When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

John the Baptist’s question to Jesus from jail illustrates how our faith could wane very quickly when we become disillusioned (Matt. 11:1-6). He had been jailed for criticizing King Herod for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife (Matt. 14:3-4). John may have expected Jesus’ intervention that wasn’t happening. Over time, doubt, the insidious intruder in the mind, may have surprised his conviction of Jesus as the Messiah with disappointment. The man who identified Jesus as the Lamb of God, now begged for a reason to believe. That’s how cruel expectations could become when our hopes get dashed.

It happens to many of us in different situations. The young couple who couldn’t spend an hour without a call or text message from each other, now position themselves for a fierce divorce battle. A promising job one has ever desired, now threatens the very good life the person aspired for. A ministry that flourished with contented members, now dishes acrimony to a divided congregation, and the pastor is broken. All these situations have a common denominator – disappointment.

Disappointment is the result of dashed hopes and aspirations. It triggers ill feelings, and a desperate pursuit after reason. But that also proves illusive.

Maybe, you are in the same situation as you read this message.

You met Jesus and fell in love with Him. You were getting along well with Him until hell broke loose in your life. Your children are straying from the Lord. Your finances have taken a bad hit from the economic downturn. It may be your health or business that suffers. Consequently, you’re struggling to feel the presence of Jesus, your best friend. You’ve fasted and prayed, but the burden gets heavier every day. Counselling hasn’t helped much, so frustration sets in. Doubt now wages a dangerous war of attrition on your once strong faith in Jesus. Church becomes burdensome, and you wonder if holiness and integrity are worth your commitment anymore. Where is Jesus, and why isn’t He doing something? What happened to His promises?

Maybe the key principle from Jesus’ response to John is what you need now:

Christian faith demands the mind to firmly wrap itself around the reality of the Saviour’s being, as evidenced by the revelation of Himself in His word, rather than your own ideas and expectations of the Him and His ways (Matt. 13:4-6). For it is only then could you have the right perspective and attitude in yours trials, and not grow weary.

For those who may be under hell’s attack and the assault of personal tragedies that have disillusioned and frustrated you; don’t give up yet! Don’t allow doubt to frustrate your faith in Jesus. He is the true Messiah, and He has all your issues under wraps. His ways may not meet your expectations, as His timing may be far from yours. Faltering under such testing conditions of your faith is counterproductive. Persevere till maturity becomes your badge of honor here on earth, and the crown of life decorates you in heaven for the glory of the Father in Christ Jesus (James 1:2-4, 12). Amen.