It's good to think more deeply about the mercies of God in times of crisis. To help guide us in this effort, we'll consider Paul David Tripp's collection of meditations from Psalm 27 called "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." You can get your own copy on Amazon here.

For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble.

Psalm 27:5

Why are we so frustrated with the world as it is and with the people who are in it? Usually, it's because neither have met our expectations. If we lived in an ideal world, our expectations might come to pass (if our expectations were correct at least). But, as we've established, we live in a world that since has cast into trouble. Why haven't we updated our expectations accordingly? 

"There's no escaping it; this world isn't functioning as it was designed to function. The Bible warns us that we're living in a world that's literally groaning, waiting for redemption." "No moment in our lives exists untouched by the fall."

That's worth repeating: there is no moment in our lives that is untouched by the fall. When we're disappointed by unmet expectations, we should begin by asking ourselves, "What did I expect?" Most often, we've brought unrealistic expectations into our circumstances and relationships.

Tripp identifies some negative consequences:

• We fail to prepare. "...unrealistic expectations lead to a lack of preparation, which causes them to react rather than act carefully."
• We live more independently than we ought. "We are all in need of daily rescuing, forgiving, and empowering grace. We need that grace because none of us is free form the presence and power of sin."

We will face trouble. Not just the COVID19 kind of trouble but the kind of trouble that pops up daily within every relationship and sphere of life because of our own sin? We need to prepare with prayer and study of Scripture. We need depend on God's grace. We need to be transparent with one another about our weaknesses, quick to apologize and repent, and even quicker to forgive. 

Questions to Consider

1. Where have you been caught up short because you have failed to live with realistic expectations. 

- I'm sure it's all over my life but what comes to mind first is my relationship with my children. I expect them to be more sanctified than I am - more thoughtful, more courteous, more patient. How unrealistic is that? 

2. What must you do every day to be both realistic and hopeful at the same time?

- I need to, every single day, reflect on my own fallenness. Only when I recognize (daily!) my own sin and weakness will I set realistic expectations for the people around me.