Yesterday in my time with the Lord, I heard these words “False expectations”.
As I meditated on them through the day the Lord showed me that.
False expectations are those things that we put on ourselves or allow others to put on us. Which lead us away from the true calling and purpose for our lives.
They come through the words we speak or allow others to speak over us like:
I should be able to……….
or
I am sure you can do………….
and
I see you doing this………….
Often these false expectations, lead us into false security and self-worth.
A few days ago we talked about. Where do your affirmations come which is pivotal to the subject today?
For affirmations can lead us to false expectations. If we receive them from the wrong place and acted on them the wrong way.
Saul receives false expectations from the people he was then called to lead. He also builts false expectations on Samuels return and also in God. On top of this, he built false expectations of himself as a king. This leads him to do things he was never called to do. Also become a man and king he was never meant to be. As a result, he never became the king the Lord so hoped he would be. He simply lost it all in a moment and a decision based on false expectations.
You will read about this in 1 Samuel 13:8-14
As we look at the story of Saul it is easy to judge. But this could very easily be us if we walk in the same ways.
To be honest I thank the Lord for the season of grace we are in. As I think my ending could have ended as Saul did as a leader. How about you?
So how do we recognise, react and walk away from false expectations?
As with any word that comes our way. Wether in the natural or in the spirit we need to test everyone of them.
I think the easiest way to do this is to look at all expectations through the lens of the Lord, His promises, His plan and His nature.
For example,
Has He asked you to do it?
Do you have a
promise from Him behind it?
Has He been preparing you for it?
Can you sense His Love directly towards it?
If not lay it down at His feet and walk away.
If it’s is right He will ask you to pick it back up.
He is a good Daddy who wants the best for his children, He will never let you down.
So here is your challenge today.
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the expectations you have on yourself.
2. For each expectation: Ask the following questions: Has He ask you to do it? Do you have a promise from Him behind it? Has He been preparing you for it? Can you sense His Love directly towards it?
3. If yes then ask Him what is the next step in seeing the fulfilment in this area of your life. If not lay it down and walk away from it.
4. Write down everything He has revealed to you.
5. Thank the Lord for what He has done for you today.
Father, I pray help us to truly understand your ways. Father teach us your expectaions of us for our time on earth Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerater Pastors / Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
