Expectations | Matthew 6:11
Expectations and the Kingdom of God
Expectations shape our daily lives in ways we often don’t even realize. Whether it’s the unexpected joys of embarrassing our children or the silent assumptions we carry into relationships, expectations play a crucial role in our interactions.
Unspoken Expectations and Resentment
Expectations are often unspoken, and when they go unmet, they can breed resentment. As the saying goes, expectations are premeditated resentments. This is true not only in our relationships with others but also in our relationship with God.
We come to God with a roadmap—our own timeline for how things should unfold. But when reality does not align with our expectations, we feel frustration and bitterness. We expect stability, provision, and security in the ways we dictate, rather than trusting in God’s daily provision.
Daily Bread: Trusting in God's Provision
In Matthew 6:11, Jesus teaches us to pray: “Give us today our daily bread.” This simple request is deeply rooted in biblical history. Consider the Israelites wandering the desert for forty years, depending daily on manna from heaven (Exodus 16). They could not store it up; they had to trust that God would provide fresh sustenance each day.
We, however, want vaults of bread. We desire security in what we can see and hold, rather than in God’s faithfulness. This mindset often leads to discontent and a failure to recognize the ways in which God is sustaining us daily.
The Challenge of Faith Over Sight
Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” We often interpret this verse to mean that God will fulfill our dreams beyond our expectations. But what happens when God’s “immeasurably more” looks nothing like our roadmap?
Paul wrote these words from prison. His reality did not match the kind of success and security many of us equate with God’s blessings. Yet, he understood that God’s plan is greater than our human expectations.
Wrestling with Expectations
Many of us, like Paul, wrestle with unfulfilled expectations. Personal experiences of unmet career ambitions or prolonged hardships can lead to frustration with God. But through those seasons, we often discover deeper trust, transformation, and alignment with God’s greater plan.
Learning to Let Go
Our expectations, if left unchecked, can lead us away from God rather than drawing us closer. But when we surrender our plans and embrace God’s daily provision, we find peace and purpose beyond what we could have imagined.
Instead of asking God to fulfill our expectations, we should ask Him to align our hearts with His will. Daily dependence on Him is not a lack—it is an invitation to deeper faith and trust.
So the question remains: Will we trust God with our daily bread, or will we cling to the illusion of control?
