Friends, I've been thinking a lot over the past few months about the expectations we have of God. Most everyone has, for some reason or another, developed a form of expectations when it comes to God, our Creator. The amount of those expectations can fall anywhere from too many, to too little to none at all. Where do you fall in that range?
1 . Do you have too many expectations of God? For what could be a myriad of reasons, have you come to expect that since you believe in him and since you understand that he is good, that if you pray enough, or have faith that is strong enough, he will ultimately provide the things that you want?
2. Do you have too little expectations of God? Have you been let down and it has caused you to stop believing that he has good plans for you? Did you, at one time, have great faith in him, but have now become distant from the Lord and stopped seeking him and his promises?
3. Do you have no expectations of God at all? Have repeated negative circumstances caused you to abandon your faith? Have you never believed in Him, so you have no reason to expect anything from him?
If I were to be completely honest, I have fallen in each of those categories at different points of my life. As I've gotten older, and have hit the season of being a "middle aged" woman. [what in the world???], I've seen that my time spent in each of these categories has increased. At other times what has increased has been the frequency of which I've moved from one to another. So much so, that I've had to take out a moment, steal away alone, and get my dog gone self together!!! It's like who are you? Can you remain in one frame of mind? I'm so thankful that the Lord is patient with me and gracious with me during those times.
* Too many expectations *
In those times that my expectations were too great, and I wanted him to do it and do it now! ......The Lord had to show me that he is sovereign and I am not. There are many prayers I've prayed that he did not answer according to my wishes and many plans I've had that he has redirected.
Throughout those times I learned what he meant in Psalm 147:5 and Ephesians 1:11-12.
My understanding is so extremely limited in comparison to his. Every redirected plan and every reordered step was predestined and it conforms with the purpose of his will!
* Too little expectations *
Let downs feel like crap! I've had experiences after things have gone well for me for a season, only to have a sudden slap in the face and I'm sorely disappointed. Has that ever happened to you? If I'm strong at the moment, and I've been building myself up in the Word, I'm able to bounce back. Other times, not so much.
I'm honestly tempted to give up on trusting him, and I neglect the very nourishment and strength that is right there available to lift me up. I forget that his grace is sufficient, that his power is perfected in my weakness. It's a scary time because often I move on to other things that can fill my time and energy, but I'm completely ignoring my relationship with the Lord. It may feel like things are coasting along fine, not realizing what's awaiting around the corner.
I'm drifting far from the Father's heart. It's an overwhelming feeling. As I think about it there is one passage that comes to mind and gives me hope. Psalm 61:2 says, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me the the rock that is higher than I."
It is that Rock. My savior who has proven over and over that no matter how overwhelmed I get, his promise of safety and strength is sure. I can rest assured of that.
* No expectations *
So yeah, I admit it. I've had times where I became completely hopeless after realizing that something was not going to go my way. To the point where I give up on believing that anything good can happen.
After reviewing the past times I've experienced this, I realized that more often than not, these times were preceded by one of the seasons I mentioned above. I didn't properly deal with my let downs. When we don't properly deal with our let downs, we move into apathy.
The heart gives up on any hope of receiving goodness from the Father and we move further into places where we're completely living our lives apart from his will for us.
Our trust in him is gone. We have no desire for deep relationship with him, honestly because we're afraid of being hurt by him.
If we aren't trusting him for anything, he can't let us down right? I've certainly been there.
But I'm learning that although trust is scary, I would much rather trust in the sovereign hand of the Almighty than to suffer the alternative.
I've learned that as I've slid down that slippery slope from disappointment, to discouragement, to hopelessness, to apathy, I may try and trick myself into believing that a season apart from vulnerability is peaceful, however the end result is emptiness.
I'm learning that as I press through in my relationship with him and as I am real with him about what doesn't feel good, I'm able to get closer to where Paul was in Philippians 4:11-12, when he said he's learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I believe it when he said it was a "secret" because it's surely and obviously not known by all.
And that is truly what led him to vs 13, that many of us quote so often, "I can do all things through him who give me strength."
Sincerely,
Strong Woman
