09.03.23 The 5th Practice for Developing Realistic Expectations as You Wait

5. Guard your Mind from Influences that Distort Realistic Expectations

Guarding your mind is essential when developing realistic expectations about people. During this season of waiting, examine the influences that shape how you interpret a person’s character and conduct. Refuse to entertain thoughts that excuse any conduct that contradicts your values. Proverbs 4:23 emphasises this important discipline. As mentioned in many places in these series, the verse reads (CEB: “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Be cautious of peers that glorify charm, appearance, social status or success while giving little attention to integrity and responsible behaviour. Such influences can quietly distort your expectations and cause you to overlook, miss or ignore of traits that would form a successful long-term relationship. Observe the person’s conduct over a considerable period of time. Your expectations will become clearer, more reliable, sound and well-grounded when your judgement is guided by careful observation rather than emotional pressure or external opinion.