Faith's Expectation: Have What You Truly Deserve

In Matthew 9:29, Jesus said to the blind, You will have what your faith expects. This statement, also referred to as Have what your faith expects, is a powerful reminder that our expectations play a significant role in shaping our reality. According to Idowu Omisore, our expectations can be likened to a magnet, attracting the very things we anticipate. This concept is further reinforced by Pastor Chris Huff, who emphasizes that our faith in God should be strong enough to know that we will receive what He wants for us.

The idea of having what your faith expects is not about getting what we want but about trusting God to provide what He knows is best for us. It is about actively pursuing a relationship with Him, depending on His power working in us, and anticipating His work in our lives. This mindset shift frees us from performance-based thinking and allows us to deeply enjoy our relationship with God.

Expect the best, not the worst

Expecting the best and not the worst is a powerful mindset that can help you achieve your goals and dreams. Here are some reasons why you should adopt this mindset:

Raising Your Expectations

Some people's expectations are too low and uninspiring. Having high expectations for yourself and your life can motivate you to work harder and reach your full potential. If you expect the best, you will attract positive situations and opportunities that bring out the best in you. On the other hand, if you expect the worst, you may unknowingly manifest it into reality.

Overcoming Negative Experiences

Don't let past negative experiences or failures hold you back. It's important to learn from them but don't let them influence your expectations for the future. Take the example of the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible. Despite her negative experiences, she decided to go to Jesus with positive expectations, and she was healed. Her faith and expectations tapped into a divine power that brought about her healing.

Expecting the Best from Others

Having high expectations for others can also be beneficial. If you expect the worst from people, that's what you'll get. However, if you believe in the good in people and expect the best from them, you may be pleasantly surprised. This doesn't mean ignoring red flags or being naive, but giving people the benefit of the doubt and believing in their capacity for growth and change.

The Power of Faith and Expectation

Faith and expectation are closely linked. When you have faith and truly expect something to happen, you are more likely to take action and make it a reality. This doesn't mean that you will always get what you want, but it means trusting that God or the universe will give you what is best for you. Like David facing Goliath, have faith that God will give you victory over the giants in your life.

Putting it into Practice

To put this mindset into practice, keep your expectations high and positive. Don't give up on your dreams, and while you're waiting for them to manifest, keep working hard and listening for wisdom. Be careful not to confuse expectation with entitlement. You still need to put in the work and show up for yourself and others. Expecting the best is about maintaining a positive outlook and believing that good things are possible, even in the face of challenges.

Don't let negative experiences influence your expectations

It's easy to let negative experiences affect your expectations. When you've faced disappointment, failure, or rejection, it's natural to start expecting the worst to protect yourself from further pain. However, it's crucial to remember that your faith should not be influenced by these negative experiences.

The Bible offers a powerful example of this in the story of the woman with the issue of blood. Despite her past negative experiences, she chose to go to Jesus with positive expectations, and as a result, she was healed. Her faith and positive expectation drew power from Jesus, and her life was transformed.

Another example is found in Matthew 9:27-31, where two blind men followed Jesus, crying out for healing. Despite the challenges they faced, they had faith that Jesus could heal them, and they received their sight.

These stories illustrate the importance of keeping your expectations high and positive, even in the face of negative experiences. It's essential to understand that your expectations have the power to shape your reality. If you expect the best, you invite situations that bring out the best in you. On the other hand, if you expect the worst, unseen forces will make it happen.

So, how can you ensure that negative experiences don't influence your expectations? Here are some practical steps:

• Recognize the impact of your expectations: Understand that your expectations are like a magnet, attracting what you focus on. Realize that negative expectations can become self-fulfilling prophecies, leading to a cycle of disappointment.
• Reframe your perspective: When faced with a negative experience, try to shift your perspective. Instead of dwelling on the disappointment, look for the lesson or the silver lining. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?" or "How can I grow from this experience?"
• Cultivate gratitude: Make it a habit to focus on the positive aspects of your life. Each day, take a few moments to reflect on the things you're grateful for. This practice will help you maintain a positive mindset and set positive expectations.
• Surround yourself with positivity: The people you spend time with can significantly influence your expectations and outlook. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging individuals who uplift and inspire you. Their faith and optimism will rub off on you.
• Take action: Don't let negative experiences discourage you from taking risks or pursuing your dreams. Instead, view setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Keep working towards your goals, listening for whispers of wisdom along the way.

Remember, just as the blind men received their sight because of their faith, you too can "have what your faith expects." So, keep your faith strong, maintain positive expectations, and don't let negative experiences hold you back. Your change is coming!

Expectation is a magnet

Expectation is indeed a magnet, and a powerful one at that.

The expectations we have for ourselves are incredibly powerful. They can be a magnet for success, or a weight that holds us back. Our expectations are the stories we tell ourselves about how our lives will go. They are different from mere wishes or wants.

Research has shown that students with low expectations for academic achievement, even with high hopes, performed poorly when compared to students with high expectations. Dozens of studies have shown that the expectations we have for ourselves, and that others have for us, can influence actual performance.

High expectations can include the motivation and willingness to act on our goals. Low expectations often come with the opposite. When we expect the best, we invite situations that will bring out the best in us. If we expect the worst, unseen forces will make it happen.

Jesus once said to the blind, "Have what your faith expects", and the eyes of the blind were opened. So, if the blind person had been expecting money, they would have received money.

Keep your expectations high and positive. Your help is on the way. While expecting, keep working and listening for whispers of wisdom. Don't give up on yourself.

God doesn't demand perfection

While some Christians believe that God demands perfection, others disagree. Here are some perspectives on why God doesn't demand perfection:

God's Grace and Power

The pursuit of perfection can lead to a denial of our dependence on God. Our failures, mistakes, and flaws remind us of our need for God and draw us closer to Him. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." By embracing our weaknesses, we can delight in the power of Christ that resides within us. This perspective shifts the focus from our own efforts to achieve perfection to a reliance on God's grace and power.

Free Will and Guidance

God has given humans free will, allowing us to make our own choices and decisions. While the Bible serves as a guidebook, offering recommendations and examples for how to live, it does not provide a mandate for every situation. We are called to follow God's example and walk in the way of love, as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us (Ephesians 5:1-2). However, this does not mean we will ever become perfect like God; rather, it is a continuous process of maturing in our faith and striving to live a life of love.

A Misunderstanding of "Perfection"

The command to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) has been interpreted in different ways. Some scholars suggest that the original Greek word for "perfect" could be more accurately translated as "mature" or "complete." From this perspective, the verse is not demanding unattainable perfection but encouraging believers to grow and mature in their faith, knowing that true perfection will only be achieved in heaven.

A Call to Holiness

While God may not demand perfection in the sense of an absence of mistakes or flaws, He does call us to holiness. As Peter writes in his first letter, "As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). Holiness is about being set apart for God's purposes and reflecting His character. It is a process of sanctification, where we are gradually transformed into the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.

God wants you to trust him

Trusting God is a choice. It is about having faith in what He says even when your feelings or circumstances might lead you to believe something different.

Seek Truth in Scripture

God's Word is unchanging and completely trustworthy. It is a strong foundation to stand on when you feel uncertain. The Bible is God's unfailing, unchanging Word, and you can cling to its truth when life gets difficult.

Be Honest with God

You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust Him. You can ask Him to help you believe what He says is true. Confession helps you to humble yourself and allows you to grow in trust.

Share Your Concerns With Your Community

You are not facing difficult times alone. God gives you other believers to walk with you. They can remind you of God's character through encouragement and accountability. They can pray for and support you. They can remind you of the truth when you are struggling.

Remember God and Spend Time With Him

God wants you to come to Him with your circumstances, but He also wants you to come to Him to spend time with Him. Establishing a consistent time with the Lord when things are going well will help you continue to go to Him when things get rough. Read His Word, spend time in prayer, meet with other believers, and serve those around you. These practices will help you see God outside of difficult things and will establish trust in your heart that He will move in your circumstances.

Look for Things to Be Grateful For

Difficult circumstances can be all-consuming, but God's grace is in all things. Giving thanks fights the lie that everything is horrible. Trust grows as you look for God's presence in what feels dark and heavy. He never leaves.

Walk in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit lives in anyone who trusts in Jesus, and He is your constant helper, pointing you to Jesus. He will lead you in obedience and bring direction to you. He will not always give you the big picture, but He will show you the next step. Walking closely with the Spirit will give you direction and remind you that you are not alone.

Frequently asked questions