Well, what do you expect?
Expectations are terribly important. So much of how we feel about our lives is based on how things are versus our expectations of how they should be. And our expectations are so shaped and influenced by the many different inputs and subliminal noises that we are constantly subjected to, and most often unaware of, that it is no wonder that, for many, life is lived with a feeling of frustration that can often lead to hopelessness or a frantic search for “something more” and finally to extreme busyness, more frustration, and sometimes addiction or worse.
There are several primary contributors to this common condition. Today we will focus on just two or three.
First, the force of the consumer culture we live in and the “more stuff is better” mentality of materialism. Because of the pervasive presence of our advertising-driven materialistic culture we are constantly bombarded with messages that what we have isn’t good enough and that something that is available “out there somewhere” is better, and that it is that new “something” that will bring us what we really need to be happy. This force is so much more powerful and destructive than most of us recognize! The key to a good and healthy perspective of life is contentment, and contentment is the polar opposite of what our culture promotes. The saying “If you can’t be happy with what you have, you will never be happy with what you are trying to get” is profoundly true, and living in a state of deferred contentment is at the heart of our common problem.
We live for the next “thing!” The “thing” can be a promotion, a new house, some more shopping to buy “stuff” we can’t afford and don’t really need to impress people we don’t really like, a new relationship, a child, a net worth, a new church, another drink, a better high… anything that we don’t have but think we need to be “happy.” Of course, since we don’t have it now, we can’t be content or happy – now. We will be happy then. But then…
This “more stuff” syndrome is subtly, though hugely, exacerbated among Christians by the mostly unseen or acknowledged presence of the “prosperity gospel” in our churches. While there are relatively few “name it and claim it”, “Faith” proponents their message has been co-opted by that vast majority of contemporary churches and has “leavened” many who would be horrified if they were confronted with the charge. The perverted message is basically this; if we do everything just right, i.e. commit our lives to Jesus, read the Bible daily, pray, tithe, attend every service, go on short term mission trips, and maybe teach Sunday school, that God will make our lives perfect! That He will give us health, wealth, and prosperity. Everyone will like us and be kind. Every disease will be healed. Every relationship will be fulfilling. All our debts incurred in the restless acquisition of useless “stuff” will be covered, etc… It’s a lie friends, but most of us have been led to believe it. Listen closer to what you hear from the pulpit or latest popular Christian guru. It’s there in spades. And, it is heresy. God’s purpose for us is not a life filled with an ever increasing bunch of “stuff”, perfect health, perfect relationships… not in this world. His will is a life of joy and dependence in Him in the midst of a world that is a never ending cycle of trial and respite, challenge and rest.
And that leads us to the third contributor to our frustration with unmet expectations; the vain hope that life in this world can be permanently ”fixed.” We strive to gain or overcome whatever need or trial that we find ourselves confronting in the moment in the hope that whatever it is will “fix” our lives. The problem is it never works, not for long anyway. There may be a temporary lift from accomplishing a goal or acquiring a new toy or relationship but inevitably what we have proves to be less than we hoped for or circumstances change and we look to something else with hope that it will be the final “it” that will finally “fix” our lives. The truth is that life will never be “fixed” here on Earth. It will only be ‘fixed” in the New Earth in heaven. Until then we will live in a series of trials, disappointments, and painful changes, mixed with periods of rest, comparative peace, and grace. Life is cyclic and can’t be “fixed.” This is a reality check friends. The Bible says “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” Living in the constant state of unmet expectations creates unbelievable stress leading to all kinds of illness and disorder.
So what to do? My best take is this; Christian, accept life for what it is, a series of ever-changing seasons and challenges designed or allowed to conform us to the image of Christ, and trust in the total truth that God is good and loves us perfectly. Trust in His promises that He will cause everything to work together for good in the lives of those who love Him, be confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the Day of Christ, because it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.* No, we can’t fix life, but we can fix our hope on He who has, and step off the treadmill of our culture’s vain striving for what it promises but can never deliver. We can reject the “stuff is enough” culture and the lie of the prosperity gospel and embrace life in reality. We can simplify our lives and focus them on what is eternal and truly important. The choice remains with us. God has made His and He will always provide all we need to do all He wants. What He wants is Truth and faith in reality.
* (Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6, 2:13)
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Buck Jacobs, Chairman and Founder of The C12 Group, LLC - Christian CEO and mentor. Buck has an extensive background in successful organizational development based on the principles found in scripture. The motto of the C12 group is "Building great companies for a greater purpose." 
Great message….couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks for putting it into words. Love you.
Thank you!