JOURNEY FROM EXPECTATION TO HOPE | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2021

Author: Rani George

intro: Rani tells us that expectations lead to despair and anguish while hope brings us peace and joy for we rely not on our will but God’s.

Expectation can lead to despair whereas hope leads to peace, joy and life in fullness. For me, expectation has always created some sort of craving or vacuum within, that eventually would wreck my peace and harmony. When I expect people to come around to my understanding and liking, it only fuels the urge to fulfil my desires.  

One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that it is hard to meet the expectations of others. The people involved in our relationships, interactions, etc. are those who battle with their expectations and struggle to attain fullness of life themselves. Hope lives in me because of the Father who created me in His own image and likeness for a special purpose; one who is capable of filling all my vacuums and limitations. He alone can accept and understand me the way I am. He alone brings me joy and has greater plans for me, far beyond that which I can imagine or dream of.

Though I can handle my emotions well outside, at home it is not always easy. This could be the same for most of us. It’s quite difficult to change perspectives from expectation to hope, but the result is immense when we succeed at it. Let’s see how it is possible:

Expectation Hope

• I might be healed of this sickness.         With the grace of God, I will be strengthened.

• My spouse never understands me.         My spouse is God’s gift to me.

• My child might score better this time.           God will provide what is needed for my children.

• This month I’ll get a salary hike.          God’s grace is sufficient for me.

In the above statements, those in the first column are expectations and there is no surety of their fulfilment, which leads to anguish and despair because there is lack of faith. At the same time the second column represents the hope that leads to peace and joy. There the person trusts in God’s plan and waits for God’s time. 

For many years, I repeatedly failed to handle certain areas in life where I struggled a lot. Like finding tiny stones in a mouthful of a tasty dish or spotting dirt smudges on a white cloth, it prevented me from experiencing the beauty of life in its fullness, as Jesus had promised for his children. This became a main agenda of my personal prayer for many years. Finally, by his divine grace, I came to the understanding that I needed to grow from expectation to hope. 

Expectations were prevailing in me most of the time and I was not aware of it. Whenever I failed to meet those expectations, I was dragged into despair unknowingly. This stopped me from receiving God’s grace and being at peace. As a result of this, I kept praying for change in others rather than changing myself. Also, I had the wrong belief that these were the trials allowed by God as James 1:13 says, When tempted no one should say ‘God is tempting me,’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. This very realisation led me to the understanding that it was my expectations that were causing distress and despair.

Hope leads us to rely on God’s will whereas expectation focuses more on personal interest. A person relying on God’s will is content and joyful always and thus experiences God’s presence in his life at all times. I have heard many saying that the pandemic was a blessing in disguise as it helped them to grow closer to him in their lives. No matter what the situations are in our lives, what matters is how we look at it. Let’s pray for the grace of God, to look at life with his eyes and his understanding. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Philippians 3:12).

Though it was not easy to practice it in daily life, Mathew 19:26 With God all things are possible and Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine strengthened me and helped me to work on it. When I started practicing the journey from expectation to hope, I began to experience a lot of changes in my attitude and outlook towards life. Many things that were impossible in life turned possible with him and helped me to maintain my inner peace. When I remained at peace that helped others also to experience God’s love and peace.

• Expectation aims at momentary happiness whereas hope leads to eternity.

• Expectation is my will, while hope allows God’s will to work in my life.

• Expectation works for my happiness and peace when hope works for all around me.

• Expectation leaves me stressed while hope keeps me at ease. 

  
  

It goes on with much fruit when we practice this journey from expectation to hope.

Lord Jesus, help us to understand and practice the Beatitudes with HOPE so that we may experience the life in fullness which you have promised for your children.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).

A first batch full-timer, Rani George lives in Kochi with her husband, George and their two children. She is also part of the Kairos Media team.