Expectations can be joy killers.....
This is the new revelation in my life. I'm sure it has been around and out there for awhile, but expectations can be very disheartening. People will always disappoint for they are human. We get in our minds a certain opinion about someone or a certain expectation from them that we have and then an occurrence happens and you're disappointed sometimes even shocked. "I didn't expect that from them" or "I thought I knew this person". Then I sit on my high & mighty stool and think how much better I am only to come crashing down almost instantly and thankfully amidst my arrogance, God catches me and tells me to straighten up!
Then, we have our expectations of God. We fit Him nicely into "our plans" and we ultimately pray for God's will, but deep inside our hearts we have our own agenda. We expect and want God to work it out "our way"...for surely He would do it our way...for I am Earen, I know best! CRASH!
I had my plan this summer for our house selling and us finding a new home & being all moved by the end of August when my son starts school. And although we've only had our house on the market a month & we had about 12 showings (which I hear is a good thing), I'm not hearing the words I want to hear right now..."your house is sold" Now, this all might still happen and that's what I'm praying for, but my expectations are destroying my joy for the present. I find myself disappointed that God isn't doing what I want Him to do. Then I fall into worry and fret and distrust. I read something by Ruth Graham that said that Worship & worry can't go together and it can destroy faith. Isn't that so very true in our lives.
What I'm realizing is that it is in the waiting where the joy really lies because we have no control...it's not about us..and we are in complete reliance on the Lord. I can't make "my agenda" happen in this situation, I have to wait.
And you know, I would wait all over again because the real joy of waiting is the refining & molding lessons we learn of Him. For He's teaching me so much....teaching me that it's really only the expectation of Himself and Heaven that will ever fully satisfy.
12 comments:
You are so right. Expectations are joy killers...what a good way of putting it. I have learned that so much since becoming a parent, and I'm still learning it!
How true, how true. I used to have high expectations all the time (not that I still don't, but it's something that I have tried to work on), and what I found was that it was damaging to my relationship to my hubby. I kept thinking of dates he would plan, presents I would get for birthdays, things he might do to spark the marriage, and when my expectations weren't met we argued and I was disappointed. He in turn felt he was always letting me down. I was really hurting him. It certainly is hard not to let dreams and your imagination turn into expectations though. Good for you though turning to God at this time.
This is a continual lesson for me. I can't quite get it so God keeps bringing it back up. One day I will know how to keep my expectations LOW so God and everyone else can surprise me!!
I totally know what you are saying on this one! But, the cool thing is...when its all said and done...HIS beautiful handprints will be ALL OVER your life and there will be no greater joy than to tell how spectacular He is for you!!!
Much love. I'm praying!
Fran
Amen! I am in the boat with you...waiting on my house to sell and seeking God to do it IN MY TIME! He is NOT cooperating! (shocker!) HE called us to put it on the market and obey Him and follow Him to a new place (closer to my hubby's work), a smaller place. SO...we are obeying! But the house has sat for a week with ONE looker!! YIKES! Did we hear God wrong...or does He have a plan and a timing that FAR exceeds what I my expectations?? Yeah, i'm guessing the second one, too!
Thank you for this reminder and encouragement in the waiting!!
expectations. ugh.
I've been struggling with how to even comment on this... it's hitting one of my rawest nerves.
i wish you could know how much this post is being used by God...
You are so right!
"We fit Him nicely into "our plans" and we ultimately pray for God's will, but deep inside our hearts we have our own agenda".
I wish I could say this is never true of me, but unfortunately I have my own agenda alot of the time.
Good word, my friend!
So true, so true! It is hard to be patient and wait on the Lord and know that His plan may not be OUR plan even though it is what we are asking for. Why do I always think I know better than the one who loves me and watches over me?? I loved this post Earen!
It is so difficult sometimes to find joy in the midst of submission. What's so funny is that once you do let go, I mean REALLY let go, the freedom and peace (and joy!) are so worth it. Thank you for sharing this.
Earen. . .I understand this. God has been working on this one in me over and over and over since we've been out in Cali. He does always work it out BEAUTIFULLY. . .even if not on our timetable. :) Thanks for sharing your journey.
may your strength and joy rise as you wait, and wait on God's timing.
you are beautiful.
Why is this a lesson that we all seem to need over, and over again?!? Thanks for the reminder that I need to find joy in the waiting because God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ask or imagine. I can't wait to see what He has in store for you and for me. :o)
Beautiful post.
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