Expectations

Expectations

by Diana Scothorn

If we could see deep into each heart, it would change our expectations. We often expect from people what they cannot deliver.

We can’t expect someone to love us if they do not love themselves. We cannot expect someone to make us feel strong when they are weak and insecure.

I have found myself in so many situations through false expectations, setting myself up for failure. When I was single, I went from relationship to relationship, looking for something only Jesus could provide. People will fail you, but Jesus will NEVER FAIL You or LEAVE you!

It’s impossible to find love and acceptance from those who…

…do not love and accept themselves. True affirmation and unfailing love can only be found in Jesus. When we have expectations from those we love, and they’re not met, a seed of disappointment will begin to take root if we’re not careful.

If we feel insecure about our self-image and think losing weight will bring affirmation that only Jesus can provide, we will set ourselves up for heartbreak.

If we’re feeling lonely and allow someone to manipulate our core beliefs to feel love and accepted, we’re setting ourselves up for regret and a bottomless pit of loneliness.

If we’re sick and put our sole trust in the doctor, who gives a bad report, we’ll experience heartbreak and disappointment. If our expectations are in doctors or people, we will get results limited to their capability. All our expectations must be in the Divine Healer of all our needs, Jesus Christ!

As a woman, my greatest expectation was to be accepted and loved for who I was. Satan will make you feel as if “who you are” is never good enough.

It’s a pitiful lie meant to make us live a pitiful life. When we fail to meet people’s expectations, or people fail to meet our expectations, disappointment follows close behind. The only perfect one is Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the source of all things. He is the “need meeter.”

When I put my trust in the Source, that gives me the strength and courage to be who I am.

We are who God says we are. We are healed, we are wonderfully and fearfully made, and we are made in His Image. We can do all things through Jesus Christ, who gives us strength for each day. We are who He says we are, and we can do what He has equipped us to accomplish.

Expectations can cause us to put demands on people who were never meant to meet them. If we put our trust in the ability of others to meet our needs, it not only diminishes the meaning of the Cross but hinders the expectations Jesus has for you and me to live in freedom and victory.

 Until we can genuinely see who Jesus is, we will never see who Jesus says we are. Jesus proved His love when He died on the cross so we could be free, and that alone takes all expectations off you and me.