The Right Expectations

Recently I’ve been tracking the source of some lingering bitterness floating around in my heart that I finally concluded was from unfulfilled expectations. Perhaps you’re reading this at a stage in your life where this may not apply to you. But as easy as it is to tell ourselves we’re okay, I think we can all recall those moments when we’ve honestly felt disappointed.

For me, “it’s ok” was really a defense mechanism to console myself when expectations weren’t met. An article in Psychology Today noted that “human beings have a natural tendency to pin their hopes for happiness on fulfilled expectations.[1]” I had to be real. There were some situations that made me unhappy. And some the more I thought about that actually made me mad. Yikes.

Then one morning the Lord reminded me of Psalm 130:5:

Another usage for the word hope in this passage is to expect. Subtly I started putting my hope & expecting joy in the wrong place.

• The phone call from the friend you thought you’d receive

• The offer letter in your inbox.
• The financial increase.
• New relationship status.

Does any of these resonate with you? Though not bad within themselves, putting our expectations in other things other than the Lord and His word, will leave us, well- empty.

Take some time today to reflect on the expectations you may have put in the wrong place and then encourage your heart that there is a fresh start as we point our focus back on the One who will never fail.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 5:3

Bonus: Check out this worship song as you read over the verses from today’s blog.

---

[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cui-bono/201802/the-psychology-expectations