"Sometimes things just don't work out," I heard myself saying over the phone. "It's okay."

While my voice sounded convincing, I felt anything but okay.

With that phone call, I had just given up my dream apartment with my dream roommates in my dream town. I said goodbye to my would-be roommate, hung up the phone, and cried.

Dealing with Disappointment

When I finished graduate school in England, I foolishly expected to roll off the plane and move into a nice apartment (an inordinate sense of idealism just so happens to be my strength and weakness).

But, after carefully balancing out my budget I realized that, although I was working two jobs, I wouldn't be able to afford living on my own. So, after my year of freedom and excitement living in England, I was back in my parents' house, sleeping in my childhood bedroom. While I was thankful for my parents' hospitality, I felt like I had gone five steps forward and ten steps backward.

When this happened to me, I felt like a failure. Looking back, now living on my own, I'm thankful for that time of waiting. Because, in that time, God showed me how to be patient and have faith in God’s goodness and wisdom, even when the future seemed uncertain.

Are you feeling disappointed by failed plans today? Remember: failed plans do not make you a failure. I encourage you to take some time to meditate on these verses that gave me hope and strength when I was feeling frustrated and unsure of my future:

1. Proverbs 16:9 (GNTD)

   You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

2. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (GNTD)

   Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.

3. 1 Peter 5:7 (GNTD)

   Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

4. 1 John 5:14 (GNTD)

   We have courage in God's presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will.

5. Ephesians 2:10 (GNTD)

   God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.