I read the email only once because my heart couldn’t handle a second read through. “Thank you for your interest in working for our company. However, we have gone in another direction.”
What direction? I wanted to ask. I was perfect for that job, having met all qualifications and impressed all interviewers with my answers. It was the opportunity that I had prayed for.
For the next few days, I went through the various phases of disappointment. At first, I cried grief tears for not being chosen for my dream job. I questioned God and then waited. I replayed the interview in my head for a few days. Then I paused at the memory of a detail that was mentioned during the interview. Something I downplayed because I didn’t think it was a big deal.
“This is not a 40-hour workweek position. You will be expected to meet tight deadlines and work weekends if necessary.”
The excitement of making it to the final round of interviews gave way to confidence that I could still squeeze the rest of my life into fewer hours. I hadn’t thought about the consequences of sacrificing my weekends normally spent with family, friends, and ministry. Then I saw what God saw. On the other side of my disappointment was God’s protection.
It wasn’t the first-time disappointment led me to endless nights of tears and questioning God’s decisions. He had previously said no to a relationship with a man who was harboring a secret sin that would have broken my heart. He had said no to signing a contract on a financial investment that was tied to dishonest strings and would have scammed me out of thousands of dollars.
It was no surprise then when I could finally see that the job I desired would have robbed Him of our sweet mornings together, placed my ministry projects on hold, and left my family with a burned out version of me. His “no’s” were His love and protection over my heart, my relationship with Him, my family, and the financial provision He established for me.
Disappointment is part of life, but so is the promise God gives us in Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Love and Purpose. I love how God intertwined those words in this verse.
It is because of His love for us He will say no to the things that don’t serve His purpose for us. He will not say yes to anything that would harm us or mis-align our paths with His purpose. Even if they seem to line up with His will.
The next time disappointment rises for not receiving what we think we deserve, and it leaves us sad, angry, or heartbroken; remember that He is loving and faithful. If we draw closer to Him during those moments, we’ll see that on the other side of disappointment is His love for us.