The Word Is EXPECTATION

This series is inspired by the "Words From
Unity" public service announcements
that ran on television (particularly in
Kansas City) in the 1970's and 80's.

My pastor recently pointed out that so many people have anxiety or frustration in this world -- and with GOD -- because of the wrong set of expectations. I have to agree. I've seen a lot of people think, erroneously, that GOD is out to punish them without cause -- HE isn't. Or, they think GOD doesn't love them because they are suffering in spite of their prayers and faithfulness -- that's the work of the devil, not GOD (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Sometimes people pray for one thing and get something totally unexpected that answers that prayer. GOD has been known to do that a lot.

One of the things I learned after I got right with GOD is to widen your expectations. If you are intent on seeing them met in only one way, you're going to be disappointed a lot. Of course, this doesn't always apply to the expectations you set for other people. If they're not meeting your expectations, then that's a problem. But if people are meeting what you expect of them, you can't expect they will do it in exactly the way you imagine. Creative solutions come from many a problem.

This is a very obtuse explanation, I know, but I'm sure you know of times in your life when your needs were met in a way you didn't expect because you were looking at the problem from another direction. Expect the unexpected!