The Power of Expectations: Unlocking Success or Trapping Yourself in Stagnation”

Introduction: The Role of Expectations in Our Lives

Expectations are one of the most powerful forces in our lives. They shape our thoughts, guide our actions, and ultimately determine our outcomes.

The Bible is filled with teachings about the importance of our expectations, especially when they are aligned with God’s promises.

The Power of Expectations

The power of expectations cannot be over emphasized as our expectations can either propel us toward the abundant life God has planned for us or hold us back, trapping us in a cycle of doubt, fear, and lack. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 kjv

In this message, we will explore the power of positive expectations, how they align with God’s Word, and how they can propel believers toward true success.

We will also examine the destructive power of negative expectations and how they can keep us stagnant, fearful, and far from the blessings God desires to pour into our lives.

In all, either positive or negative expectations, we shall at the end understand the power of expectations whether positive or negative.

I. The Foundation of Positive Expectations: God’s Promises

1. Jeremiah 29:11: A Promise of Hope and Prosperity

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most quoted and beloved verses in the Bible, and for good reason.

It is a direct promise from God, assuring us that He has good plans for our lives. This verse should be the cornerstone of our expectations.

It reminds us that God is not indifferent to our lives; He is actively involved, with plans to prosper us, give us hope, and secure our future.

• Understanding God’s Plans: To fully embrace this promise, we must understand that God’s plans are always for our good.
• Even when circumstances seem challenging, we can trust that God is working everything out for our benefit.
• Our expectations should reflect this truth.

2. The Power of Positive Expectations in the Bible

The Bible consistently encourages us to maintain positive expectations, rooted in faith and trust in God’s promises.

• Mark 11:24 (NIV): “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This verse highlights the importance of believing—having positive expectations—when we pray.

Faith is not just about asking; it’s about expecting that God will answer.

When we pray with positive expectations, we align ourselves with God’s will, opening the door for His blessings to flow into our lives.

• Romans 8:28 (NIV): “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.”

This verse reinforces the idea that God is always working for our good.

Even in difficult situations, we can expect that God is orchestrating everything for our benefit.

This expectation allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that God is in control.

II. The Power of Positive Expectations: Propelling Believers to Success

1. Faith and Positive Expectations: A Dynamic Duo

Faith and positive expectations go hand in hand.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and positive expectations are the practical outworking of that faith.

The power of expectations is awesome because when we expect good things, we are demonstrating our faith in God’s promises.

• Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

This verse teaches us that faith is about having confidence in the unseen.

When we have positive expectations, we are expressing our faith in the things we cannot yet see, trusting that God will bring them to pass.

2. The Role of Positive Expectations in Achieving Success

Positive expectations are a powerful motivator.

They propel us forward, inspire us to take action, and keep us focused on God’s promises.

When we expect success, we are more likely to pursue the opportunities God places before us.

• Philippians 4:13 (NIV): “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”

This verse reminds us that with God’s strength, we can accomplish anything.

When we approach life with positive expectations, believing that we can do all things through Christ, we are more likely to succeed.

• Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV): “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

This verse underscores the power of expectations in our thought life.

What we expect in our hearts often manifests in our lives. If we expect failure, we are more likely to fail, which underscores the power of expectations.

But if we expect success, aligned with God’s promises, we are more likely to achieve it.

3. Examples of Positive Expectations Leading to Success

The Bible is full of stories where positive expectations led to great success.

Consider the story of David and Goliath. David’s expectation was rooted in his faith in God’s ability to deliver him.

He didn’t focus on the size of the giant but on the greatness of his God.

His positive expectations propelled him to victory.

• 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV): “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.’”

David understands the power of expectations and they were not based on his own strength but on his unwavering faith in God.

His positive expectations led to a miraculous victory.

The Destructive Power of Negative Expectations: A Barrier to God’s Blessings

1. How Negative Expectations Limit God’s Work in Our Lives

Negative expectations are the antithesis of faith.

When we expect negative outcomes, we are essentially doubting God’s goodness and His ability to work in our lives.

Negative expectations create barriers that can prevent us from receiving the blessings God has for us.

• James 1:6-7 (NIV): “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

This verse is a stern warning about the dangers of doubt and negative expectations.

When we doubt, we become unstable, and it becomes difficult for God to bless us.

2. The Power of Negative Expectations to Keep Believers Stagnant and in Penury

Negative expectations can trap us in a cycle of stagnation and lack.

When we expect failure, poverty, or hardship, we are more likely to experience those things.

This is not because God desires these outcomes for us, but because our negative expectations lead us away from His blessings.

• Job 3:25 (NIV): “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.”

Job’s statement reflects the destructive power of negative expectations.

His fears and negative expectations eventually manifested in his life.

This is a stark reminder of the importance of guarding our hearts and minds against negative thoughts and expectations.

• Proverbs 18:21 (NIV): “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Our words, often reflects the power of expectations, and have the power to bring life or death.

When we speak negatively, we reinforce our negative expectations, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of lack and stagnation.

3. Breaking Free from Negative Expectations

Breaking free from negative expectations requires a deliberate effort to renew our minds and align our thoughts with God’s Word.

• Romans 12:2 (NIV): “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Renewing our minds involves replacing negative thoughts and expectations with the truth of God’s Word and thereby making good use of the power of expectations.

It’s about choosing to believe in God’s promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.

• Philippians 4:8 (NIV): “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This verse provides a practical guide for overcoming negative expectations.

By focusing our thoughts on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy, we can cultivate positive expectations that align with God’s will for our lives.

IV. Cultivating Positive Expectations: Practical Steps for Believers

1. Anchoring Your Expectations in God’s Word

The first step in cultivating positive expectations is to anchor them in the promises of God’s Word.

When our expectations are based on God’s truth, they become unshakable, even in the face of adversity.

• Isaiah 55:11 (NIV): “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

God’s Word is powerful and effective.

When we base our expectations on His promises, we can be confident that they will come to pass.

2. Prayer and Positive Confession

Prayer is a powerful tool for shaping our expectations.

When we pray, we should not only ask God for what we need but also confess our positive expectations based on His promises.

• Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV): “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

This passage encourages us to approach God with confidence, expecting that He will answer our prayers.

Our prayers should be filled with faith and positive expectations, trusting that God will fulfill His promises.

3. Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences

The company we keep can have a significant impact on our expectations.

Surrounding ourselves with people who speak life, faith, and positivity can help reinforce our positive expectations.

• Proverbs 13:20 (NIV): “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

This verse reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with wise and positive influences.

When we associate with people who have strong faith and positive expectations, we are more likely to develop those qualities in ourselves.

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Expectations

In conclusion, the power of expectations can never be over emphasized because they are a powerful force in our lives.

They can either propel us toward the abundant life God has planned for us or keep us trapped in a cycle of doubt, fear, and lack.

As believers, we are called to cultivate positive expectations, grounded in the promises of God’s Word.

By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will, opening the door for His blessings to flow into our lives.

Let us embrace the power of positive expectations, trusting in the plans that God has for us—plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

As we do, we will experience the true success that comes from living in alignment with God’s purpose for our lives.

May we all walk in the fullness of God’s blessings, expecting great things from our Heavenly Father, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). Amen.