Life is a challenge, too often, we are bombarded with picture-perfect highlight reels of morning routines, aesthetic work/home setups, or couples marriage goals. These “ideals” can manifest as our expectations. Expectations are what we think will happen. Our expectation vs. our reality refers to the contrast between what one anticipates will happen and what actually transpires. Or the truth vs. a lie. In the course of life this can be extremely difficult at times for some, and we can lose our hope and purpose in life. This disparity of expectations vs. reality can often lead to feelings of discontentment and unhappiness and depression. It is fine to have hopes in fact, optimism in the face of challenges or changes can be a good thing. Living by faith and the Word means relying on God, obeying the Word, having an optimistic attitude, being thankful and praying, waiting for God’s will, and fulfilling life in the world. But having a very fixed idea of exactly what should happen or what needs to happen in order for you to be happy can lead to even more disappointment than if you faced the situation with an open mind and the understanding that things might not work out the precise way you wanted.

Expectations = refer to the beliefs /ideals that we hold about the outcomes of events in life.

Reality = refer to what actually transpires or happens in life. time to be born and a time to die.

When expectations are not met, it can lead to feelings of disappointment, frustration, and even anger and depression. We don’t need to experience this…

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Our Lord and God knows all about us and the ideas we have placed in our mind as to what must occur for us to be happy or have a favorable outcome. In other words God knows our needs, wants and desires. However, God provides our needs.

Proverbs 24:14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

God knows we need knowledge and wisdom and that is provided for everyone through the written word of God. The Bible. When we have found it we need to read it, and heed it.  That will then produce the reward we need and then we can receive our expectation. Knowledge and wisdom are liked to honey and the honeycomb a sweetness for your soul. The reward and our expectation we receive is salvation.  Where we have found it,  is hidden in the pages of Gods word. Christians comfort one another with the word of God.

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

This verse tells us we must wait upon the Lord and know that he will provide our expectation from God alone. We are all spoil little brats wanting our own way and when we don’t get it we throw our little temper tantrum until we get it.  This and the previous verse talks about the soul of man, “thy soul”, “my soul”. The living soul,  The core of your being.  “God breathed into mans nostrils the breath of life and made him a living soul.” The part that makes you you.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The term Joshua used here can refer to any document: from inscription to scroll, from papyrus to clay tablet to stone. The Book of the Law is the copy of instructions given to Moses in Deuteronomy and put in front of the ark. However today we know that it contains the whole all the above and all that is contained in the word of God. The Bible. It should never leave us meditate and memorize it, follow its teachings. This will make you prosperous. Hold on to the word of God wherever you are.

Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Paul, turns to assess the future, which is also cause for joy. The reason for his continuing joy—his earnest expectation that Christ will be magnified whatever the outcome. His earnest expectation is his bright future ahead of him you see Paul could die at any moment. We know from scripture That when Moses came down from the mountain he was changed his appearance was different, he was in the presence of God.

As long as Jesus Christ is magnified, in what we do we will be able to prosper in his wisdom and knowledge and be drawn closer to him in the process. This increases our spiritual growth and strengthen our faith.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Amen.