Tag: demands

Does It Depend?

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

When Jesus doesn’t give you what you want…

When your arms remain empty…

When you fall upon your knees in prayer and God’s reply seems to be no…

What then? What is your response?

Take matters into your own hands because you know better than God?

Trust yourself instead because deep down you believe He doesn’t really care or understand you?

We often stoop to unbelief when unable to see over the horizon.

And when we’re full of ourselves, our eyes seem to fail us.

It’s like we can’t see over the horizon to God’s plans because me, myself, and I get in the way.

But God can and does see it all. Your everything. He made your now, your horizon, and beyond.

Is God’s no because God is so very mean?

Could God be protecting you instead?

Maybe He is going to give you something way better – but we refuse to see that (or even look) because our vision demands to be satisfied in the present. Right this very second.

Either you believe God has your back or He doesn’t.

Look behind at all of His faithfulness demonstrated to you over years and years.

He’s been faithful when you’ve danced for joy before Him and when you’ve pouted in the corner.

He will also prove to be faithful in your wants. Your nows.

Thank Him for giving you His very best.

And keep trusting Him when you like what you see and even when you don’t.

Photos by Alinson torres, Irvin Aloise, Maëva Vigier, & Ugne Vasyliute on Unsplash

Anticipation or Expectation

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 10:28

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Life is full of promise.

Possibilities are brimming at every turn.

Are you cheerfully anticipating God to work in your life, delivering His plan for your days?

Or are you planning things yourself and expecting God to work your plan?

One surrenders, the other demands.

Works in other relationships too, not just under God.

How bout your spouse?

Are you cheerfully anticipating love or blessings whenever they happily fall into your lap, or do you have impossibly high expectations your spouse will continually fail to reach?

Do you expect your spouse to celebrate you in a certain way, or do you allow them the freedom to bless you from their heart in their own way?

How much do you expect your girlfriends to do for you?

Or do you have the attitude of cheerful anticipation void of your measure?

As parents, we must have certain behavior expectations of our children.

That’s our called and sacred duty.

But speaking of giving love, children are notoriously low on the giving scale as they creep up in years.

Are you cheerfully anticipating their love in their time, or do you hold them to high expectations certain to fail your standards of showing love?

There’s a big difference.

It’s grace vs legalism.

Unselfish vs selfish.

Peace vs strife.

When we hold God, our loved ones, our friends, or anything in our life to our own expectation, we will be disappointed.

Guaranteed.

100%

But if we allow God to bless us when we least expect it, our hearts will brim over with joy.

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I remember praying about my birthday a few years back.

It was the first one as a “divorced” woman.

I prayed to have zero expectations, to be pleasantly surprised with each little detail God provided.

The first child to greet me at school loudly proclaimed, “Happy Birthday!”

Then she ran over for a hug.

I walked into my classroom and the sweetest boy began serenading me, personally singing the entire Happy Birthday song in his precious soft voice.

Be cheerfully expectant.

Anticipatorious as my father would say.

Your days will be peaceful, your heart will be filled with love, and your mind will stay at rest.

And your relationships will thrive.

Ahhh, now that’s the life.

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