I have, from experience till date, gone through this topic I am writing about in all dimensions of life; so I know more about what I was talking about. At first, it was almost very frustrating but, as time goes bye, I learnt to live by this topic "Don't expect too much!" on a daily basis.
Let us reflect on this from Mark 14:32-41 as follows:
"They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Jesus Christ's experience at that very time of His earthly need, is a lesson to us all to know that sometime when you need someone so dear, presumed to be trusted or reliable in every sense to your plight or seems to you to be there for you, it may surprise you to note that such people wouldn't be there for you at all; not because they didn't will to do so but, because they are also human. These people will resort to series of excuses of while they think they can't or won't be there for you to meet your need at that time.
Jesus Christ was going through lot of pains and agonies, sufferings untold and needed His closest allies to help Him get through that period but, He was bewildered to note that those He trusted so well to be of help were not even care about His plight. They were sleeping as at the time He needed their co-operation and assistance. This simply means, whether Jesus Christ like it or not, His problem was not their problem; and what Jesus Christ was going through was not their concern and business. In essence, Peter and his colleagues were telling Jesus Christ "go face your problem while we enjoy our sleep."
Somewhere, somehow, you may have been in such a situation of life before and expect so much from those around you to help you out of that situation or circumstance you have found yourself, Jesus Christ is telling you from His own experience in the above passages that "don't expect too much" from anyone while in a turbulent situation or circumstance beyond you.
You have to bear your cross alone whenever you are confronted with any situation above your ability or power. Whenever you are passing through an unpalatable situation, it should cross your mind that God is about to do a new thing in your life if you don't surrender to that situation. Nothing comes for nothing and nothing goes for nothing.
At a point in time, Peter was trying to make-up for his inability to support Jesus Christ initially, but Jesus was neither expecting his support anymore nor expecting too much from him again after the first experience He went through with Peter and his colleagues at Gethsemane. Jesus told him of how many times he's going to deny him this time around to compound His pains and agonies the more. Peter, in turn, told Jesus Christ what to expect this time around, and that it won't be as it was in the first place at Gethsemane. But, at last, Jesus Christ was proved right while Peter was proved wrong as written in Mark 14:66-72 thus:
"While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”70Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
All what Jesus Christ was teaching you and I through His sufferings and pains was that whenever you are faced with any situation above you, "don't expect too much" from anyone to save or deliver you out of that situation; they may even compound the situation more for you if and when care is not taking.
Jesus Christ went further to let us know that even at that time, you may be expecting "too much from God" to bail you out but, may be disappointed as well. Not that God cannot or would not but, He wanted your situation to glorify and honor Him at the end. As written in Mark 14:33-37 that
"At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last."
From the above, you would noticed that God was even silent concerning Jesus Christ's plight. God allowed Jesus Christ some space out of the Father-Son's relationship existing between them before then; Jesus understood well enough what was expected from Him at that point, and He didn't disappoint God. You may be mocked as Jesus Christ was mocked, don't surrender, God is about to be glorified if and when you are able to finish well; and not expecting too much from people around you.
When you expect too much from man and God like so many of us use to do thinking God is a ROBOT of some sort; and it was not coming forth as expected, you'll feel betrayed and neglected, whereas God was telling you and expecting you to finish well in that situation and He will glorify you with Him at the end of it all.
No matter your situation as at present, "don't expect too much" from men; it may be that God is waiting for you to finish well as Jesus Christ did so as to glorify you along with Himself after the situation might have turned to your favor.
"Don't expect too much"; either from man or even God while in that unpalatable situation; God silence does not mean He didn't see you going through that situation, He is only waiting for you to finish well and be victorious over that situation so as to be glorified through that circumstance or situation facing you right now.
Stay blessed and please share with others; who knows, you may save a soul from committing suicide!
