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