Remember how if felt the time something important to you did not work out in the fabulous way you just knew it would?

Feelings of disappointment, frustration, and bewilderment arise. All we can see is that our situation did not turn out how we thought was best.

With our vantage point, we view our circumstances at a human’s eye level, with restricted perception, using self-centered descriptors. No wonder it is hard for us to grapple with disappointing outcomes! Even when we think we are submitted to following God’s direction we may feel confused.

Consider the disciples. They had followed Jesus as their rabbi for three years, day in and day out, learning from him and striving to imitate him in their service to God.

On Jesus’ final trip to Jerusalem, his greatness was celebrated in anticipation of political kingship – the prophesied King of the Jews! That view sure changed by the end of the week. The disciples wondered how Jesus, with whom they were so close, could be the Messiah and yet die on a cross and be buried in a tomb. It seemed so final.

The disciples were left to wrestle with their emotions. They had memorized the prophetic words about the Messiah and Jesus spoke to them about what was to come. But in the actual moments, it was incomprehensible. From their perspective, things were not working out how they just knew it should!

Thankfully, very thankfully, in the gift of God’s Word we can succinctly read accounts of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. We do not need to wait in angst, as the disciples did, to learn what happened.

Like them, though, we do sometimes experience situations that do not turn out how we anticipate. We may question God’s choice of plans, because we cannot see his present weaving of circumstances nor comprehend his timing of events. Being on this side of the resurrection, however, allows us to confidently focus on our omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent Savior – shifting our shaky perspective off of ourselves.

We know that God is faithful and he is in control. We can give over our concerns to him and trust him to work for our good and his glory, even if we do not understand what we see.

We can follow God and in confidence let him lead.

On Good Friday, take a few minutes to watch to the brief yet powerful message by SM Lockridge, ‘It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.’ Then, on Easter Sunday, listen to the joyful climax of his message, ‘That’s My King!’ You won’t be disappointed!

To help you focus daily on God’s character, consider working through Follow and Lead.