In his book, Pygmalion in the Classroom,Dr. Robert Rosenthal of UCLA tells of many instances where teachers were led to believe that certain students were of significant intellect. They were told that these students were expected to make a quantum leap in academic performance during that school year.

The result: the teachers approached their school year with an expectation that each of these students would perform at an elevated level, when compared to their peers.  And without exception, each student performed just as expected.

The theory was this: when teachers are led to expect better intellectual performance from  their students, they tend to get it.

The Law of Expectations tells us that whatever one expects, with confidence, often becomes a reality/self-fulfilling prophecy. I think it is safe to say that our expectations play a key role in our own outcomes.  I believe that our expectations also have a remarkable effect on the people around us. What we expect from others determines our attitude toward them (more than any other factor). In turn, the people around us tend to reflect our attitudes right back at us - whether the expectations and attitudes are positive or negative.

Research every major biblical character.  Notice what retains their attention.  Dissect each story and each conversation contained in that story, and attempt to predict the outcome based upon that person’s “expressed expectations.”

You will discover that their expectations played a pivotal role in the outcome of their predicament.  How encouraging it is to know that regardless of my current set of circumstances, it is not the will of the enemy that has the final say.  Rather, it is my “expectation”  that is the greatest predictor of my outcome! (Please consider the strong connection between our expectations and our faith).  Remember, faith is the substance of things “hoped” for (or expected)……  

Take a moment to think about your own expectations - of yourself and those around you….Now, allow me to ask you a question, “What do you expect?”