Expectation Gap | Week Two

There is always room for improvement. If you want to change something about your life, you can (and it could be a very worthwhile journey), but it is never promised to be easy.

John 13:33-38

1. As Christ followers, we should expect more of ourselves first before we place expectations on others.

Parents: remember that the lowest standard you place on yourself is the highest standard you can expect out of your children.

A truly dangerous person is not always a bad person – it depends on who or what they are dangerous to. Sometimes evil must be met by an equal and opposite force.

There is a side to us, as humans, that is capable of horrendous harm and evil. If we want to be a fully realized person, we must confront this dark side – we cannot hide from it or deny it. Once we understand what we are truly capable of, and we integrate this “shadow self”, we can use that power for incredible good in the world.

(A great portrayal of this story of integrating the “shadow self” is the Harry Potter series)

To extend forgiveness to someone who seems unworthy of grace and compassion can be viewed as a “dangerous” act. It goes against our belief of fairness, but sometimes extending grace isn’t fair… shouldn’t be fair.

1. Over confidence without proper preparation often leads to a lesson in humiliation and unfulfilled expectations.

What are you doing to prepare for the changes you want in your life?

It is better to feel and show humility, than to live unprepared and feel humiliated.

How do you feel when you let yourself down?

1. When it seems the expectation gap or who I am and who I want to be begins to swell- stop and remember exactly where God dwells!

God is not disappointed in you or your progress. Getting it right doesn’t make you more like Christ – getting it wrong and growing from it does.

You are always giving out to the world what you are becoming inside. Be sure that you are spreading hope, compassion, love, and grace instead of hate, judgement, and hopelessness.