What are you expecting? It may just be better – nor worse!

It’s like sitting in your living room in a poorly-built apartment building when the neighbor upstairs drops his heavy work boot on the floor, scaring you half to death. And you hold your breath … waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Some people live their entire lives in that negative, anticipatory manner. And they’re more than willing to share their pessimistic prophecy of the future with you:

– “Trouble with your four year old, heh? Well, just wait until he’s five!”

–  “That last down turn was rough, but the next one will be a doozie!”

 – “Got a pain in your jaw? My uncle died from that.”

Waiting for the next calamity. Expecting the inevitable crash. Their creed? “Cheer up, the worst is yet to come.”

Psalm 116 tells the story of the Psalmist staring death in the face. He cries out for deliverance and gets it. Yet, in the middle of the affliction, discouragement and fear says – “I had people around me who tried to encourage me – but I refused to believe. I even called them liars!”

But there is another way to live. And the same writer who describes pessimism above, describes another way of living life. It’s available to those who trust God and know how to hang on during tumultuous times.

“Such a man will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant

care of him  will make a deep impression on all who see it.

 He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.

For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.  

That is why he is not afraid but can calmly face his foes.”

Psalm 112:6-12 Living Bible

So settle it in your mind and heart that you’re going to put confidence and expectation in the constant and proven faithfulness of God. Don’t waste that energy on ‘possibilities or probabilities’ or the frightening words of the eternal pessimist.

“But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Proverbs 1:33 New American Standard Version