How to Rebound from Disappointment

Ways to Bounce Back and Move Forward

To rebound is to bounce back after hitting a hard surface or object. It also means to recover from a loss or disappointment.

In basketball, a rebound is when a player gains possession of the ball off the backboard or rim after an unsuccessful shot. Successful rebounds have changed the outcome of many games.

I have been at basketball games where the score is tied with only a minute left in the game. A player stands at the free-throw line. He aims for the basket, shoots and misses. The ball bounces off the backboard and is up for grabs. My team gets possession of the ball, runs down the court, shoots a three-pointer, and scores. Wow! Wins the game!

Friends, never get stuck in disappointment. With the right attitude and persistence, you too can bounce back and win.

What Not to Do When Disappointed

Disappointment is a feeling of sadness, sorrow, despair, or even displeasure when things don’t go as we desire or expect.

A story in the Bible comes to mind. Rachel was one of two sisters whom Jacob married. (Remember, Jacob worked seven years for His uncle Laban to obtain Rachel as his wife. But his uncle hoodwinked him into first marrying Rachel’s older sister Leah. Jacob then worked seven more years to obtain Rachel.)

Rachel was barren. Leah was fertile and bore Jacob six sons and one daughter to Rachel’s zero. Rachel was understandably very disappointed.

But one day, Rachel made the mistake of projecting her disappointment onto her husband. The Scripture says, “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die” (Gen. 30:1).

God remembered Rachel and opened her womb. Rachel conceived and bore her first son Joseph. However, Rachel died giving birth to her second son Benjamin.

Moral of this story: Don’t get stuck in disappointment. And never say you’ll die if things don’t turn around. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Prov 18:21). And you are in control of what you say.

How to Rebound from Disappointment

As humans, we all experience varying degrees of disappointment. Perhaps it was getting a low score on an important test. Maybe it was failing to land a much-desired job. Perhaps when you found out your spouse’s dream no longer includes you.

We must remember that disappointment does not last forever. And when you put disappointment in perspective, it is a mere sentence or two in the otherwise fabulous book of your life.

So, if you suffer from disappointment, here are four ways to bounce back from disappointment and win.

1. Find renewed hope in God to rebound from disappointment

The key to bouncing back from disappointment is to have new hope in God. Christ is our continual joy and living hope for today and the future. He is our expectation for righting wrongs, fulfilling promises, restoring losses.

“Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”—1 Pet 5:7

2. Frame each day with the Word of God

Live in the Word and let the Word live in you!

God’s Word gives His winning perspective on everything. Believe it and speak it every day to rule your world and turn negative situations around.

3. Encourage yourself in the Lord to rebound from disappointment

You must encourage and strengthen yourself in the Lord until you are full of hope and courage. Daily thank the Lord for all the good things in your life.

4. Move forward in faith

1. Forget things behind.
2. Forgive those you feel have disappointed you (including yourself).
3. Figure out at least one positive thing you can learn from an otherwise disappointing experience.
4. Forge ahead in faith in God and His plan for your life.

So, don’t sit down in disappointment. Rise, and win again.

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What kind of disappointment have you dealt with and what did you learn from it? Please feel free to post your comments.

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