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We should always remember and keep in mind that in life we will have good
days and bad days, ups and downs, happiness and sadness, lots of laughter
and sometimes many tears. We should never expect to always be above in
life. Thinking that the good times will last forever will inevitably
bring disappointment because when the hard times come our way, we will
find our joy replaced with discouragement and sadness. Instead, we should
take each day as it comes and be appreciative for the blessing of that
day. Just as we don't expect the sun to always be shining on us, we should
have that same mind set for ourselves as well as for others.
Expectations bring disappointment because when someone doesn't do what we
wanted them to do, then our perception of them changes. If they didn't
meet a deadline, if they didn't meet a certain need, if they didn't say
the right thing, etc. When we expect much, we leave ourselves open for
disillusionment, distress and many times we are letdown. Accepting others
for who they are and allowing them to surprise us is where we should be in
our relationships.
Doing our best at a certain task and accepting the results helps us to
excel just the same because our expectations were not held at such an
unreachable level. Doing our best at a professional level and at a
personal level is all we should expect of ourselves as well as from those
whom we love. Be encouraged to never place labels on what you want people
to do or to be. Accept them for who they are and love them right where
they are. That will ensure blessed relationships and will eliminate
unneeded stress in both of your lives.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to accept people as
they are and never be demanding on what you of expect them.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?
“Well, what do you expect?” Has anybody ever asked you that?
Sometimes, my greatest disappointments have come because I expected
something that was simply not realistic.
You may know that Robert Lucas won the 1995 Nobel Memorial Prize in
economics. His ex-wife received half of his $1 million award. Yes, his
EX-wife. As it happened, when they were divorcing in 1988, she had her
lawyer add one tiny clause to the property settlement: “Wife shall receive
50 percent of any Nobel prize.” And her clause had an expiration date:
October 31, 1995. He won the prize on October 10.
One would think that her expectation of him winning a Nobel Prize might be
irrational. How many people do that? It's something like my winning the
Iron Man Marathon by the year 3000. That just won't happen.
But the difference is that I don't train, and she seemed to be sure that
it was only a matter of time before his outstanding work would be
recognized in such a way. Within seven years, she thought. So it turned
out her expectation was entirely rational. (Ironically, Lucas was honored
for an economic theory he called, “Rational Expectations.”)
I admittedly know nothing about Lucas' Theory of Rational Expectations in
economics. But I do know something about irrational expectations among
people. And I know that irrational expectations can cause untold disappointment.
Like the expectation that someone else will make me happy. This is
irrational. Nobody can make me happy. That is my job. If I expect others
to make me happy or to keep me happy, I know I will be disappointed again
and again.
Or the expectation that life should be, for the most part, relatively easy
and problem free. This, too, is irrational. Bad things happen. Living can
be difficult. If I expect things to be easy, if I expect NOT to have
problems, if I expect to avoid pain and heartache, I know I will be in for
serious disappointment. Problems are here to stay.
I don't mean to paint a picture of life as bleak and miserable. It isn't.
In fact, I think it is amazingly wonderful. And all the more wonderful
when I don't expect too much out of it. I expect problems, but I also
expect to find joy. I do not expect others to always please me, but I do
expect to be responsible for my own well-being.
So…what did you expect? I think if you can answer that question well, you
can expect to be much happier.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 4:18-21 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out
fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in
love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God,
and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother
whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this
commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
Romans 12:9-10 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is
evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another
with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved
us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God
so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at
any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is
perfected in us.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: TRUE LOVE AND PEACE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem177.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE DAY THE ANGELS REJOICED
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony133.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
