Expectations

Expectations

The stress I put on myself of unrealistic expectations.

Why do we do this?

We love God and his kingdom, and we want our husbands to be successful. We want to dream big for God and be optimistic about what our local congregation can do.  We can overcome many hurdles when we aim high. Our husband’s career and our financial well being are at stake. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make it all happen in our local congregation. Personally, I witnessed my parents do this sacrificially for their whole lives.  My mother, JoAnne North, at the age of 85 with advanced Parkinson’s, was still going to the county jail to study with women.  She was driven to share the gospel. What an amazing example. How can I not try to follow. We should always plant the seed and let God give the harvest. Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”.

Is this productive?

Having high expectations can result in high success in your work but can also create frustration and high stress. Do you get too upset when things don’t go well or as expected?  Have you become inflexible? Do you become too critical of yourself or others? Do you fixate on small details? Hebrew 6:19 says, “This hope we have as an anchor or the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil”.

What can we do?

Try to move to realistic expectations and release the pressure. Put the success in God’s hands. Daniel 12:3 says, “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Be Blessed

Susan Monan

michmonan@sbcglobal.net