Life rarely unfolds the way we imagine it will. Plans shift, dreams change, and sometimes heartbreak enters when we least expect it. In her book It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa TerKeurst opens an honest conversation about disappointment, loss, and the way God meets us in the middle of our broken expectations.
As believers, we know the Bible promises hope and restoration, but that doesn’t mean the road is smooth or free from pain. TerKeurst reminds us that what feels like devastation can actually be holy ground — a place where God reshapes us and grows our faith in ways comfort never could.
What the Book Teaches Us About Disappointment
One of the most powerful themes in the book is that God is not surprised by our struggles. The situations that catch us off guard never catch Him off guard. Instead of seeing hardship as the end of the story, TerKeurst points to it as the beginning of a deeper dependence on Him.
She talks about:
- Trusting God in uncertainty — even when there’s no clear answer.
- Letting go of our own timelines and learning to walk in His.
- Reframing disappointment not as failure, but as an invitation to draw closer to God.
These truths remind us that faith isn’t about pretending everything is fine. Faith is about clinging to God when things are not fine — and choosing to believe He is still good.
Relating the Message to Everyday Life
We don’t have to experience major loss to feel the sting of disappointment. Everyday moments test our hearts:
- The job opportunity that didn’t work out.
- A child struggling in school or faith.
- The feeling of being overlooked or unseen.
- Even small daily frustrations that slowly wear us down.
In those moments, it’s easy to think: This isn’t how life was supposed to be. But this is exactly where God steps in. He turns our “not supposed to be” into “exactly where I need you to grow.”
Every challenge becomes an opportunity to practice trust. Every “no” becomes a redirection. And every moment of weakness becomes a chance to lean on His strength instead of our own.
Faith Tools for Families in Disappointing Seasons
When life feels heavy, it helps to have simple, practical ways to keep Scripture close. Here are three easy habits that can anchor your family’s faith when discouragement strikes:
- Start with small devotions — even just one verse read at breakfast can shift the tone of the day.
- Bring kids into the process — let them color a verse page, complete a Bible puzzle, or share what they’re thankful for.
- Create reminders — a verse taped to the fridge, a journal page in your bag, or even a simple printable activity can keep God’s Word front and center.
These aren’t just activities; they are ways to train our hearts and our children’s hearts to turn toward God instead of away from Him when life feels unfair.
Why This Matters for Faith in Abundance
At Faith in Abundance, we believe that walking through disappointment with God at the center transforms not just us, but also our families. That’s why we create tools to make faith simple, practical, and joyful — even in hard times.
👉 If you haven’t yet, we’d love for you to download our Family Faith Bundle — it’s completely free, and it’s filled with kid-friendly activities like a coloring page, a Bible word search, and a journal prompt. These small resources can help your family stay rooted in Scripture during everyday ups and downs.
👉 And if you’re looking for even more faith-based activities, our Etsy shop is growing with printable puzzles, devotion tools, and creative ways to help children build a love for God’s Word.
Final Thoughts
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way reminds us that life may not look like we expected, but it can still be good. God does some of His deepest work in seasons we never would have chosen.
