Discouragement can be caused by natural circumstances or demonic attack. We are now discussing the natural causes of discouragement…
2. The Expectations We Have From God (1)
Psalm 119:49-50 AMP
“[49] Remember [always] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have made me hope. [50] This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me and given me life.”
Our unfulfilled expectations from God can cause anxiety and frustration, if we haven’t come to a better understanding of who He is and how He works. We have expectations of what He is doing or might do for us; of what He meant when He gave us His promises. We have expectations of a reward, often thinking that God would do ‘this,’ if we did ‘that.” When these expectations are not met, we often end up disappointed and discouraged; leading to doubt, unbelief and loss of faith in God.
MY EXPECTATIONS OF GOD
I have GREAT EXPECTATIONS from God! Thirty years ago, this year, the Lord called me to leave everything I was doing and follow Him. As usual, the call came with many grand promises, which I recorded for posterity. If I remained faithful to Him and His call on my life, He would bless me mightily and do awesome things with me to bring glory to His name. Thus, throwing all caution to the wind, I answered “Yes” to the call!
Looking back, I can categorically and emphatically say that although the journey has been fruitful, it has not entirely gone as I anticipated; which also contributed to my recent experience of discouragement. God is not a man to lie, everything He says is true and every promise of His is sure; so why has the journey not gone as I expected and the anticipated destination still seems elusive? Did I make a mistake in answering the call; did I hear God right? Or did the Father move the goalpost and change the course of play?
Unfortunately, when we hear God’s word and promises, we interpret and process them through our own thoughts, understanding, expectations and timeframes; then we get disappointed when our expectations are not met.
Actually, the problem is not God’s, but ours! The Father has already distinguished Himself and informed us that His thoughts and ways of doing things are different from ours…
Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT
“[8] My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. [9] For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Several years ago, to help me cope better with discouragement, I tried to convince myself that God did not make those promises to me; that I heard wrong. This of course made things worse as it appeared that I had wasted many years believing in a lie! Thankfully, the Father in His mercy spoke to me and said…
“Do not downgrade your expectations to accommodate your doubt, unbelief and fears; for I am able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all that you desire, ask or think. Every dry bone shall live!!! The Lord is at hand!”
The Father does not want us to downgrade our expectations of Him. He wants us to believe and trust Him. He wants us to hold on to every promise He has ever made to us. He wants us to maintain confidence in Him, despite the challenges, limitations and delays.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV
“[17] Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- [18] Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. [19] The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
“[13] I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. [14] Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!”
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)