Unrealistic Expectations
Friday August 15, 2014
All week we've been looking at various reasons why we struggle with feelings of guilt. Most of those reasons have to do with our reaction to something that's gone wrong. Today's topic, however, is rooted in the unrealistic expectations we sometimes have that lead us to believe it’s our responsibility to fix everything that's gone wrong around us.
Perhaps we think we need to fix the hurt we’ve caused in the past. Maybe it's a desire to care for and fix others who struggle and whose lives impact us. Unrealistic expectations are often linked to thoughts of the future and the things we desire in order to have security and hope. Christians are meant to look to God to find courage and peace for the future. God knows each one of us intimately and is involved in every circumstance of our lives. God is with us as we work hard and find peace in our work at the end of our day's labour. When we are doing the best that we can do God is filling in the gaps and weaving all things together for our good. Feelings of guilt that tell us we haven't done enough or haven't done things well enough will be banished as we patiently endure entrusting our efforts to God’s generous provision of knowledge.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Jesus has a plan. Jesus has power. Jesus is already preparing us for whatever we will face in our future. Today, God invites us to face the future believing in Him and trusting the good plan He already has in place for us. Remember, God is able to make use of our past, present and future successes and failures.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent. ”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Jeremiah 29:11, John 6:29, Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
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