Expectations

We all have them.

Some things exceed our expectations. And some things do not match up.

From little things to big things, we all have expectations. And its not necessarily bad to have them. Even reasonable expectations can go unmet.

This is not how I thought my life (job, child, marriage, vehicle, retirement, ___________ – fill in the blank) was going to be.

And yet, here we are.

Of course, if something exceeds expectations, it’s awesome.

But, if we spent years dreaming about or Pinteresting our wedding, our career, our perfect home, our perfect children, and perfect life, things will fall short. Not to mention we can watch what everyone else is doing on IG and FB and feel like our corner of the world is falling apart.

And, even if we haven’t done that but have generally reasonable expectations, it can still be a shock to the system that things are not going how we kind of thought they would go.

I think it is important to notice that there is something that isn’t lining up. Adjust expectations where they can be and address the ones that are non-negotiable.

When I am disappointed by how things are going, I first acknowledge how I am feeling. Sometimes I go through a range of emotions like anger, sadness, frustration, or grief before I recognize that I am disappointed. Maybe a little hurt is mixed in there. I ask myself, “What is bugging me?”

Then I look at what I can do to make adjustments:

Am I expecting too much?
Am I expecting too little?
Am I off base altogether?

And then I ask God to show me what’s next.

If you have found yourself in a place where you are disappointed about the trajectory of the way things are going, check in with a few solid people and share your concerns.

Acknowledge your fears and frustrations, even if only to you and God.

And then talk with God about it more. Write it out. Speak it out. Whisper it out.

As you process your thoughts and feelings and pray about it, I trust God will give you His insight.

Blessings on your day!
Liz