At some point of other, we've all had to lower our expectations. Whether it was with our spouse, our children, our parents, a coworker...we know that having high expectations can lead to disappointment and even depression.
So what's the solution? How do we go about living life hoping for the best but tempering that with being prepared for the worse? Are you a glass-is-half-full or a glass-is-half-empty type of person? If the glass is half-full, how do you deal with life when it doesn't pan out in the most optimal, optimistic way?
The answer for some is simple: just lower your expectations. (Check out the video above, which is a spoof off the e-Harmony advertisements....pretty funny!) But how does that fit with Jesus saying he's come that we might have joy and abundant life? Would he really want us going around expecting the worse?
I know when I was single, one of the things I was told a lot was not to expect great things from guys (I dated a LOT of stellar people, lemme tell you) and when they surpassed my lowered expectations, I would be dazzled an excited. When I didn't expect a guy to call and he did, then I'd really be in a great mood that night...that type of thing.
For the average non-Christian client, this just might be where I would stop. It wouldn't be ethical for me to introduce my own religious beliefs to a client who didn't ask for them. But since I'm on a blog, and there isn't a hypothetical client (or even a character!), I'll give you my thoughts.
I think this way of living...expecting the worse out of life and people...really is substandard living. It's the reason our society is as bad as it is. Now, I'm fairly young and ideological, but I think we should expect the best from people. Kids today squeak by with the barest minimum standard in school because that's what's required. Just to be average, not to excel. What if the bar was raised? It's been my experience in therapy that when I set a high goal (with the help of the client) and give them the proper motivation and encouragement that I really do believe they will reach this goal, I'd say 7-8 times out of 10, the person meets the goal! It's so inspiring to see them rise to the occasion.
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b)
He also said, "Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24b)
Have life to the full and complete joy! What does that look like for you or your characters? If you had to sit your character down, what would the fullest amount of God's blessing on them look like? Their own narrowmindedness will limit their expectations of God. But like Jabez, if we can simply expect GREAT things from God, I believe he will be tickled to give them to us and increase out faith. I'm not promoting a prosperity gospel here, folks, I'm just saying that Jesus is in the business of blessing.
King David wrote in Psalm 37:4 the following: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
DELIGHT = JOY. They are synonymous. This is a win-win! For us, our characters, everyone. To expect better than status quo. To rise above the humdrum of chintzy living and step out in faith! Yes, we could be disappointed, but God still has a plan through that. It's all about perspective. Yes, people can shatter our illusions. They are human, fallen, inperfect people. Sometimes, we might even feel dismayed with God (I know many a character arc has revolved around this). But we shouldn't let one or two or five or ten or twenty less-than-joy-filled outcomes influence our desire to continue to live this life out on earth to the fullest extent possible.
Don't lower your expectations; raise your standards! Expect God's richest blessings.
9 comments:
I'm raising that glass half full in a here here cheer. I'm totally with you on this, Jeannie!!
Over time, being single, I became jaded. I expected men to disappoint me. It was a shame, too, because I should have expected the best. I've always been a positive thinker but you can only get burned so many times before you stop putting your hand on that burner. When I did find the right guy, it was tough for me to get past my own fears. We made it somehow but it was a rough road for me.
Excellent post! I'm not settling on life! :)
I'm eatin' these posts up. I love this blog. I mentioned it to another person today b/c they were struggling w/ how their character might act.
~ Wendy
Totally agree. I've had my share of disappointments and sometimes I struggle not to let them get me down but I always pull out because I know that God has the best for me. And I try to expect that for myself. It's about living, not surviving. My most recent post on my inspirational blog is about the same thing.
wendy - thanks! hopefully if your friend decides to write in, i can help.
patricia - what can i say? great minds think alike does come to mind... :)
A timely post! I must confess, though I started out my Christian walk as a glass-half-full person, I have seen a change in my thought patterns as I've gotten older. Yikes! Prickle of conviction here. Many thanks :)
Whew! I love this post. Isn't it great when the Lord is teaching you something, and you end up seeing it in places everywhere you go? All week I've been focusing on the the parable of the Sower. Yesterday, Matthew 13:8 slapped me in the face. "But others (meaning seeds) fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." I find it interesting that all the trees bear fruit, but some more than others. I'm still chewing on it, but I think it has to do with being completely surrendered to God's will, and delighting myself in Him. I think 90% of Christians are splashing in a puddle, when they could be swimming in the ocean. My current WIP is about this very concept, and I've struggled with writing this ALL SUMMER! LOL, I can't believe I'm typing this - I don't even know you! You struck a nerve, gal. Thank you so much for joining my blog. I look forward to getting to "know" ya, and reading more of your work.
amy - girl, thanks for opening up! i think that's what's so great about blogging. we can be encouraged so much. i really appreciate your comment and encouragement. it'll be great getting to "know" you too. :)
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Both comments and questions are welcome. I hope you enjoyed your time on the couch today.