October 1, 2026
I don't know about you, but I have some unspoken expectations in my life. I expect people to be kind and respond in that way. I expect good manners like a thank you, you're welcome, or I appreciate it. I feel like these are attainable and reasonable expectations.
I do, at times, have expectations of people who know nothing about my expectations. It's like I expect people to be able to read my mind. I expect them to help without me asking or just know when I've had a hard day and offer encouragement.
In the world we live in, some of these expectations might not happen. People are not always nice, respond correctly, have good manners, and they definitely don't just "know" when you need some encouragement or help. I am human, and when things don't happen the way I expect them to, disappointment can creep in. I have a picture in my mind of how I think people should respond or act or what an outcome should be, and at times I am just setting myself up for frustration and discouragement.
Praise God there is a difference between my human expectations and Godly hope. My expectations say, "I know how this should go." Godly hope says I don't know how or what God will do, but I trust that He is faithful and will handle it. There are examples all throughout the Bible of human expectations and how God intervened differently than what people expected.
I am sure Mary and Martha expected Jesus to rush to heal Lazarus before he died. Jesus arrived after his death but exceeded their expectations when He brought Lazarus back to life.
Then there was Naaman, who expected the prophet Elisha to call on the Lord to cure him of his leprosy. Instead, Naaman was asked to dip in a muddy river by a messenger. Little did Naaman know that this was God's plan. He just wanted Naaman to surrender his expectations and trust and obey to receive his healing.
We all have expectations. We can expect a person to treat us differently, a different outcome to a plan, or shouldn't this have happened by now.
My expectations are based on what "I" believe should happen. Godly hope is based solely on God, who He is and what He promises.
My expectations focus on the outcome, whether I voice it or just have it in my mind. Godly hope focuses on God.
I don't necessarily think my expectations are a bad thing. I can sincerely have the desire for people to be kind, help when needed, a certain outcome or goal in my life. However, I must hold my expectations with open hands before God. I can never take my hope and trust off of Him. I have to believe God regardless of what happens. He sees the entire picture, and I only see a glimpse.
I must be willing to surrender my expectations of people, problems, and life and place them in my hope in God. I will be honest and say that I have the tendency to make a permanent conclusion from my disappointments from unmet expectations. I have to realize that my conclusions go beyond what I actually know. I have to look for the truth God provides and trust Him. Even though I might not understand the why, I can always trust the One who never fails - God.
Don't let your unmet expectations steal your peace or your joy. Romans 5:5 says, "Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Godly hope says God's plan doesn't have to look like my plan for Him to be faithful. We might not know how things will turn out, but our unmet expectations do not get the final word. God does. Place your hope in God because we can always trust Him with whatever comes next.
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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
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