“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Anticipating God’s Goodness
When we think about the expectations we hold, we should always center them around God’s promises. Anticipating God’s goodness allows us to remain hopeful during trials and days filled with uncertainty. He has a perfect plan for each of us, and when we align our expectations with His, we cultivate a deeper sense of trust and joy in our hearts. We are reminded to expect good things from God, for His intentions towards us are pure. The Bible encourages us that our hopes are not in vain when we place them in Him.
Psalm 27:13
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:13
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Proverbs 23:18
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18
Psalm 62:5
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” – Psalm 62:5
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.” – Isaiah 40:31
Trusting in God’s Timing
When we place our expectations in God, we also learn to trust His timing. It can be challenging to wait, but patience is part of learning and growing. We often want immediate results, but God knows the right time for everything to come into fruition. By trusting His timing, we free ourselves from disappointment and embrace the beauty of His divine order. We can find comfort in knowing that He is always working things out for our best, even if we cannot see it just yet.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Habakkuk 2:3
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3
Psalms 33:20-22
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him, our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” – Psalms 33:20-22
Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
The Power of Expectation
Expectation can empower our faith. When we look forward to what God can do in our lives, we prepare our hearts for the blessings ahead. As we practice waiting with hopeful anticipation, we build up our faith muscles. We know that God desires to do great works within us, and our expectations become a channel through which His grace can flow. With expectation, we can approach life’s challenges joyfully, trusting in God’s promises no matter how big our obstacles may seem.
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Psalms 119:81
“My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.” – Psalms 119:81
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Living with Hope
Every day offers us a new opportunity to live with hope. Our expectations can shine brightly in a world that often feels uncertain. By fostering a hopeful attitude, we can influence those around us while also uplifting ourselves. Hope intertwined with expectation ignites a passionate belief that something good is on the horizon, and it motivates us to pursue our dreams. God’s faithfulness assures us that hope is never misplaced, and together we can walk in the confidence that He is doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Psalm 39:7
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” – Psalm 39:7
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
1 Peter 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3
The Blessings of Expectation
Having expectations can lead us to experience true blessings in our lives. By anticipating God’s providence, we open ourselves to receive His blessings, big and small. Expectation positions us to discover the miracles hidden in daily life as we remain aware of His goodness and grace. Blessings flow from our ability to seek Him and acknowledge His presence in our circumstances, allowing us to celebrate the joys He places before us. The Bible teaches us that when we approach life with an expectant heart, we will witness God’s hand at work transforming our situations.
Proverbs 10:28
“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” – Proverbs 10:28
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Lamentations 3:25-26
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:25-26
Psalm 145:15
“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” – Psalm 145:15
Exodus 23:25
“Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.” – Exodus 23:25
Confidence in God’s Promises
Our expectations should always be grounded in the unchanging promises of God. We can be confident that what God has said He will do will come to pass. By trusting His Word, we align our expectations with His truth, removing any doubt or fear. The promises in the Bible serve as reminders that God is faithful and reliable. Our confidence should arise from knowing His character and trusting Him wholeheartedly, allowing us to live with an extraordinary sense of hope, courage, and assurance in our daily lives.
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
Psalms 18:30
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” – Psalms 18:30
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on expectation, we understand that it is a vital aspect of our faith. With every promise from God, we have the opportunity to expect and live with hope in our hearts. By trusting in His timing and goodness, we release our worries and prepare our hearts for what is ahead. Living with anticipation allows us to witness the blessings God pours into our lives. May we always hold onto the confidence found in His promises, and let our expectations be shaped by His unchanging love and faithfulness.
Life is about embracing hope and looking forward to tomorrow with excitement. If you feel challenged in this area, remember that it is perfectly okay to lean on God through prayer and community. Let’s cultivate our faith together and as we do, we can explore more on how to accomplish goals or seek strength in hard times.
Let’s continue growing in faith and sharing this beautiful journey with each other!