Next Steps
Answer the following questions, journal about them, pray about them, or discuss them with a counselor or trusted friend.
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What are some unmet expectations that you had of your parents? Your spouse? Your children? Your boss? Your friends? Think about these expectations objectively. Are they appropriate or fair to expect of those people? Are they directed to the right people, or are you looking to the wrong source for your expectations to be met? If your expectations are appropriate and rightly directed, ask God to help you forgive and to heal those broken places in your heart. If your expectations are not healthy, commit now to redirect your expectations where they belong and to have grace for the ones who don’t meet up to your high standards. Also, make sure you genuinely apologize and ask for forgiveness from the people you’ve hurt by your expectations, as it will help to facilitate not only their healing, but yours as well.
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What expectations have you had of yourself that are not healthy or realistic? Can you release yourself from that responsibility? Ask and allow God to meet your needs and to help you have greater grace for yourself in the midst of your own expectations.
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What unmet expectations do you have of God? Are these healthy expectations? Remember that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (
Isaiah 55:9). Also remember that His plans for us are good—to prosper us and not to harm us (
Jeremiah 29:11). Now, ask God to forgive you for expecting Him to do your will, and ask Him to show you how He’s working even your unmet expectations for your good and for His glory.
Now pray this prayer with us:
God, there have been so many unmet expectations in my life, and I need Your healing, Your peace, and Your redemption. Forgive me, Lord, of where I’ve turned to others to meet the needs that only You can provide. I trust You as my provider, and I look to You to meet all my needs—in Your time and in Your way. Forgive me for expecting that You would come through for me in certain ways that were not Your will, and forgive me for the bitterness I’ve held against You for that. I know that You love me and that You have the very best in store for me. Teach me to trust deeper every day, and help me to lean fully on the promises You've given me. I love You, God. Amen.
Portions of this section were taken from Matthew Bauer's book, The Journey to Freedom. To learn more about dealing with failure, click here to order the book, and continue your journey to overcoming failure and finding fulfillment in your true God-given identity.
BUY NOW: The Journey to Freedom - Navigating the Roadblocks to Abundant Living - by Matthew Bauer