The Radiant Mission Podcast | Episode 22
Host: Rebecca Twomey @theradiantmission
Co-Host: Rachel Smith
Thank you for listening to The Radiant Mission podcast! We are on a mission to encourage and inspire you on your walk with Christ and as you journey through life.
In Episode 22 we dive into a topic that causes a lot of pain for many: expectations. What we think and feel is directly tied to our mental health, so we felt it was important to discuss how expectations can be a thief of our joy and how awareness of this can help.
In This Episode on Expectations are a Thief of Joy:
Defining Expectations
- According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “the act or state of expecting : anticipation in expectation of what would happen.”Hebrew “Tikvah” means “cord, hope, expectation, ground of hope, things hoped for, outcome.”
- An expectation is a hope that something will or will not happen. Hope can be very positive, but the danger comes when the expectation built in our minds is not met. Example: having an expectation that everything will go perfectly during birth.
- The difference between Biblical hope and worldly expectation. How often do we have expectations of our spouse? Then we’re disappointed when they don’t read our mind.
Expectations Lead to Disappointment
- Our expectations change as our lives change.
- Whenever an expectation isn’t met, it results in a negative emotion like contention, anger, disappointment, frustration, general friction between us and another person. Expectations are a thief of joy.
- Expectations can lead to comparison, which is another thief of joy!Children are sponges and mirrors—they mimic what they see.
- We often have expectations of others, but none when it comes to ourselves.
- Praying for the Lord’s will to be done—and for Him to prepare our hearts for his will—provides the peace of the Lord.You can find contentment even in the worst of circumstances if your heart is in the right place.
- Our end goal is not happiness in this life—it’s being in the kingdom with Christ. What we’re experiencing are the trials that will sanctify us. In this life we’re being crushed and polished like a diamond. Being content through it all is key.
- We’re going to have disappointments in this life, but the Lord has a plan. He is our comforter. Putting our faith and trust in the Lord will help alleviate a lot of our pain. We can all walk in the joy of the Lord!
Bible Verses Mentioned:
Proverbs 10:27-29
The fear of the Lord adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Psalm 62:5
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Resources Mentioned:
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