To be a high achiever, learn to be expectant at all times. The law of expectation states that ‘you get what you expect.’ Expectation determines our happiness, health, marriage, careers and relationships.
Blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” And Jesus asked him, “Do you believe I can do this?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus did for him what he expected of him. He touched his eyes saying, “According to your faith, it will be done to you.” (Mark 10:46-52).
American author Orison Swett Marden says, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great and no tonic as powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.” There are two basic philosophies of life: You can live by fear or by faith.
Job was a pessimist who set himself up for a big mess when he said; “What I feared most has come upon me”. He focused on what he did not want. Many people are doing the same when they fear bad things that may happen to them.
Apostle Paul says he knows who he has believed and was persuaded he can keep his promise to him. He was confident that whatever he was expecting would happen. When in the labour room, a woman expects to give birth to a healthy baby.
David, when facing Goliath, was confident and expectant. He believed the Lord who had delivered him from the lion and bear would deliver him from the hand of Goliath. Whatever you expect in confidence happens.
Choose to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Expectations give honour to God. David proclaimed that the Lord would hand Goliath to him, he would strike him down and cut off his head, and the whole earth would know that there is a God in Israel and that the battle belongs to him. Have expectations and confidence in God’s ability.
David took the sling and stone and struck Goliath on the forehead - the only part that was not covered by the armour. The chances of killing Goliath were minimal. Expectations offer encouragement to others. Optimism, enthusiasm, expectation and faith are contagious. When Saul’s army saw David kill Goliath, they surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the gates of Gath and Akron. These were the same men who’d run away in fear.
How do you overcome a pessimistic attitude? Start your day with faith instead of doubt. Make positive proclamations about the day. As the Psalmist would do; “Every morning O Lord you hear my voice as I lay my requests and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3). “This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“I was glad when they said to me; let us go into the house of God” (Psalm 122:1). My heart is glad and my soul greatly rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope” (Psalm 16:9). O give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
Secondly, see the good in everyone and everything. The Bible says all things work together for good to those who love God... Everything and everyone has some good and bad; focus on the good. Third, guard your words. Let no corrupt word from your mouth, only what is good for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23).
Be thankful. When Jesus went to the tomb where Lazarus was buried, he thanked God for always hearing him. He was expectant that Lazarus would rise from the dead. Thank God in advance before you see the results manifest in the physical.
It looks foolish for someone to thank God for children yet they are not married. They are simply expecting it to happen. Let this scripture be your mantra; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Bishop David Muriithi
Founder & Overseer,
House of Grace International Ministries