How do you handle disappointment? 1 Chronicles 15-19

1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (NASBStr)

David’s Prayer in Response

 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord and said, “ Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? This was a small thing in Your eyes, O God; but You have spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the standard of a man of high degree, O Lord God.

How you handle disappointment may say as much about your character and faith in God than any other human experience.   In the above passage David had the thought to build a temple for God.  He had just brought The Ark back to Jerusalem and had a great celebration service.  As with most of us, when we have a great time of worship with God, we want to do more for Him.   David went back to his home (should we say, "castle") and that is where the idea struck him ... build a Temple for God, better than the home he had for himself (17:1-2).  But, God said, "no."   With what we read here and other places, we see that because of David's "warring" and "bloody hands" he was not allowed to do this great work for God.   HIs vision was grand and righteous but his life did not support his aspirations.   God said, "NO!"   This, however, is how you handle disappointment.   God knows what He is doing and we ought to demonstrate it by showing praise when He says no to something.  David recognized God's mercy in his life, despite the answer of no.   He didn't pout.  He didn't stew.  He didn't try to defend his life.  He didn't keep asking, over and over.  He simply did what he could (we will see later that even though he can't build it, he could still gather the material and plans for his son, who would build it).   When God says no we need to know that God has a plan.  His plan is better than ours.   We ought to simply trust and express praise for the mercy God has shown us.   Grand thoughts for God are not sin.   Pushing against God's will to accomplish those grand thoughts is sin.   Rejoice in God's answers to our requests, even when we don't understand.   He knows better than we do.   Handle disappointment in the same manner you handle victory in Christ .. in Faith!!