Second in our series about different types of disappointment is: when you’re disappointed in leaders. As the high priest in Israel, Eli is someone you'd assume could be trusted. That’s what Samuel’s mother thought when she entrusted her son to him. She was confident that Eli would mentor him for God’s service. But Eli had a serious character flaw. He was a weak parent. He did nothing to check his sons when they abused their priestly privileges, took bribes, and got involved with prostitutes. Nobody would have blamed young Samuel for stumbling, when the man he looked up to failed so badly. But that didn't happen. Instead, Samuel kept his eyes on God: ‘Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him’ (1 Samuel 3:19 KJV). And he became one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

The way to handle disappointment in your leader is to keep your eyes fixed on God. Third, when you’re disappointed in your family. When God gave Joseph a vision of future success, he thought his brothers would be happy and celebrate with him. Instead they responded with resentment, and sold him into slavery. Far from friends and home, he languished in prison for years for a crime he didn’t commit. In the same circumstances, we might treat it as an invitation to bitterness, going over the wrongs that had been done to us while plotting our revenge. But Joseph allowed God to restore him and bring him justice. And God will do the same for us. ‘No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ (Isaiah 54:17 NLT).

What Now?

Pray for any leaders you can think of, especially if they have an influence on your life.