God and Our Expectations
In a previous post, we discussed expectations as they related to our human relationships. In this post, I’d like to look at how we also struggle with expectations pertaining to God. We “Trust” and “Surrender” but in the back of our minds, we have expectations as to when and how God should work.
We “Trust” and “Surrender” but in the back of our minds, we have expectations as to when and how God should work.
When His response does not match our expectations, we can become angry and bitter towards Him because we feel like He doesn’t care, or we are no longer in His sight. Hebrews 3:14 says “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,...” What makes this hard for us if not unmet expectations? Our faith stumbles because God does not move as we expected.
Our faith stumbles because God does not move as we expected.
This is a personal struggle for me.
My pride would have me believe I know what’s best; and somehow, I am capable of out-thinking and out-loving my Creator. To further exacerbate the problem, when God fails to meet my expectations, I become petulant with Him and rail against His perceived lack of caring. How can I reasonably expect my view to be better than my Lord’s? What a foolish man I am.
How can I reasonably expect my view to be better than my Lord’s? What a foolish man I am.
What would it look like if we declared and stood by Isaiah 55:8-9? God says, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked God to take the cup away from him. But, managing his earthly emotions and expectations, he finished with “yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39) This is a picture of true trust and surrender.
As with many areas of our lives, we are incapable of managing our expectations under our own power. We need the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to set realistic expectations of ourselves and others. We need our Father to grant us mercy and grace. We need our Lord to open our eyes to reality and to grant us what we need to live this life to the fullest. Since we have a Father whose love never fails, we can rest assured He always works things for His glory.
We need our Lord to open our eyes to reality and to grant us what we need to live this life to the fullest. Since we have a Father whose love never fails, we can rest assured He always works things for His glory.
Are you in a place where you seem to be continually disappointed in how God answers your prayers? Are you frustrated and feel like He has turned His back on you and left you alone? This might be a good time to step back and look at what is bugging you about your expectations of God.
If you would like to talk through some of these issues or how you can better manage your expectations, please reach out to us at Vision Forward. We would love to walk with you on your journey.
Your best tomorrow begins today.
