Isolation Side Effect: Disappointment

Circumstances will be different for each of us in isolation depending on our illnesses and needs, but something we all face is disappointment.

If you know me personally, you know that I am a planner. My brain thinks in details and plans everything out. While I love spontaneity occasionally, I thrive in consistency day to day. Dependability is important to me, both in myself and others. With a chronic illness, dependability isn't possible. For me, even the best laid plans can be set aside, last minute due to someone having even a small sign of illness, non-lung-friendly weather, or just waking up to find out it is a chronic illness day. It doesn't matter if it is some fun activity planned with family or a ministry I wanted to participate in. Disappointment. Over and over again. Other people take these things for granted. We cannot.

Yet, chronic illness teaches you that in a new way and not only through changed plans. There is also the disappointment in others. Yes, I said that. It is easy to be disappointed in them when:

• they don't seem to understand what you are going through.
• they have to cancel on promised help at the last minute. 
• they are distracted.
• they forget about you when you are going through a hard time.
• they seem to have it all when you fight for every bit you have whether materially, physically, emotionally or whatever.

The list goes on. And, may I dare say, sometimes we are disappointed in God. Why? 

• Why doesn't He end this?
• Why doesn't He help?
• Why doesn't He hear my pleas?
• Why isn't He answering?

These times are hard. That is an understatement. How do we handle this? There are no easy answers. I must admit that I still struggle in this way. I have found that if I don't quickly handle isolation, my thoughts can take over and bitterness can quickly set in.

Here are some verses that can help shift our focus from the disappointment back to God. Please know that they are not given "glibly" or as an "easy fix." I still struggle and have to fight through these things often. Here are some Scriptures that have helped me in these times:

• Proverbs 16:9 
• Philippians 4
  
• Isaiah 55 Great promises and reminders!
  
• Hebrews 12:15
  
• Hebrews 13:15
  

I hope these will be a help. There are so many others that remind me that God is in control in control, that His thoughts are higher than mine, that I must look to God instead of people, and that I have to learn to be content. Disappointment of all forms is hard. We cannot fight it on our own, but need His help. 

What are some of the things you have done to remind you of His promises during disappointment? Churches, how can you reach out to assist isolated people with disappointment? We would love to hear your thoughts. Please share in the comments below.