Reset: A 7-Day Plan for Building Positive HabitsSample

A Prisoner Models Hope

The apostle Paul sat chained in prison, writing letters to followers in Philippi to encourage them in their faith. Is that what you might do if in prison (especially if you were in prison because of your ministry)? Write letters of thanks and encouragement to other Christians?

In Philippians 1:20, Paul says: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” In a time in his life that could have been dark and hopeless, he chose to expect the best.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

In counseling and psychology, a “self-fulfilling prophecy” means that sometimes, when we believe or expect something to happen, we unconsciously (and sometimes even consciously) act in a way to make that thing happen. If I wake up believing that today will be a great day, I’ll likely do things to make that great day a reality. I’ll start the day with a smile on my face, be kinder to the people I run into, look for the good things, and be grateful for the small things. But if I start the day believing it will be terrible, I’ll likely find that to be true as well.

The concept of self-fulfilling prophecy shows us how much influence we have in the way we see the world, and in turn, how we behave as result. It’s the same way with our expectations. What we expect—both of God and ourselves—is often what we’ll begin to see. Paul modeled a God-honoring perspective and hopeful expectations for us while he served the Lord in prison. Likewise, if we believe God is good and mighty and powerful and sovereign, I’m going to begin to experience Him in those ways because my eyes, like Paul’s, are looking for His goodness.

If I expect that I am capable of change, healing, and growth, I’m going to make decisions that lead in those directions. What we expect, therefore, determines much of how we live. Much of how we change. Much of how we heal.

Confidence in God’s Provision

First John 5:14 also reminds us of the posture of expectation we should have: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” We can ask God for great things. Big things. Bold things. For hearts to be healed and lives to be changed; for generational chains to break, families to be restored, and marriages to be renewed.

God is doing something new in your life. In fact, He’s already begun. The questions are: Do we believe it? Do we receive it? Do we expect it? Are we looking for it? Are we even ready for it?