Dealing with Unrealistic Expectations
Practicing Patience with God
Reflection By Scott Stoner
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
- Luke 1:46-48
One of the root causes of impatience, whether with ourselves, others, or with God, is unrealistic expectations. I can become impatient with myself or others because there is some goal I have set that is not being met in the way I desire. Similarly, I can become impatient with God because God is not answering my prayers according to my plans and assumptions. The common theme here is my unrealistic and self-centered expectations. Too often the temptation is there for me to try and bend life and others, including God, to the needs of my own ego.
It is not unusual to struggle with unrealistic expectations this time of year. Maybe this holiday season isn’t going as we expected. It is easy to get fooled by social media posts that show everyone else having the “perfect” Christmas. Naming and letting go of any unrealistic expectations can help us reconnect with the spiritual meaning of Advent and Christmas, something the dominant culture around us often fails to understand.
Mary and Joseph undoubtedly had expectations for how their lives would unfold, and it is safe to say that they could never have expected what happened to them. And yet, this week’s Bible stories tell of how they let go of their expectations and learned to trust God in a whole new way. May we be inspired by these stories and do the same.
Making It Personal: Are you aware of any unrealistic expectations you are carrying right now, either of yourself, others, or of God? What can help you to let go and make room for the experience of God’s presence in your life today and for the remaining days of Advent?
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