Many people either stop following Jesus, or get stuck, out of disappointment. For a multitude of reasons, people’s expectations aren’t met and they conclude that it just isn’t worth it. This occurs in every area of life. Disappointment is often the ruin of relationships, careers, businesses, and many other endeavors.
Disappointment is “sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.” To be a bit of a word nerd, “appoint” originates from the meaning “to the point,” also meaning “to fix, declare or decree authoritatively,” and “to ordain, nominate or establish.” So to DIS-appoint means missing the point, breaking or denouncing something, losing authority and purpose. So the negative emotions that come with disappointment are natural and should be expected. But here’s the twist—few things in life come without pain, setback, and times of disappointment.
Often the willingness to press through disappointment proves one to be able to carry the appointment they were given. And when it comes to following Jesus, this is certainly true. Jesus never led anyone in a sinner’s prayer or had them recite a creed. He simply called individuals to follow Him. They followed Him as He taught and performed miracles. But they also followed Him to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was overcome with grief to the point of sweating blood. Then He went to the cross and died, having earlier said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26.) And many of Jesus' followers did suffer martyrdom, and still do in our day.
This week we celebrate Easter, the Resurrection. But we must remember that without suffering and death there is no resurrection. Jesus had to suffer on the cross, die, and be buried before He rose on the third day. Likewise, following Christ is an appointment with suffering and even martyrdom—even if we are not persecuted and killed for our faith, we fulfill this calling when we remain faithful unto death. This means we don’t give up. Success is remaining faithful, not attaining any worldly achievement or status. Although, when you overcome disappointment and discover courage, you likely will live a successful life.