Unfulfilled Expectations From Self

‘Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me. And he went away, weeping bitterly’ Matt.26:75

From time to time we tend to disappoint ourselves. We have certain expectations of ourselves and our inability to deliver result in disappointments with self. There are certain things that we think we can do but we let ourselves down when we are unable to follow through. Many times we experience unfulfilled expectations because of certain limitations. Sometimes it is in our walk with God, we think that we are beyond certain things. We tend to think that we are beyond certain sins. The Bible says, ‘let he that thinks he stands take heed lest he falls’. God uses different things to bring us into the place of humility. God can send His Word to humble us. Or He can use situations and circumstances to humble us. And as a last resort, He can allow us to fall into sin. God will allow a Christian that is full of himself fall to teach him valuable lessons. After he falls then and only then will he truly understand that ‘except the Lord builds, they labour in vain that build’. This may sound very strange but God uses it sometimes to break the back of spiritual pride in Christians. And after such experiences, you find that such people become very gentle and humble. However, you do not have to allow yourself get to the point where God has to humble you. Peter was one of those kinds who has answers for everything. Some people will perceive him as full of himself. ‘Peter swore, a curse on me if I’m lying – I don’t know the man! And immediately the rooster crowed’. Who was Peter denying so passionately with a curse? Imagine how humiliating this experience must have been for him. Peter wept not so much because of Jesus but because he had disappointed himself. In any area, be it spiritual, physical, or financial where you have pride, God will bring you to zero so that you can learn. ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding’ Prov.3:5. This is the key to offloading the baggage of unfulfilled expectation from self. You trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your understanding.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to trust You completely and never lean on my own understanding. Father, flush out every trace of pride in my life, In Jesus Name