Do not be surprised. 1 Peter 4:12 (NIV)
Examine these common expectations of the Christian life:
5. Christians who trust Christ shouldn’t need medication.
False. We live by faith in the Son of God. But we also live life in the body. Our bodily functioning is directly affected by its chemical balance. If you give the kids too much sugar, they’ll be hyper. What you eat and how you exercise affects the health of a Christian in exactly the same way as an unbeliever.
A great deal of unhappiness could be avoided if people who need medication would just take it. People sometimes say “I don’t like what it does to me when I take my medication.” Yes, but other people don’t like what you do to them when you don’t take it.
6. Christians are safer, healthier, and wealthier than others.
False. God never promised that Christians are less likely to have car accidents or their homes burgled. There is no significant difference between Christians and Muslims, Buddhists, or Hindus who live a healthy life and are good stewards of their money. Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Mat. 6:27).
7. Christians don’t get tired or discouraged.
False. Of course we do. The reason the Bible is so full of encouragements to persevere is because we need them. That’s why we gather week by week in the presence of God. We need to be renewed and encouraged and strengthened for the sheer demands of living the Christian life.
These expectations are unbiblical. If you go through life with unrealistic and unbiblical expectations, you will live in a constant fog of confusion, frustration, and disappointment.
How realistic are your expectations?
