Yes, me, too. For twenty plus years, I’ve struggled with expecting positive reactions from people, only to be dissatisfied with the results. Maybe like me, you too expect to be treated a certain way or be given a specific amount of attention. As you might remember, we’ve been disappointed more than once. And we’ve also been hurt by others. They have not followed through the way we think they should. It helps to pull back to try to figure out why we feel this way.

During a recent quiet time, in a quiet whisper, God has gently spoken to me, “Sheryl, expect to receive from me, not people. People will always disappoint you. I never will. I Am everything you need.” Once my enemy, now my ally, my expectations help keep me focused. I am expecting and excitedly anticipating receiving from God, not people. I am learning to thank God for every disappointment – and when I choose this reaction, the disappointment becomes His reappointment.

No more looking back with regret, I am moving forward with resolve. I am letting go of expectations and that’s how I can increase my anticipation of receiving only God’s best. To do this I must embrace God’s love for me and believe He is committed to my growth and proud of me as His growing child. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past, see, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

I’ve learned to implement the three “B’s”

1.Be careful to stay focused on Him. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

2. Be confident in God’s power. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and fawning fear) but (he has given us a spirit) of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”2 Timothy 1:7AMP

3. Be certain – God is going to do something you least expect. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians5:17

Mark Twain said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Let’s push away from doubt, fear, procrastination and expectation as we release the past so we can embrace His plans.Philippians 3:13-14NIV reminds us,

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Push away from doubt, fear, procrastination & expectation to embrace His plans.

Let’s pray, Father, thank you for helping me to anticipate receiving from you. Help me to share and show your love today as I can boldly face the future. In Jesus name, Amen

This article first appeared http://www.leadlikejesus.com/blog/enemy-expectations