Expectations and Shalom
Expectations can set us up for suffering
Expectations can set us up for fear and angst
Expectations can set us up for frustration and anguish
Expectations can set us up for resentment and hopelessness
Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional
Whether or not we suffer is up to us
It has to do with our expectations
If we expect that in life
Good things happen to good people
God is loving and will protect us from all harm
God is loving and would only give us good things
God wants to bless us and give us the desires of our hearts
especially when we live according to His principles
and are obedient to His word
We reap what we sow
God will bless us with good when we act right
We will reap God’s blessings when we sow seeds of godliness
God will surely bless us with a godly mate
when we have not compromised with worldly values
have steered mostly clear from our lustful desires
we have kept ourselves pure
waiting for God’s provision
God will surely bless us with a good marriage
when we have dedicated our marriage to Him
have been faithful to our spouse in body and soul
laid down our lives for our spouse in submission to God
interacted with our spouse according to godly principles
God will surely bless us with godly children
when we have taught and trained our children up in God’s word
prayed for and with our children regularly
conducted weekly family devotions
dedicated our children to God
God will surely bless us financially
when we have tithed diligently
and gave generously to the needs of others
God will surely bless us with good health
when we have taken good care of our body
the Temple of the Holy Spirit
when we have eaten healthily
exercised consistently
Surely
Surely God
Surely God would
Bless
We have done right
Surely God would hold up His end of the bargain
When bad things happen in the world
When bad things happen in our lives
Why would we not experience life’s realities
We live in a fallen world
Why not us
We are but dust
We are frail
We are weak
We are limited
We are all aging
From dust to dust we will be
Expectations are set by us
Consciously or unconsciously
We can choose to
Adjust them
Change them
Therefore
When we face struggles and face pain
We can plead for
God’s mercy
God’s grace
Without demanding that
God would take away our pain
Or change our circumstance
For
Expectations can set us up for appreciation and contentment
Expectations can set us up for Shalom
Wellbeing
Peace with God
Peace with others
Peace with the world
Peace with ourselves
We can set our expectations according to
Who God is
Who He says He is
Not what or how we want Him to be
We see that God has promised to
Bless us in every circumstance
Work all things out for our good
To give us hope and a future amid tragedy and pain
By
Being present with us
Immanuel – God with us
He holds us in the palms of His hands
He knows the number of our hair
He will not abandon us
He will not forget us
He will not reject us
He bottles our tears
He weeps with us
He embraces us
He walks with us
He indwells us
He carries us
God allows struggles and pain
To teach us
To build us up
To strengthen us
To become more like Himself
God made us in His image
He allows difficulties to
Burn off the dross
To dust us off
So that He might
See
His own
Reflection
In
Us
"Flowers" - Song by Samantha Ebert
