Un-met Expectations can KILL! You know the feeling… You were expecting with all of your heart for “this”, instead you got “That!” We all have expectations, we have them in marriage, kids, team mates, weather, restaurants and friends..etc…
The problem is when our expectations are not met, then we get mad, hurt, disappointed or worse… Disengage or become bitter. I have experiences in all of those and quite frankly, I want all of my expectations to be met! But then, that is an unfair expectation!
That’s the thing about expectations, there are rules…
- Expectations must be communicated to be validated. If they don’t know…They don’t know.
- Expectations must be accepted to be effected. You can’t force expectations the other party refuses to fill.
- Expectations must be loving to be lasting. You can’t put legalistic, selfish or cruel expectations on someone, it just won’t last!
Ask yourself a question. Why am I disappointed, hurt or bitter at _________ ? Fill in the blank with the name. Then ask yourself if the reason for your pain is an unmet expectation. If so, make sure that you expectation had met all the rules above. If not, go and ask forgiveness for being mad!
This has been a huge help to me as a leader of others, lover to my wife, father to my kids and friend to many. Hope it helps you get through one of those painful places today!
Image by bjornmeansbear.
