By Bobby Schuller, Crystal Cathedral Pastor
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
-Philippians 4:6
Linking expectations with faith gives us less-than-fully-matured perspectives of what faith really is. When we equate faith with our expected or desired outcomes, we're not trusting in God's greater plan and purpose.
The greater number of expectations we have, the less happy we will be for three reasons:
1. Expectations diminish happiness when our expectations are met (especially if we see the outcomes as our own doing and not as God's special blessings).
2. Expectations diminish happiness when they are unmet (especially if we question the wisdom of God because he did not do what we asked).
3. Expectations always diminish gratitude.
Everyone has expectations in life. Everybody does. We have lots of them. Nevertheless, trust me - the smaller the amount of expectations we have, the happier each one of us will be.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the only one with a perfect plan for my life. Help me to move forward, always seeking your direction, and at all times grateful for every blessing I encounter along the way. Amen.
Reflection: When has an unfulfilled expectation disappointed or devastated you? When have you, instead, waited on God to meet your need in his own way?
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
-Philippians 4:6
Linking expectations with faith gives us less-than-fully-matured perspectives of what faith really is. When we equate faith with our expected or desired outcomes, we're not trusting in God's greater plan and purpose.
The greater number of expectations we have, the less happy we will be for three reasons:
1. Expectations diminish happiness when our expectations are met (especially if we see the outcomes as our own doing and not as God's special blessings).
2. Expectations diminish happiness when they are unmet (especially if we question the wisdom of God because he did not do what we asked).
3. Expectations always diminish gratitude.
Everyone has expectations in life. Everybody does. We have lots of them. Nevertheless, trust me - the smaller the amount of expectations we have, the happier each one of us will be.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being the only one with a perfect plan for my life. Help me to move forward, always seeking your direction, and at all times grateful for every blessing I encounter along the way. Amen.
Reflection: When has an unfulfilled expectation disappointed or devastated you? When have you, instead, waited on God to meet your need in his own way?
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!
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