Expect the Expected

Yesterday, I had a meeting with one of the higher ups and an opportunity for anxiety. The predetermining circumstances for the meeting were unpleasant and I was blindsided. The circumstances were out of my control, but nevertheless, I was ‘all up in the middle’. My desire for the outcome was a peaceful meeting and God to be glorified. This, I had plenty control. There is always an opportunity for anticipatory anxiety… “what will the first day be like on a new job”, “what will the doctor say”, “what will someone say to me about this situation”, or “how will this conversation go with my son, daughter, husband, friend, etc. etc.”. I believe you get it. Anticipatory anxiety is real and at times it enters because of the unexpected. But what I have found to be true is to expect the expected. I expected God to be exalted and for a peaceful meeting. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” I said to myself, As much that lie within me, I must live at peace with all men, Romans 12:18. I expected peace, since I am called to be a peacemaker and God had given me peace as fruit of the Spirit. I also said to myself, I must let my words be few, Ecclesiastes 5:2 then I said to myself, ” I will be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to take offense, James 1:19, and then I summed up my self-talk with I will glorify God with my actions and responses.” I knew that walking in love would glorify God. I expect myself to do so. After I had fixed my attention on glorifying God and remembered Psalm 46:10, I was confident that the meeting would go well. I expected it to be, therefore, I had no anxiety. My mind was sound and calm. In fact, I had looked forward to see how God was going to glorify and exalt Himself through the situation. Guess what? He never fails, what a blessed meeting. We were both blessed. I could not control what predetermined the meeting, but I had plenty control of what determined the end of the meeting. We walk by faith and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me today, to remember these precepts as I live out today in love, being intentional with every word. Help me to have my gaze fixed on glorifying you at every crossroad today; when there is ample opportunity to walk the straight path, help me when I am weak and want to go left or right. Keep me confident in your divine power and plan. Help me to expect the expected and that is you to be glorified.

I pray that you can relate and that your journey today be a blessing. The journey flows…