Overcoming Disappointment in Obedience

To know me is to know this: I will always choose obedience over opinions. Do I value the thoughts of others? Yes. But obedience to God will always outweigh everything else.

Recently, I’ve been walking through a season where obedience has led me straight into disappointment. I’ll be honest—it even left me feeling regret for giving God my “yes.” If you’ve truly walked with God, you know that obedience is rarely easy or fun. In the past, even when it was hard, I still felt it was worth it. But in these last few seasons, I’ve faced hurt, disappointment, and the sting of people’s actions.

God Already Knew the Outcome

One thing I rest in is the truth that God is in our tomorrow. He has written my story. He knew the outcomes before He ever asked me to obey. He knew how people would respond, what would change, and what would stay the same.

As someone called to people, I’ve come to realize something: God loves us so much that He will try to reach us however He can—even if it means His children suffer in the process. Many times, we pray for breakthrough or transformation, and the answer comes through someone else. But if we don’t recognize that God is sending our answer through a person, disappointment sets in.

Learning Dependence Over Self-Sufficiency

For a long time, I took pride in being self-sufficient and independent. But self-sufficiency can blind us—it makes us depend on the work of our hands rather than the hand of God.

In this season, God has me fully dependent on Him for everything—and I mean every little thing. I even told Him once, “I just want to do it myself.”

God’s response? “You don’t get to tell Me how to bless you.”

That hit me hard. I was so used to being the blessing for others that I almost shut out the people God sent to bless me. I had to learn: obedience is not about control. It’s about surrender.

The Power and Weight of Obedience

Have you ever felt God tug on your heart to do something—buy groceries for someone, call a friend with a word of encouragement, or step into a place you weren’t comfortable with—and you didn’t?

Maybe fear held you back. Maybe it felt too big. But on the other side of that act of obedience could be someone who was praying for confirmation, provision, or simply a reminder that God hears them.

Your obedience may be the bridge someone needs to regain their faith. At the same time, there will be moments when obedience leads to unexpected outcomes. You do what God asks, but instead of things getting easier, they get harder. That’s when the questions come: Did I hear God right? Did I miss something? Is obedience really worth it?

Let me remind you—it is. Every single time.

Lessons I’m Holding Onto

Here’s what has kept me encouraged when obedience brought disappointment:

• God will always get His answers to us. He is creative in His pursuit of His children. It’s up to us to see Him and receive.

• People may disappoint us, but God never will. Even in hurt, there are lessons to learn and wisdom to gain.

• God walks with us in everything. He cares about our feelings—even the messy, uncomfortable ones.

• Obedience matters more than outcome. I’d rather be wrong in my steps than disobedient in my heart.

Our lives are not about us. You may very well be the answer to someone’s prayer.

So if you’re walking through disappointment in your obedience, hold on to this truth: God wastes nothing. Your “yes” still matters. Your obedience still matters. And God is still working through it all.

With Intention,

Ebony