Managing Expectations (I)
"Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.’" (NKJV) Acts 1:6-7
Managing expectations is a journey that requires trusting God’s wisdom; this four-part devotional series explores different perspectives to strengthen our trust in the Living God.
Human nature longs for certainty. In the above Scripture, the disciples eagerly wanted to know when the kingdom would belong to Israel—a wrong concept to begin with. But Jesus redirected them, reminding them that God’s plans unfold in His time, not ours. Managing expectations secures our trust in God.
A powerful lesson comes from a certain village that endured a severe drought. The elders called for a community prayer meeting to ask God for rain. On the appointed day, people arrived, hopeful yet uncertain—except for one boy. He came running with a wide smile, holding an umbrella. When asked why, he simply said, “Didn’t we pray for rain?” His expectation was not tied to a deadline but to faith in God’s faithfulness.
Like the disciples, we often impose timelines on God. We expect answers now, breakthroughs soon, and blessings on our schedule. But true trust rests in God’s wisdom, knowing He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
God calls us to trust, not to predict. If He has spoken a promise, He will fulfill it. Instead of asking when, let us prepare our hearts—like the boy with the umbrella—believing that His perfect timing never fails.