I HATE inconsistent and undefined expectations! I HATE inconsistent and undefined expectations to the point that I call them “moving targets!” I HATE trying to guess what a person wants! I HATE wondering if it is good enough or meets what they are looking for!
I HATE moving targets to the point where I give them power over me (hence the word “HATE”). I become agitated, irritable, angry and frustrated. The worst part is, I take this out on those around me (thus becoming a “moving target” to them) leaving a wake of hurt and destruction. This is wrong on my part! It is completely unChristlike! (I have NO idea if you have ever experienced this; if you have, then I am glad I am NOT alone!!)
Humility and contentment go hand in hand. I confess, when it comes to moving targets, I am prideful (opposite of humility) and discontented. Instead of being honest and saying, “I am afraid to fail,” “I do not know what I am doing” or “I need help,” I turn into a monstrous person who is not fit for society. As much as I do not want to say that, it is true. My pride and discontentment by moving targets truly becomes all consuming. I get so frustrated to the point where I just want to scream and hit something. God knows the situation I am in and yet I act as if He has forgotten me or it is His fault there are no clearly defined or consistent expectations. At times, I do not seek God because I am so focused on getting out of the situation that I try to handle this in my own strength, power, might, wisdom, knowledge etc.
Even though God’s Word tells me how to live and respond in every situation, I fall short more than I can count or even realize. Currently, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” is one of the most popular/trendy verses. Yet, it is in the realm of contentment that Paul makes this declaration. Paul is able to be content with much or little (Phil 4:11-12) because he knows that God’s grace is sufficient for him (2 Cor 12:8-10). I need to reclaim the real meaning of this verse and live content in whatever situation I am in (whether expectations are clearly defined or moving targets!).
The Bible is consistent, it is NOT a moving target. God’s Word is Truth and Standard. God is infallible and unchanging; man is fallible and ever changing.
Whatever moving targets that are in your life, I pray that you will know that God sees you, He hears you and He is not surprised by any of this. His grace is more than sufficient to help you (and me) live in humility and contentment.
Father God, confession truly is good for the soul! You know that moving targets, inconsistent and undefined expectations freak my soul and spirit! Lord, I pray that if this reader experiences this, they will know that You are with them. I pray this reader will find comfort in knowing they are not alone! I praise You Lord that Your Word is both Truth and Standard! I ask Lord, that for the reader who has NO idea what I am talking about, that You will give them words to encourage others who struggle in this area. Lord God, humility and contentment go together. Help me, help us be honest about what we are experiencing and not go at it alone. Help us to respond to moving targets in a way that pleases and honors You. May our responses to life’s situations be an encouragement to believers and unbelievers. Thank You Father for calming my anxiety, may You do the same for this reader. Lord God, may this reader hold me accountable to live in humility and contentment and may I do the same for this reader, in Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.
Blue Collar Theologian 
Well put
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Perhaps Paul was content in alll things because he had given up his desire to control. The moving targets are a thing out of our control. The only thing we really have control over is ourselves. This does not mean that we should not try to exert control over some things such as money, spending, saving, and debt, but not so much over people. Likewise, other people should not try to control us so much that they drive us to anger. I have found that my own life is happiest when I do not try to control those around me. The fact is most things are never fully in our control.
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This is so great, Mandy! Thanks for sharing such truth about humility and using those situations to draw closer to God rather than staying agitated and trying to fix the situations on our own. Great post!
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