Joy in the Journey #RTTBROS #Nightlight"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." — Philippians 4:11You know, I've been thinking a lot lately about something that keeps showing up in my conversations with people. We live in a world that's constantly selling us expectations. Social media shows us everyone's highlight reel, and we start measuring our regular Tuesday against someone else's best moment. Before long, we're running on empty, wondering why we can't seem to find any joy.I came across something recently that really stuck with me: joy is your current situation minus expectation. Now, at first glance, that might sound like I'm saying we should just lower the bar. That's not it at all.There's a world of difference between expectation and anticipation. Expectations are rigid demands we place on life, on God, on other people. They're about control. But anticipation? That's hopeful, flexible, trusting. It's looking forward with open hands instead of clenched fists.Think about the Apostle Paul for a minute. Here's a man sitting in a Roman prison, chained to a guard, uncertain about his future. By all our expectations, he should have been miserable. But listen to what he wrote: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).How could he say that? Because Paul had learned the secret. He had released his expectations of how his life should look and replaced them with anticipation of what God was doing. He wasn't demanding God work things out his way. He was trusting that God was working, even when he couldn't see the whole picture.Expectations steal our joy because they're focused on what we think should be. Anticipation gives us joy because it's focused on who God is and what He's capable of doing, even in the mess we're in right now.Here's what I've learned, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one: most of our disappointment comes from the gap between what we expected and what actually happened. But when we release those expectations and replace them with anticipation of God's goodness, suddenly there's room for joy.Paul goes on to say, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11). That's not resignation. That's a man who's traded his expectations for anticipation of God's faithfulness.So let me ask you: what expectations are you carrying today that are robbing you of joy? Maybe it's time to open your hands and start anticipating with excitement what God might do instead.Because when you subtract your expectations from your current situation, what you're left with is room for joy. Real, lasting joy that doesn't depend on everything going your way, but on knowing that God is good and He's working.Let's pray: Father, help us release the expectations we're clinging to and replace them with anticipation of Your goodness. Teach us to find joy not in getting our way, but in trusting Your way. In Jesus' name, Amen.#Faith #Joy #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #NightlightBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

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