Overcoming Negative Expectations
Copyright 2005 Daniel N Brown
Do you wonder why many of us get the results we get despite our
desire for better. The reason is because our thoughts are
creative and determining our conditions in life.
To desire prosperity and success in life, but yet, always
expecting misfortune, or to be continually doubting our ability
to get what we truly want, is like trying to reach east by
traveling west.
A person cannot consistently doubt his or her ability to
succeed, and then succeed. These thoughts of doubt will always
attract failure.
When you are faced with a difficult circumstance do you expect
the worst or the best? Whatever we expect we attract. If it's
your habit to always expect the worst you're simply adding fuel
to the fire, creating more negative circumstances that will
create more negative expectations on your part.
Your beliefs and expectations are the driving force behind your
behaviors and your results. If your expectations are fear
driven, they will impair your normal functioning and keep you
from making positive and long lasting changes in your life.
The good news is, your beliefs and expectations are just habits.
Throughout the early years of your life you may have learned to
expect the worst. It may have been because your parents were
like that and you've adopted the same manner of thinking. Or, it
could simply be a negative attitude. But, that too, could have
been picked up by associating with someone else.
Whatever reasons you have developed these habits, if you want to
truly change your results, you must, absolutely change your
habits of expectation and learn to expect the best.
Now, here's something to think about, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith
is the substance of things hoped for." The word "substance" can
be translated to mean, "assurance" or "confidence." If you are
assured of something, or confident in it, you cannot be fearful
at the same time. In fact, you will have a positive expectation
about this thing you hope for.
Expecting the best is living a life in faith and is what will
ultimately bring you what you truly desire. Jesus said in
Matthew 9:29, "According to your faith let it be unto you."
On the other side of the coin, negative expectations are really
nothing more than a manifestation of fear. Expecting the worst,
is living a life in fear and is what will ultimately bring you
disappointment and failure. Again, Jesus' statement in Matthew
9:29 still applies, "According to your faith let it be unto
you."
Like I said before, the reason we possess positive, or negative
expectations, is simply due to habits.
We need to take whatever steps we can to change our expectations
for our expectations are the key to receiving all the good
things God has for us. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, "Whatsoever
things you desire when you pray, believe you receive them and
you shall have them."
He said believe you receive, or expect! What good does it do to
pray without expecting God to answer? You might as well be
talking to a tree. The Bible says, "Without faith, it is
impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).
A large part of our current circumstances, whether they be
positive or negative, are a result of our faith, belief, and
expectations. If we want to change our circumstances, then
obviously, we need to change our faith, belief, and
expectations.