At some point, we all experience moments where it feels like God hasn’t shown up the way we expected. We pray, trust and do everything right, only to see no change. You may have prayed for healing, but the sickness didn’t go away. You believed for a breakthrough, but the job never materialized. Despite your faithfulness, God seems silent. You might even find yourself asking, “God, where are You?”
You’re not alone. Even John the Baptist, one of the greatest figures in faith, struggled with disappointment when Jesus didn’t meet his expectations. In Matthew 11:2–3, John, who had boldly declared Jesus as the Lamb of God, now sat in prison wondering if he had misunderstood everything. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the one who is to come, or
should we look for another?” John had done everything right—obeyed God’s call, spoken truth and made personal sacrifices— but found himself in a place of confusion and disappointment. This highlights a crucial point: disappointment can touch even the most devoted believers. Being faithful doesn’t mean life will always go as we expect. Even the most devoted face moments of doubt when things don’t turn out as hoped.
Disappointment sets in when there’s a gap between our expectations and experience. We expect one thing, but reality falls short. We wonder, “Is God still in control? Is He still good?” The key is recognizing that even when things don’t go the way we imagined, God is still working behind the scenes and is ultimately in control.
Jesus didn’t rebuke John for his doubts. Instead, He pointed John to the evidence of His works—the blind received sight, the lame walked and the dead were raised. Jesus reminded John to look at the signs happening around him. Even though Jesus wasn’t meeting John’s personal expectations, He was fulfilling the promises of Scripture.
When disappointment clouds our vision, it’s vital to return to what we know for sure: God’s Word and His faithfulness. Psalm 34:18 says “The Lord is nigh unto them that are
of a broken heart.” Even when it feels like He’s distant, He’s right there with us. Disappointment might not immediately change our circumstances, but it can deepen our trust in a God who is always working, even when we can’t see it.
True faith isn’t about understanding everything— it’s about trust.
There will be times when God’s actions don’t make sense to us, but faith is choosing to trust in Him regardless of our understanding. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to “ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”.
When everything inside us says “give up,” faith says, “Blessed is the one who holds on.”
John’s doubts didn’t disqualify him from God’s love. In fact, Jesus commended him, saying there was no one greater than John among those born of women (Matthew 11:11). Your honesty in the midst of disappointment doesn’t diminish your worth in His eyes.
Jesus didn’t release John from prison, but He gave him peace while he was still there. God may not deliver us from hardship right away, but He promises His presence. Disappointment can either push us away from God or draw us closer to Him. Psalm 34:18 says, “ The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,” and when we lean into Him in our pain, we find peace that surpasses understanding.
If you’ve been disappointed by God, you’re not alone. John the Baptist, Job, David and many others faced similar struggles. But they didn’t walk away. Even when they couldn’t understand God’s actions, they chose to keep trusting. When God is silent, it doesn’t mean He’s absent. When He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, it doesn’t mean He doesn’t care.
If you’re struggling with disappointment today, don’t let it drive you away from God. Let it draw you closer. God’s mercies are new every morning, and His love never fails. “The Lord is my portion; therefore will I hope in Him” (Lamentations 3:24). Even in your disappointment, let it become an opportunity to grow closer to the One who loves you most.
