It was a late afternoon when I called a close friend to speak on how disappointed I felt that something didn’t happen how I wanted it to or expected it. Her response left me floored. It was simply ‘check your expectations’. I had to sit with that one for a bit, but then I finally understood. Waiting expectantly does not mean waiting with expectations.
Expectant (v) – being hopeful or eagerly awaiting something good
Our expectations are the thoughts, ideas or plans about what will or should happen. When we live with expectations, we are looking at our circumstances. We open the door for disappointment, worry, resentment and frustration. We hold on to our own thoughts and ideas, our own timeline and plans above the will of God. When we focus on our expectations, our focus shifts from above to what is in front of us. We forget that God is here. We forget that His ways are not our ways. We forget to surrender and submit to His will.
Expectancy, on the other hand, is one that hopes. It has faith that good will come (Romans 8:28). It releases expectations of what will happen or how it will come about. It trusts in God. Expectation will say ‘I will have a job at 28’. Expectancy will say ‘I don’t know when or how, but I know I will get a job, and it will be good’. It doesn’t mean that you don’t do work, like getting an education and experience required to get a job or sending job applications. But the way in which you believe the opportunity will come, and how, must be released.
We are called to wait expectantly on God, trusting that He will fulfill His Word. We are to release our expectations and surrender it to Him, knowing that things will all work out for our good.