Expectations (Part 4)

Expectations (Part 4)

The Bible lays out some principles that help us form expectations and deal with the expectations of others:

-Openness and honesty with ourselves and with others is the first key. 

We all fail ourselves and others in many ways according to James 3:2 and we should be able to admit when we are wrong. You should not base your expectations on mere assumption, but on verifiable truth, if at all possible. Discuss with our loved ones what your expectations are and what theirs areas well.

-Forgive yourself and others.

The people in Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah but, when He came, they had some unrealistic expectations of what He’d do. They wanted the Messiah to free them from Rome, and they wrongly expected Jesus to establish His kingdom then and there according to Luke 19:11. When He did not fulfill their expectations, they were frustrated and angry enough to kill. But Jesus forgave them in Luke 23:34. If Jesus could forgive the men who called out “Crucify Him!” we can forgive our loved ones and friends who harbor wrong expectations of us.

-Love is patient and kind, and it does not insist on its own way in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7. 

You need to remember that all people are different. If you have formed expectations for friends or loved ones that they cannot live up to, it is not their fault. You have the power to change your expectations, and, if you find that your expectations of others are unreasonable, you should be flexible.

-Expectations can be amazing things when they are thought of in the spirit!  

Philippians 3:20, 21 "But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await (also translated expect) a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself." 

Philippians 1:20, 21 "As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  

When Christ is the focus, everything else becomes clear.  Salvation is only by His blood, and you and I can definitely expect to see Jesus when we pass away from this earth.  It is such an amazing gift!