Don’t judge a blog post by it’s title because this has nothing to do with that story we read in high school- (or at least I think that’s where I heard the title). Instead I’m going to talk about us.
We, as humans, have great expectations when it comes to people.
Towards the end of last year I realized something huge: I expected WAY more from people than they could, would or even what I felt they should offer me.
It was actually a big turning point in my life. With this realization also came great peace.
I realized I had to lower my expectations for everyone else and raise them for myself. I’m not being sarcastic, hateful or vengeful- only truthful.
Did I have people placed up on a pedestal or was it my own self I had perched up there? Maybe both, but this changed the way I responded to disappointments.
Now don’t get me wrong. There are times when I forget this revelation, but shortly after, I am once again enlightened by the simple truth: people are just people, just like me.
For example- my husband is a pretty good guy. He pays the bills, goes to work, comes home, he’s a good dad to the kids, and the list goes on, but like me- he isn’t perfect.
I can focus on a minor imperfection so much that I can become a miserable person. He should do this, he shouldn’t do this, he should care about this… Blah blah blah.
You see what I’m saying? I expect something and when it’s not there I am let down and can continue to plunge into a pit of despair. OR I can remember who I am in Christ and go paint a piece of furniture, hang some wallpaper, clean the bathroom or wash the dishes.
I might bang a plate or two but then I remember the truth: it’s ok but I better get ok.
Am I holding up to my expectations of myself? It’s always much easier to lower that bar on my end. It gets heavy but doesn’t it get heavy for others as well?
Surely we’ve seen those quotes that say something like Expectations preceed disappointments. How true that is!
How often do we feel let down by someone? How often do we feel we deserve more than what we are given?
How many times are we really placing others, or ourselves, above God? Only He can supply our every need, yet sometimes we look to people to fill what only He can fill and then we wonder why we’re empty.
Us on the other hand? More is expected from us if we are followers of Christ. We should expect more from ourselves due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He is our Helper and He lives within us.
I don’t even want to walk around offended or feeling rejected. Why? Because then my focus is on me and not my Father. It’s a diversion from the enemy himself.
Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. NKJV
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. KJV
Thanks for reading and God bless!
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Maid in His Image 