Capture Every Thought

Posted by Dec 11, 2022 PWTE Daily Devotion , , , , , Leave a Comment
By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Expectations

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

I made dinner for my family tonight. I was so excited to put homemade chicken pot pie on the table and was already anticipating the reactions they would all give me. “This is so good,” is what I had decided I would hear.

The first child says, “Why is there cheese in this?” but eats the serving. The second one says, “I’m not really hungry” and takes two bites. The third child doesn’t even touch the dish. I was so disappointed, which turned into irritation. I snapped at my husband for no reason. The odd part is, I couldn’t figure out why I snapped at him until I began to examine my thoughts.

Expectations are the highway to disappointment. I’m a counselor for a living. I use this phrase when clients are disappointed. I can see when a person is setting themselves up for disappointment “a mile away.” So, why did I fall into the trap?

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:8 ESV

I was hoping to get a positive reaction from someone who is human and has opinions, just like me. The chances of people letting us down are likely. So, how do we manage our disappointment?

“For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” Romans 10:11 AMP
Giving our disappointment to God and letting Him deal with it is how we manage our unrealized expectations. Leaning on Jesus in our disappointment allows us to try again but rearrange our expectations. The truth is, I will continue to try to please my children with my cooking, but I also know that there will be times they don’t like what I cook. Keeping expectations in check are important anytime we are dealing with people.
“and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Explore the negative thoughts and get to the root of what caused the disappointment so we can destroy the lie that we are believing. Partnering with God on capturing disappointing thoughts along with increasing our expectations of God, not people, will assist us in serving with a cheerful heart with fewer expectations.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado

About Elizabeth Haarberg

Elizabeth Williams Haarberg lives in Kearney, Nebraska with her husband and four children. She has lived in many places but has found her true home with God.
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