The peril of faulty expectations
Adobe
ChatGPTIn your Christian life, you will encounter many potential pitfalls. If you're not diligently watching for them, they can quickly knock you off your feet. One of the hazards I have become increasingly aware of is the peril of faulty expectations, which is when we expect one thing from God and He does another.
Faulty expectations can take many forms. A sincere pastor may assume that if he serves God diligently, his church and ministry will thrive.
Christian parents might expect that if they take their children to church, they will become godly adults.
Believers often imagine that if they demonstrate faith, God will move their mountain.
When the outcome isn't what they anticipated, many people fall into a spiritual tailspin.
I have known Christians who faithfully served God and were active members of their church. But when God allowed a tragedy in their life, they became confused and bitter, ultimately leaving the church and their faith. God didn't act the way they assumed He would or should, and their entire faith structure crumbled.
I'm not immune to this type of thinking. We naturally make assumptions about God. When we serve Him, we assume He wants us to be successful! When we promise to give God the glory for the result of our efforts, we expect Him to grant us victory. But God is far more concerned with accomplishing His eternal purposes than He is with making us happy or ensuring we achieve our personal goals. God views our life through the lens of eternity.
I am reminded of the comment the apostle Paul wrote from prison to the church at Ephesus: "I was made a servant of the gospel by the gift of God's grace that was given to me by the working of his power" (Eph. 3:7). Paul was in jail. He wasn't being treated well. He was most likely in poor health. People hated him and wanted to kill him.
That's probably not the outcome he expected when he began starting churches across the known world.
When he gave up his career and ambitions to follow Jesus, he might have assumed God would at least keep him out of prison so he could continue preaching and teaching.
Instead, God allowed His premier evangelist and church planter to spend years confined to jail. Yet Paul described his calling as a "gift" of God's grace. Grace is God's undeserved favor, which isn't typically how people view unjust incarceration! How could Paul view the seemingly unfair circumstances of his life that way?
First, he surrendered his expectations to God.
When you have no expectations, it's much more difficult to be disappointed! When you preach, teach, or serve, free yourself from expectations. The key is obeying what God asks you to do. The results are up to Him.
Second, Paul understood that God takes an eternal perspective.
At the time Paul was languishing in a prison, being locked behind bars could have seemed like a colossal waste of time. But 2,000 years later, we still cherish the Book of Ephesians, which may never have been written had Paul not been incarcerated. What seems unfair in the moment can appear perfectly just over the long term.
Third, Paul knew what God had and hadn't promised.
God never promised him comfort. He promised never to leave or forsake him. God never promised that Paul wouldn't be opposed or criticized. God promised that he would accomplish his purposes through Paul, despite his enemies. We often try to transform our wishes into think God should act a certain way doesn't mean He will!
Fourth, Paul had learned to lean into his relationship with Christ rather than placing his hopes and satisfaction in the success of his efforts.
When life's greatest reward is to know and experience Christ, you can always experience success, regardless of what's happening around you! If your joy is dependent on the outcome of your plans, you're destined for disappointment.
You may need to gather up your expectations and humbly, reverently, and submissively leave them on the altar. Regardless of whether the world views you as a success or a failure, God has called you to be His faithful servant. He never commanded you to achieve your goals. He commanded you to do whatever He calls you to do. Focus on pleasing Him, and you will have the same joyful outlook on life and ministry Paul enjoyed.
 | Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and lives in Georgia. He travels internationally speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life. Richard regularly ministers to Christian CEOs and business leaders. He has written or co-authored 33 books . This article was first published on RichardBlackaby.com. Used with permission from Blackaby Ministries International. Learn More » |
More on Spiritual Growth and Soul Care
- Follow forward in your context (by Tim Tucker)
- Why we need a different kind of ‘maturity’ in the church (by Carey Nieuwhof)
- When your worship service is disrupted (by Bob Russell)
- It matters not how small your gift — God will use it (by Tom Crenshaw)
