Unshackled Moments ~ February 21, 2018 ~ Safe Expectations

Perhaps you have heard something along the lines of expectations being resentments under construction. I believe this. When we place expectations on people or expect a certain outcome of a situation or put all our hope on God doing a certain thing in a certain way, it can lead to heartbreaking disappointment that causes hurt, frustration and deep anger when we don't get what we want. It is so much better to trust God over people and yet, leave the way open for God to do things His way in His time.

But what about expectations that go the other way? They can be as devastating and destructive. What I am thinking of when I mention that is that expectation that things have always been this way and therefore always will. It is trusting hopelessness over the power and care of Daddy. When the struggle comes between the old way of life and the new path of freedom, it can be so easy to give in. I'm going to fail eventually, so why put it off and wear myself out fighting a battle that I can't win. When the game is lost, why not concede, even if time has not run out? There is some real truth in this way of feeling and thinking. If we have tried a hundred times to break a habit, to change our attitudes and reactions, there is no reason to believe that we will be able to win next time. In our own strength, determination and ability we have no more chance of setting ourselves free than we did at the beginning, no matter how long or often we try.

But when that expectation to fail falls on us, we don't have to surrender to the chains. We don't have to be drug along back into captivity just because that is what has always happened before. We do nee to surrender, just not to the thing trying to enslave and hurt us. Instead of doing that, and instead of fighting harder, we can surrender to Daddy's care and love and let Him fight on our behalf. With His enabling power we have the grace to do  what we can not do on our own. Change is possible through Him. We can be free. History does not always have to repeat. We can expect a different outcome when we are relying on a different source for the fight. The expectation that doesn't lead to resentment or returning to bondage is expecting that God is faithful to His word and will complete the work He has begun in us to set us free from our captivity. Those of who are set free by Jesus are free indeed, and that we can safely expect to remain true.

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