment
I want to leave you with this thought: sometimes, God allows our plans to fall apart so that His perfect plan can unfold. Joseph’s disappointment opened the door to the greatest story ever told—the birth of Jesus Christ. What if, through your disappointment, God is opening a door to something greater than you ever imagined?
I believe that when we trust God with our disappointments, we step into a new level of faith and obedience. And in doing so, we open the door to God’s redemptive plan in our lives.
As you move through this holiday season, I encourage you to reflect on the disappointments you’ve faced. Take a moment to offer them to God, trusting that He is working in the midst of it all. Just like Joseph, your obedience matters. Your willingness to trust God through the disruptions of life can lead to a future far greater than you ever expected.
Merry Christmas, friends. May this season be filled with the peace, mercy, and hope that only Jesus can bring.
Prayer:
God, we thank You for the example of Joseph and the lessons he teaches us about trust, mercy, and obedience. Help us to walk in faith even when things don’t go as planned. We offer our disappointments to You, trusting that Your greater plan is unfolding in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.