Bible Reading: Psalm 128-131; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40.
Memory Verse: “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalm 130:3 (KJV).
Most people are too hard on themselves. Yes it is good that you set high standards for yourself but always give room for mistakes that can be corrected. When you fail to achieve the standard you have set for yourself, look into the reason for not meeting the standard. However, more importantly, look for how you can avoid such obstacles and move forward to a higher level. Equally important is that you should not be too hard on yourself.
You should expect that you can fall short of your standard sometimes though should not be regularly. And what’s more important is how to cross that hurdle and move forward rather than moaning at the missed standard. Unfortunately, this is what a number of Christians apply, not only to themselves but also to others. That’s why you feel so pained when people fail to meet your standard. However you need to realize that God is always ready to forgive us because he knows we are not perfect though we are expected to move towards perfection. He expects us to learn over time. That’s why the Bible says you should desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2 KJV), and to grow over time to eat strong meat as stated in Hebrews 5:14.
Moderating your expectations of people will help you to handle disappointments better and, more importantly, make forgiveness easy. You definitely need to learn from our God who forgives sins easily because He knows the weakness of the human flesh. The Bible says in Isaiah 1:18 (KJV), “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Thus, God is willing to forgive any sin at anytime.
God knows that without forgiveness no man can make heaven. The Psalmist says in Psalm 130:3-4 (KJV), “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? [4] But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”
You need to cultivate the same virtue as one having the mind of Christ by being ready and willing to forgive anyone that sins against you. Moderating your expectations of men will help you to attain this level. If you are not expecting your day to be free of challenges, when they are, you will appreciate God more and when those challenges come, you will easily hand them to God. Similarly, if you are expecting that offences may come from anybody, when they come, you will not be disappointed and so not find it difficult to let go. On the other hand where there are no offences, you will thank God more!
Action Point: Moderate your expectations of people around you with your total confidence in God.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero