By Kristina Renee
Have you ever had any expectations that didn’t go AT ALL as planned? To make matters worse, it may have even left you feeling mad at God.
Robbed
Yup, that has been me before. My unmet expectations have robbed me of my joy, and honestly, I've spent time being more than a little upset with God.
But why would I be upset with God for something I honestly didn’t pray about and ask God, “Do you want me to do this!?”
Growing Up
I have seen the power of prayer in everything. We should pray about everything, and if you need a little help understanding why, remember, prayer:
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- helps you know God’s direction (not yours).
- teaches us humility to ask God His will and not ours.
- lowers our expectations of what we thought could have been God's idea, while raising them to discover His will.
- helps us listen to wise counsel.
Interrupted
When your plans are slightly “interrupted,” and I say that in air quotes and with love, it can help you look internally and begin to ask, why?
Wait
If you're like me, you have spent more than one conversation in prayer with God at 4:30 in the morning. It's in those times that I find He wants to teach me a new level of humility, and although it's painful, the word "Wait" still blesses me.
Waiting exceeds my expectations because it teaches us patience and it helps to develop our character more profoundly.
Romans 5:3-4 reads, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Character produces hope, and waiting produces character.
Quit Losing
You don’t lose anything when you let go. You gain more patience and strength.
Isaiah 40:31, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint."
Bitterness or Gratitude
I never want to hold up my expectations so high that when they crash, it leaves me with more bitterness and resentment than gratitude. I thank God for his renewing power. It’s new every day!
Prayer helps you let go of your expectations and your pride. At times, it even causes you to let go of your finances. There's not an area that the Lord won't convict your heart about at one point or another.
However, if you're struggling with this, repeat after me: "Lord, You are my only expectation. I believe that You will show up and be Jehovah. Nothing else matters more than that. Nothing."
Questions
1. What expectations is God asking you to let go of?
2. What is your process for letting go? Let the Holy Spirit show you what areas of your life you need to let go of.
3. Pray Isaiah 40:31 over yourself this week and listen to the song "Wait on You," by Maverick City Music. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you, move you forward, and strengthen your walk.
Kristina is a fun and energetic Bible teacher who encourages women to flourish in their purpose. Most recent author of “Strength In Him,” written from her daily quiet time with The Lord, Kristina wrote this book to encourage women to know where their strength comes from.
She is the founder and CEO of Spiritual Healing Sisterhood, Inc, where their mission is to see women healed, restored and become set free to find their true freedom in Christ. Through mentoring and discipling in a small group setting, the sisterhood has a heart to see women grow, become empowered, and healed from past hurts and trauma.
Currently, Kristina is a seminary student at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX where she plans to use her degree to make an impact on women’s ministry and Christian education. Kristina lives by Psalm 37:23, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him," because she knows that God is the only one who can make her steps firm.
Follow Kristina and her journey at www.kristinareneexo.com and on instagram @kristinareneexo.
This was a great reminder for me to wait on the Lord. When we pray, we are opening the door so why not step out of the way and let him all the way in and not try give him a helping hand? Like He needs one, lol, He’s God‼️