Copyright 2005 Daniel N Brown

Do you wonder why many of us get the results we get despite our desire for better. The reason is because our thoughts are creative and determining our conditions in life.

To desire prosperity and success in life, but yet, always expecting misfortune, or to be continually doubting our ability to get what we truly want, is like trying to reach east by traveling west.

A person cannot consistently doubt his or her ability to succeed, and then succeed. These thoughts of doubt will always attract failure.

When you are faced with a difficult circumstance do you expect the worst or the best? Whatever we expect we attract. If it's your habit to always expect the worst you're simply adding fuel to the fire, creating more negative circumstances that will create more negative expectations on your part.

Your beliefs and expectations are the driving force behind your behaviors and your results. If your expectations are fear driven, they will impair your normal functioning and keep you from making positive and long lasting changes in your life.

The good news is, your beliefs and expectations are just habits.

Throughout the early years of your life you may have learned to expect the worst. It may have been because your parents were like that and you've adopted the same manner of thinking. Or, it could simply be a negative attitude. But, that too, could have been picked up by associating with someone else.

Whatever reasons you have developed these habits, if you want to truly change your results, you must, absolutely change your habits of expectation and learn to expect the best.

Now, here's something to think about, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for." The word "substance" can be translated to mean, "assurance" or "confidence." If you are assured of something, or confident in it, you cannot be fearful at the same time. In fact, you will have a positive expectation about this thing you hope for.

Expecting the best is living a life in faith and is what will ultimately bring you what you truly desire. Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, "According to your faith let it be unto you."

On the other side of the coin, negative expectations are really nothing more than a manifestation of fear. Expecting the worst, is living a life in fear and is what will ultimately bring you disappointment and failure. Again, Jesus' statement in Matthew 9:29 still applies, "According to your faith let it be unto you."

Like I said before, the reason we possess positive, or negative expectations, is simply due to habits.

We need to take whatever steps we can to change our expectations for our expectations are the key to receiving all the good things God has for us. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, "Whatsoever things you desire when you pray, believe you receive them and you shall have them."

He said believe you receive, or expect! What good does it do to pray without expecting God to answer? You might as well be talking to a tree. The Bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

A large part of our current circumstances, whether they be positive or negative, are a result of our faith, belief, and expectations. If we want to change our circumstances, then obviously, we need to change our faith, belief, and expectations.