Overwhelmed by Your Own Expectations
Your Nightly Prayer
by Amanda Idleman
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” - Matthew 11:28
SOMETHING TO PONDER
An invitation to lay down performance and receive Jesus’ restful grace tonight.
Oh man, am I the queen of setting unrealistic expectations! Almost every day, I wake up with a mental to-do list that far exceeds the time the day ahead offers. I often feel I’m starting at a deficit, stressed out before my feet have even had the chance to hit my hardwood floors.
And then those special days, when things are supposed to be a little bit over-the-top, things are even worse. So many times, I’ve spent my birthday or our wedding anniversary tearfully fighting with my husband because my lofty expectations did not match what the day held. The sad part is that I missed out on what good the day did have because of grief over unspoken and unrealistic expectations.
It’s so easy to imagine and even believe that our lives should be much grander than realistic ones. I like to imagine a much tidier life than what is possible with six kids living in my house, and I am constantly struggling between what I want to see our home look like and what is possible with eight people living in the space.
Ultimately, living with these overwhelming expectations is a part of our pride manifesting; we live with a belief that we are super people, able to do so much more than what we were designed to do, or that we should be served in ways that others may not be able to oblige. We must bring our plans to the Lord to find rest and contentment. We are accustomed to laboring on our own, but with Jesus, we can trust him with the details and embrace his gracious gift of rest.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
God,
I lay down my unrealistic and overwhelming expectations. Each day is a gift, and I choose to trust you with what can be accomplished in my days. Please show me how to relax when things don’t quite go as I hoped. Please teach me how to live in your rest, knowing that all I do is by your strength alone. Let your peace that surpasses all understanding be upon me as I consider my goals. Your way, not my way.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. What are some unrealistic expectations you have been harboring? How can you trust that God provides what you cannot in these situations?
2. Start a gratitude list. When you feel tempted to be overwhelmed by your hopes, remember what you have to be thankful for.
3. Consider what tasks you can delegate so you can have more time for rest.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
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Originally published Monday, 25 August 2025.
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