Expect nothing and you will not be disppointed?

I read a quote recently that had everything in me going NO WAY that is not right.  It is said "Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed."  At first glance, it doesn't seem to be a bad thing.  It seems rather harmless doesn't it?  Actually, it appears to even be a good thing.  Oh yes, this is a perfect guard against disappointments and failures.  It seems perfectly logical to live by such a decree and perhaps even to get a verse or two to make it more spiritual.  It is written, some may add, that we should "guard our hearts..."(Prov 4:23). Amen the congregation shouts in hearty agreement.

However, I have come to challenge this way of thinking.  I have come to say NO WAY to this erroneous, life killing, faith destroying, and God denying words of thought.  AM I being a bit dramatic?  Perhaps, but don't dismiss me just yet.  Hear me out.  To expect nothing may keep you from being disappointed but it also keeps you from being fulfilled.  It keeps you out of the race and out of the loop for the best things God has to offer you.  It keeps you from reaching out and taking what God wants to give to you if you would only expect Him to do so. 

Doesn't it say in the bible that we ought to wait for and hope for and expect the Lord (Psalm 27:14)?  He says when we expect from Him, He will even exceed our expectations (Eph 3:20).  He wants to go beyond what we even imagine is possible?  He wants us to be of good courage and with stout hearts expect Him to do not just the possible but the impossible.  He wants us to leap by faith, using the net of expectations in Him.  He, God, says you can trust Him.  Those whose hope and trust is in Him will not and I repeat, will NOT be disappointed (Isa 49:23).

So dear friends, I want to inspire you to expect from God again.  Don't think for one minute that the safe route of having no expectations from anyone is the best route.  I want to tell you that it isn't.  It is a lie from the father of all lies - the Devil himself (John 8:44).  He wants us to be dissatisfied in this short life here on earth as well as disqualify us for the life hereafter.  However, God says no.  He offers you the abundant life and it doesn't start at the door of Heaven.  It starts right here and right now.  So go ahead and dream, anchoring your expectations in a God who is faithful and will do all that He promised to do and more. 

Here are some good verses to amp up your Expectation in God.  Enjoy the read.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Expectations/

God has not Forgotten

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

How many of us have had moments where we just plum forgot what we were saying, doing or anything else? My sister in law has had to live down forgetting how to get home from just a few streets from her house. She just couldn’t remember how to get to the house she has lived in for years. Have you forgotten people? I know I have. Chances are if I start calling you honey or sweet endearments I can’t remember your name. I have forgotten where I parked my car or even which car I drove to the store that day.

By now my point is well established, we forget. Curiously, we forget what we should remember and forget what we should we should hold fast.  Things like past hurts or offences are what we often choose to hold close like treasures worth millions.  Instead we forget our God. We forget who He is and what He promised. We forget His word; his truth; His name.

Now don’t feel bad. You are not alone and I don’t mean just me. Remember the disciples who walked with Jesus for three years? Well Jesus told them of ever that will happen. He told them of his death and resurrection. He told them of what was to come so that when it happened they would remember and believe. Yet, at the time he was arrested they fled. Peter denied Christ and the others fled to safety.  They forgot that the trouble had a good end. They forgot that Jesus was mighty and not just a man but God Himself in the flesh. They forgot to trust the truth.

As much as we forget God doesn’t forget those that are for Him. He has in fact personally engraved us on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). He says that He is  not like us. He will not forget us even if a mom forgets her child He will never forget us. Isn’t that comforting to know. It is good to know that I can depend on my Father to never leave me not forsake me. Simply, He doesn’t forget!