“An attitude of positive expectation is the mark of the superior personality.” — Brian Tracy

“Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.” — Edwin Louis Cole

“Live in a constant state of expectancy and leave room for God to come in as He decides.” — Oswald Chambers

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all… If we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8: 24-25 NIV

As of late, expectancy (expecting God’s goodness to show up in all circumstances of life) has been a focus of mine when it comes to my own spiritual walk and personal relationship with Christ. It by far is a divine principle needing the greatest improvement within my life.   I view expectancy as a higher level of faith, a confident peace – expecting God’s continual flow of blessings no matter what circumstances we face. 

As I sat drinking a cup of coffee this morning, I shamefully realized that I had more faith in my water faucet than in the Lord at times! 

Think about it.  When we need water, we simply go to the faucet and turn the knob – never once doubting that water will flow out of the spicket.  I can’t say I have ever approached the kitchen sink and dropped to my knees in prayer – begging and pleading that the water would run 😊 I guess the same can be said about my car.  I climb in it every day and turn the key – confident that it will start up and take me wherever I need to go.  Think about the things we do each day – never giving them an ounce of thought but simply expecting them to transpire.

Why is it that when it comes to our hopes and dreams, we hesitantly pray – wondering if God will make them come true or not?  Why do we face the difficulties of life (i.e. disease, financial problems, hurting relationships, etc.) and doubt that God is involved in them?  If we can unconsciously expect the car to start or the local Water Department to come through for us, why can’t we just EXPECT God to be constantly at work in our lives for our good and well-being?

If you can relate to feelings like this, here are some things to assist you in embracing an attitude of expectancy in your life.  They have helped me and I know they can help you as well:

Pray BEGINNING and ENDING with a Thankful Heart

“Gratitude is not in words, but in the heart, which expresses it.” — Lailah Gifty Akita 

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” — Cicero

I have found that when I start and end prayer with thankfulness, it changes how I see God.  My prayers used to be filled with pleading and begging for my personal “wish list”.  Now, I start each prayer thinking about all the blessings God has bestowed on me – thanking Him for each. 

At the end of my prayers, I thank God for all the answers He is providing for me regarding my concerns and current problems.  By mentally acknowledging areas of my life where God has blessed me and mentally EXPECTING God’s answers to my prayers, it moves me steps toward embracing expectancy.

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is an excellent example of this. 

The Scriptures say Hannah was “in bitterness of soul” and during her prayer, she “wept in anguish” – begging God to remember her (1 Samuel 1:10 NKJV).  She made a promise to God, that if he gave her a son, she would give him back in service to the Lord.  The Scriptures state that when she left the temple, “her face was no longer sad.”  (Verse 18).  Hannah ended that prayer with expectancy – faithful that God would answer her prayer!

In the very next verse, the Bible says, “the Lord remembered her” and Samuel was born – a man who was one of the greatest Judges in all of Israel.  Not only was Hannah faithful in her expectancy that God would answer her prayer, but she was also faithful to her promise!  Her prayer of thanksgiving is recorded in the 2^nd chapter of 1 Samuel – a prayer FILLED with praise and thankfulness to her God.   😊

Learn to Look Beyond the Present Tense

“Every situation – nay, every moment—is of infinite worth; for it is the representative of a whole eternity.“ – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When we look around us currently, it’s easy to become doubtful or sarcastic.  The world is full of unjust scenarios.  Bad things are happening to very good people, thus; we can easily doubt God’s ability to intervene or question His concern when it comes to getting intimately involved in our lives.

Here is where we need to stretch beyond the present, beyond our current problems and difficulties and hold fast to our spiritual nature.  Each of us is eternal – made in the image of God.  Our lives are not defined by our immediate trials or suffering – the issues that are currently driving our feelings or emotions.   What we are currently experiencing is only a small aspect of our entire existence.

Personally, when I begin to look at my life in terms of eternity, my present needs, desires, and concerns become much smaller.  It becomes easier to embrace expectancy, knowing that God is working on a much larger plan for my life – one that stretches far beyond my current hardships or unmet desires.

“The power of God will take you out of your own plans and put you into the plan of God.” – Smith Wigglesworth

“God can dream a bigger dream for you than you could ever dream for yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey

Be Watchful and Observant

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” — Philippians 2:13

“God is always working through you; the important thing is to become conscious and co‑operate.” — Mother Meera

When I look back at my own life, I can see via hindsight where God was actively involved in my circumstances.  As I was experiencing them firsthand, I was too focused on the issues or my own wants and desires – missing God’s answers to my prayers as they were unfolding before me. 

Now, I have learned to become more observant – more watchful when it comes to the events of life.  I’m expecting God to show up within my circumstances daily.  I’m open to an answer that might not be what I had planned or desired, but I’m confident that God is at work.  I have learned that when I’m watchful for God, looking for His response and answer, it breeds an expectant attitude!

It’s my prayer today that we all learn to embrace expectancy, confidently expecting God to show up in our lives – working things out for our good and well-being.  I pray that we all get to a place where without hesitancy or doubt, like starting a car or turning on a water faucet, we stand confident – expecting God to show His love and goodness to us in every aspect of our lives – just like Hannah!

God bless!