Unrealistic Expectations

Ephesians 3:20 (New International Version)
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Our expectations are in the wrong place when we look to ourselves or someone other than God to meet our needs. By depending on others, the way that they respond to our expectations determines how we will feel toward them. Our feelings then become the bottom line.

As Christians we are commanded not to be led by our feelings. We have been commanded to be led by the Spirit. We need to make a choice since there is no middle ground. When we live our lives placing our own expectations on others we will continually become disappointed. We need to embrace God’s grace and extend it to others.

God’s grace does not expect anything in return therefore unrealistic expectations are the opposite of God’s grace. Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve; expecting means having to meet a list of terms or requirement. Webster’s defines expectation as “a looking forward to, anticipation, the probability of the occurrence of something.”

As Christians we need to face the depth of our fleshly nature. The closer we get to the Lord the brighter His light shines deep into the cracks and crevices of our life.

The bible shows us how God saw Abraham – through His eyes of grace. He sees us in the same way. He doesn’t have unrealistic expectations of us. He simply sees us through grace. All we need to do is accept that grace and relate it to our own lives. We need to trust Our Heavenly Father God Almighty and genuinely love people with His love. We must not set unattainable standards for ourselves or others. If so the end result will only be turmoil and failure. Our Lord Jesus Christ will not only consistently meet our expectations but will surpass them.

Psalm 33 (New International Version)

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. 6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth? 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [a] ; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.