Expectations – Good or Bad?

Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com


Let’s talk about expectations. Sometimes it’s great to have them. We attend our worship service – we expect to be a blessing and to be blessed. We read the Bible – we expect God to keep His word. And there are many more positive expectations we can have – all good.

The trouble comes when we expect bad things to happen. Someone once said “expectations are planned resentments.” Ouch! This is SO true! Let’s say you have a history of arguing with your mother. You plan a visit with her and you are already expecting to resent her. And we often do this with our spouses. Maybe your husband forgot your birthday once or twice. Next time you are so sure he will do it again – you actually expect him to forget – and you are already planning to be upset and angry with him.

Sometimes we are better off lowering our expectations. If you know that someone has anxiety and drama, then maybe you shouldn’t take it personally when they appear to ignore you. If you have a tendency to expect everyone to lavish praise on you, be an attentive listener and notice your new hairdo, you really would be better off to lower those expectations.
Just a thought or two. I expect you to think about it!!!

Blessings,

Ethel
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