Motivated by the ImpossibleSample

ADJUSTING OUR EXPECTATIONS

Often during current impossibilities, you will not be able to make sense of all that is transpiring. That’s okay. Take a deep breath! These pieces of the puzzle will connect more when you look back from the next destination in your life. 

An important aspect of this stage is the adjustment of expectations. When we create a mental scenario of how we think God will act, we close off our senses, perception, and ability to recognize His presence and actual ways. Additionally, we allow discouragement to creep in when we do not see God at work according to our expectations. 

People often view God as the problem if their circumstances don’t turn around immediately. Right away we choose to place blame rather than take an opportunity to find an answer. Often we accuse God for what the enemy of our souls has done. John 10:10 describes Satan as a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. If our lives look like a field of destruction, let’s accurately determine who is at work in that situation. If we blame God for something that is either our responsibility or was caused by the enemy, we will not apply the right solution to resolve the situation. We will open the doors to deceit, blindness, and more fear in our lives. 

In addition, when we blame external circumstances, not only do we lose control over the situation, but we also reinforce a wrong belief that the outside world has more control over our inside reality than it really does. It’s like being stuck inside a house with a doorknob only on the outside of the door. The outside reality has greater implications and control over you than the inside reality.

The opposite is true. When our inside world—what’s in our minds, such as beliefs, core values, and truths—is in control of our decisions, it will cause the external reality to surrender to our internal reality. It is very important to choose what we believe and what we put in our minds. Here is the reason: when the internal doesn’t match the external, a war happens in our emotions and thoughts. As a result, our bodies experience greater levels of anxiety and stress. 

Personally, I have chosen to never look at God as my problem. Rather, He is always my answer and solution to every impossibility. He is my only absolute in life. If the Word of God states that He is for us and not against us; if He is our Redeemer; if He has loved us with an everlasting love, then our truth about Him must be based not on temporary experiences but on the solidity of His character throughout the Old and New Testament. 

The moment that truth becomes an absolute fact in your mind and you believe it, you will always run to Him for comfort, answers, and strength. If you remain shaky and uncertain in your beliefs about God’s character and who He is, then you will approach every circumstance wondering, Where is God in this? rather than in the security of knowing, Because God is with me and for me, I trust Him to find the answers to these problems. I am confident in His ability to resolve the impossible! 

God’s promises are established in our lives through a revelation found only when we come to the end of ourselves and detach from the earthly approval of people or ownership of positions and possessions. A time will come when what you have in your hands (gifts, opportunities, money, success, etc.) no longer owns you but you own it, if you choose to stay on the road of perseverance.