Back to the Basics 365Намуна

We live in a world that tells us to live for material possessions. This worldly philosophy can cause us to compare our lives to those around us. It encourages us to look at those around us and covet the things they have that we do not have. It teaches us to get as much as we can from others to accelerate our own growth and status. But when we live for ourselves, we never get enough to truly satisfy, and we continue to covet more and more. This leads to unmet expectations, which leads to disappointment and loss of joy.

Do not let unmet expectations steal your joy. Unmet expectations set you up for disappointment. Our flesh is prone to feelings of discontent or entitlement. But the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:10, “...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul’s contentment freed him to rejoice in the spiritual growth of the Philippians. He was focused not on what he did not have, or what he got from them, but instead, he felt the sheer joy of seeing young believers investing in the work of the Lord and desired “fruit that may abound to your account” (Philippians 4:17).