Expectations Toward God


  • What are Expectations
  • Erroneous Expectations Toward God
  • Healthy Expectations Toward God and Life
  • God’s Promises We Can Count On
  • How to Adjust Our Expectations


What are Expectations

  • Definition: To think something will probably or certainly happen.
  • Our history/experiences inform/confirm what most likely will happen.
  • Something that was taught us.
  • Something we saw happen with others and assume will also happen with us. This includes what we see in the media and on social media.
  • Sometimes we experience something as our “right” to have/obtain.
  • True expectations are to be: 
    • Discussed.
    • Doable.
    • Agreed upon by all parties involved.

Without these components, it’s our desire, wishful thinking, or fantasy.


Erroneous Expectations Toward God

  • "God is the Giver of good things, so He will never allow anything but good things for us: Physically, financially, professionally, interpersonally, socially, and familial."
  • We think if we’ve lived “right,” God will certainly bless us with good things.
  • “Bad things wouldn’t happen to those who fear or love God:” God will always be “good” to us and protect us from all harm, disease, suffering, or struggles, because He loves us, and He is a God of love and blessings.
  • Transactional mindset: We do right by God, He is obligated to give us what we want and deserve.
  • We think we can apply God’s promises in every situation, after all, Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name…” (John 14: 13a), without reading the rest of the verse: “…so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (14:13b).” Or, even after reading the rest of the verse – We figure God will be glorified if He blesses us; protects us from harm; keeps us in good health; spares us from suffering, disappointment or pain.
  • We “hold God accountable” when we’ve lived according to His instruction, then He will deliver on His promise – even when it involves someone else’s volition and decision-making. For example, some have heard from God that He was going to bless them with a particular life partner. However, that person refuses to cooperate with God or obey His instructions. We still demand that God deliver on His promise.
  • We think nothing bad will happen to our health, mental health, or finances when we serve God or are living for or serving Him.


Healthy Expectations Toward God and Life

  • God is not a genie.
  • God is not our servant.
  • God is sovereign.
  • God is eternal: He exists from the beginning to the end; From eternity to eternity.
  • God’s will is to bring about His glory (not ours).
  • God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 59:8-9).
  • God is always playing the long game, not the short and temporary: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) - God works out what is best for us in the lens of eternity, not what’s temporary. 
  • God is working in us to transform us to become more and more like Him, not the temporary “blessings” He can grant us here on earth.
  • “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
    • "...we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).
    • “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
  • We need to truly know God before we can set realistic expectations toward Him, otherwise, our expectations are coming out of our entitlement, demands, wishful thinking, and magical thinking.
  • We need to look at the entirety of the Bible to understand Who God is, His will, sovereignty, desires, love, and how He views and interacts with us.
  • God’s got us! He is in control. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows what He’s doing to bring about HIS glory.
  • God does not give us what we want/demand. He gives us what is best for us: God is in the business of molding us, transforming us to become more and more like Him – our Maker and the Lover of our souls.
  • It’s about God, NOT about us.
  • God is GOD, we are human, frail, and powerless. We are but dust: From dust to dust we will return. God lasts forever, while our time on earth is momentary. Therefore, we need to submit to God’s sovereign will.
  • It is a given that we all will die, and there are many toils while we are on this side of heaven. We will experience difficulties in life. However, God promises to be with us throughout life.
  • There will be no pain, suffering, or disease on the other side of heaven.


God’s Promises We Can Count On

There are two types of promises from God: Unconditional ones ~ Regardless of what we do or don’t do, He will still do this part; Conditional ones ~ When we do our part, God will do His part.

The following are just some examples of God’s promises.

Unconditional Promises of God:

  • God is faithful. God has a covenantal relationship with us. The difference between a regular covenantal (contractual) relationship between two human parties vs between God and us is this: When one party of this covenant fails to do their part, the other party is freed from holding their end of the covenant. However, when we fail in holding up our end of the bargain, God still holds up His end: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
  • God has not promised us life without pain. But He promises to be with us in our journey: 
    • “…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). 
    • So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
    • “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
  • As we go through life’s difficulties, Jesus reminds us that He’s got us. He is in charge, and He is all-powerful: 
  • “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
  • “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2). God is with us in the rivers and the flames of life. He will sustain us spiritually and mentally amid our trials – if we lean on Him.
  • “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
  • “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Conditional Promises of God:

  • “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). When we first seek God’s will and glory, He will give us what we need in our lives.
  • “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). We will be able to hear and experience God when we seek Him with all our heart.
  • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). When we put our trust in God rather than in our limited understanding, and when we submit to God in all things, He will guide and direct our paths.
  • "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). When we go to God for direction and wisdom in life’s decisions, He will generously answer and direct us.


How to Adjust Our Expectations

  • There are unconditional promises from God, as well as conditional ones. Do not expect God to “deliver” His promises without us doing our part on the conditional ones. 
  • Study the Bible to know God and what His will and promises are.
  • Examine our expectations toward God - especially when we are disappointed or angry with God.
  • Look to the Bible to see whether our expectations align with His promises.
  • Submit our expectations to God.
  • Exchange our unbiblical expectations with biblical ones by replacing them with their opposite truths from the Bible. Some examples:
    • When we find ourselves angry at God during difficulty, we recognize that we expect no difficulties in life: We admit and replace this unbiblical expectation with God’s truth from John 16:33.
    • When we feel hopeless in our life’s situation, we recognize that we are doubting God’s sovereignty and provision: We admit and replace this unbiblical expectation with God’s truth from Jeremiah 29:11 ~ “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
    • When we are exhausted from waiting on God to answer our prayer, we recognize that we expect God to do at our bidding, even in our “godly” requests: We admit and replace this unbiblical expectation with God’s truth in Lamentations 3:25-26 ~ “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” We hold on to God’s goodness even as we continue to wait for His response. Remembering that God’s response is not necessarily what we want or hope for, even when it doesn’t make sense to our limited minds (Isaiah 59:8-9).



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