Great Expectations

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What are you expecting? Did you know that what you expect will usually come to pass? I am not talking about rubbing a genie lamp, but rather I'm referring to our attitude toward what we expect.

When I was a Jr. and Sr. high student, I thought it made me funny to tell my friends, "I always expect a bad grade on a test, because when it's bad I'm not disappointed, and when it's good I'm surprised.”

It might have sounded humorous, but it was terrible reasoning for a high-achiever (which I was, and hopefully still am).

Here's the bottom line: People who expect bad things to happen usually experience bad things happening. Why is that? Mainly it is because people who expect bad things to happen tend to have a limited, negative, and pessimistic view of life.

Living with that attitude causes them to not try, not attempt, and to take the easy way. The result: Not a lot of good happens in their lives.

But the people who choose to expect the best usually receive it. Why is that? These people are positive, confident, and hopeful.

Living with this attitude causes them to expect the best, work toward the best, and take the difficult yet productive road. The result: Good things happening!

There is a spiritual dimension in this also. Isaiah 64:3 says, …for You did awesome things beyond our highest expectations… Ephesians 3:20 says, Now 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.

God wants us to exceed our highest expectations. He desires to make us more effective in our job, our relationships, and our ministries. A lot of the time we are looking at the news, the economy, or our FaceBook feed, and what we see is pretty depressing. But, if we'll look to Him and His Word, we'll see goodness, hope, and life.

If you expect the worst, you probably won't be disappointed. But, if you will expect to see God's goodness and favor, you will also not be disappointed!

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