Tuesday // 22nd October 2024
Let your expectations from men die !
God is our witness that when we came to encourage you, we never once used cunning compliments as a pretext for greed, nor did we crave the praises of men, whether you or others.
1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 TPT
If you live from expectation from people, you’ll experience constant frustration and even anger, because life has a tendency for dashing our expectations. To be more precise, don’t expect too much even from God’s people. If you do, disappointment will surely follow. If you are in ministry, lower your expectations. Really low 🙂.
Keep in mind that when it came to God’s work, Paul, built the people well (see 1 Corinthians 3). Even then, he couldn’t prevent the terrible conflict that took place in Corinth, Philippi, Galatia, Rome, etc. Paul trusted his ability to build with imperishable materials as he relied on God’s power working through him. Yet on the other hand, he didn’t expect too much out of God’s people, as he was well acquainted with the frailty of the human condition. This is why he wasn’t devastated when he found out that the Corinthians slept with prostitutes, got drunk at the Lord’s Supper, took one another to court, fractured the church over their favorite apostle, and even denied the resurrection.
On the contrary, he writes with grace and kindness, steadfastly reminding the Corinthians who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them. This is Amazing! Thankfully, we have an infinitely patient Lord. With you, with me, and with all of His people. “He knows the worst about you and is the One who loves you the most.”
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin