By Alex Murashko

Is it possible to expect too much from God?

We pray. We ask for something. And then we wait for an answer. Sometimes our response comes quickly, other times, it seems like an excruciatingly long wait.

Through it all, we might worry, fret, and be prone to disappointment.

In his book, Expect the Unexpected - All things are possible with God, I believe Pastor Joe Pedick makes the case that it’s not that we expect too much from the Lord, it’s that we should not hold on to our demands so tightly. 

Why? 

We may not receive exactly what we prayed for, HOWEVER, God does far more exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. – Ephesians 3:20

Expect the Unexpected is a must read, especially for those longing for good news amidst the chaos. In the book, Pedick, who leads Calvary Chapel of the Harbour in Huntington Beach, California, shares his conversations (prayers) with God honestly and openly, revealing what happens when we remember that a relationship with the Lord comes first. 

After reading his book, I've become more aware of how God moves not only in my own life, but in the lives of others as well.

We often expect the worst-case scenario when things don’t go our way. We can tend to think all these things are against me! We forget that God is always for us. When things happen, they are for us – not against us. (P 11)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32

During these times, it’s good to remember that God is for us. We can get really depressed if we look at what’s happening around the world, especially if it starts affecting our personal lives. We can think that everything is against us when there is a death in the family, scarcity of food or provision, or even when we have to quarantine. When I’m tempted to panic or don’t have peace about something, I know I just need to stop, pray, and read and read God’s Word. (P 11-12)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

In reading Expect the Unexpected we see how God worked in the Pedicks’ (wife, Kathleen) lives, during their church history, and in the lives of others. BTW, I’m witness to the Lord still working in their lives and in their church – I attend CCOTH. 

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable. – Isaiah 40:28

God’s ways and His thoughts are beyond what we can ever dream. His ways are higher than ours, far greater and better than we could have ever expected. (P 17)

Expect the unexpected!

Alex Murashko leads the Thinke Writing Team and blogs at Media on Mission. Find him on various social media sites (@alexmurashko). GETTR username @MediaOnMission.