Realistic Expectations

Life is a gift.  Healing is a gift.  Any day of health and sanity is something we can’t take credit for but is something we receive from God.  Do we dare to hope that we and our loved ones can live the lives we were created to experience and enjoy?  What’s a realistic expectation to hold?

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  

Ephesians 2:8-10

Addiction and dysfunctional behaviour– our own or of others around us is a time of chaos, desperation, and often hopelessness.  Early days of treatment or time in recovery hold both the promise of change but also bring along a challenge to patience because the road ahead towards positive change and stability looks long.

Is it realistic to believe that there is a good life ahead for us? Well, Jesus said if we walk with Him, we will have life to the full and if Jesus said it, we have every reason to believe it is true.

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10b

God’s desire and plan has always been to rescue us from the disaster and chaos of harsh and rebellious actions.  Jesus, who knew no sin became sin for us, so that by believing in Him we might become children of God. 

As a loving Father cares for His children, God will lead and guide us in the way we are to go.  God will provide for all our needs.  These are reliable and realistic expectations that we can expect to receive each day as we walk with God.

I will generously provide all you need.  Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus and the life we have received through Him. You are offering us a day, today, for us to rejoice and be glad in. 

Many of us face challenging things that are beyond our control and we don’t want to live pessimistic but we do want to have realistic expectations.

Help us to trust you for all our needs.  Help us to pray for our loved ones who are struggling and to do all we can to affirm them as they seek peace and a life of meaning and purpose.

Help us to trust you for Your abundant provisions, so we face our day well and live settled in the fact that we have plenty of whatever we need left over to share with others.  Amen

Realistic expectations always carry hope and always need to be rooted in all that God is doing – whether we can see what that is today or not.