Question:
I seem to get tripped up in the area of expectations often, and I’m not sure how to shift my thinking.
I have 2 areas in my life that I believe I have promises for....for MANY years. I have asked, taken steps of faith when opportunities arise many times, yet come away disappointed.
Lately I’ve, in a sense, thrown in the towel and lessened my hope, wondering if I’ve set these “things” above the Lord?
Graham:
Valerie, thank you so much for sharing your story.
History is the coming together of your story with His. All expectations are rooted in the promises or prophecies that God gives us. That means He takes the initiative to speak first, connect first, and act first. Check out: 1 John 4:19; James 1:17; John 3:27; Romans 11: 35/36
You need to clear the decks and disempower your disappointments.
Disappointments occur when our experience of the truth is much smaller than our knowledge of it.
Disillusionment is not a house guest. We make war on our negativity we don't give it board and lodging. It will prevent us from inheriting.
After your quick spring clean. Start afresh by asking God for a single promise.
Write it down. Rejoice over it. Give thanks, and journal your hope in His lovingkindness. Second day, repeat the process. for the week repeat it every day until you have seven promises.
Then journal from one to the other, always in an attitude of joy. Then write down how you feel.
Ask the Lord to show you those promises as a pathway of Favor that is uniquely personal between you and Him. Your story mingling with His story in you. We navigate life not by problems but by promises.
Let us know what happens. The words “give up” and Jesus can never belong in the same sentence. When we need a miracle, it's because one is available.
Here’s a prayer to pray until you get a better one:
Today, my new eyes are going to see things differently,
my renewed mind is going to enjoy Your thoughts towards me,
and my new voice is going to say the same as You.
I'm going to enjoy the whole thing!!!! Amen.
You may also find my talk on "Hope is Expectation" (Episodes 1-4 from the "Expectation" series) to be helpful. Click here to listen to Episode 1 of this conference session:
https://www.brillianttv.com/packages/expectation/videos/session-1-episode-1