Something Better

It's an interesting phenomenon in Christian and non-Christian circles alike, that when something sad or disappointing happens, a friend will reassure the discouraged that there's something better waiting for him/her. I think there is a little bit of Biblical justification for this, in regard to God working all things together for good, but I'm not sure that there is any type of one-to-one ratio on this. In other words, if you apply for a job and don't get it, it might not be that it was a bad fit or even that God has a better job in store. It might be that it just didn't work out, as opportunities sometimes don't. There is likely something to be learned in the process of disappointment that contributes to sanctification, but I'm not sure if there is a promise beyond that. I only point this out to be realistic, not pessimistic. Treating disappointment as a rain check for a future blessing, while temporarily reassuring, can lead to a sense of entitlement that may or may not yield a result. If we intend to encourage, and not merely console others we should be careful in how we exhort others to handle disappointment.