No one wants to miss out on the best.  Just ask anyone who’s ever bought something they thought was a good deal, only to find out after the “point of no return” that a better deal came along!

We do all we can to control our environment to make sure we never miss out on the best.  We plan, research, ask around, set goals, take action—all to get the best mate, best training, best job, best stuff, best vacation… best life.

And yet we continually sabotage ourselves, defeating our purpose, in our quest for the best.  How?  By assuming the worst in any current or anticipated situation.   Skepticism, negative expectations, and a cynical mindset colors all our life in dismal gray.  Face it–

–> Assuming the worst can make us miss the best! 

How can we avoid this?

1. Don’t make the mistake of thinking “it will be the same (bad thing) as before.”

For example— my phone rang at dinnertime—I got up, saw the ID, and stopped it from ringing—it was another one of those annoying sales calls. (They have impeccable timing—like they can smell the food).

Five minutes later, another call came.  You can guess my first thought– “Oh, just let it go– why bother getting up?”  But I got up anyway to check, just in case it was a legit/important call.

It was– it was our son David– with great news that they’d gotten occupancy of their new house that morning– The answer to all of our prayers for them! That was such a fun, happy, call, and so sweet to connect with him! And I felt so glad he thought to call us right away with the news.

Here’s the take-away—I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t gotten up– because of assuming:  1)”It’s dinner-time– spam callers always call then;” 2) “A sales caller just called—this must be another one!”

The Lord is always doing a NEW thing for us—so don’t expect “same old”. 

“Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it will spring up.  Will you not be aware of it?”  Is. 43:19

2.  Expect the best from people (including yourself)– You may not get it, but you’re far more likely to get it if they know you’re expecting it. We rise or fall (closer) to the level of what others expect of us, or we expect of ourselves.  Seeing ourselves the way others see us is a powerful mirror—we take that reflection into our performance and relationships.

For example– Every class has one of those “troublemaker” kids—in reality or reputation. My high-school Sunday-School class had one.  Except I refused to believe he was a bad kid!  I saw his potential, given his sensitivity and authenticity, showed him I expected great insights from him—and that’s what he gave us— raw, but full of depth, wisdom, and practical application!

Then, the more he lived up to my expectations, the more he “owned” them himself—and became the guy that everyone expected the best from! 

People may not give us their best in one day or even one year, but they’ll grow into it as we give them those “shoes” to wear.

Which leads us to–

3.  Let people change– Don’t keep them frozen in the past.  One thing grown children all have in common is we don’t like our parents treating us like we’re still kids.

It’s even worse when they or others remember us for some failure, flaw, or fallibility, and treat us like that’s all they’re waiting for us to do again.  This goes back to falling to the level of others’ expectations. 

Do YOU want to be remembered for the time you… (insert thing you’re most ashamed of here)?  Worse yet, do you want people to essentially invite you to repeat it by regarding you as one in “suspended animation” expecting replication?

You’ll receive a lot better from people if you believe they’ve changed and give them space to demonstrate that.

Barnabas did this for Saul-turned-Paul in the Bible.  When others were understandably afraid to get near him, given his past record of persecuting Christian believers, Barnabas believed he’d changed.  He believed in the power of God to change people who are willing, such as Paul. 

He gave Paul the opportunity to prove it, and encouraged others to do the same.  His influence caused a chain-reaction of others giving him the same chance. And Paul didn’t disappoint them. (Acts 9:26-28) All of his church-planting, and most of the New Testament is proof of that.

Aren’t you glad Barnabas “unfroze” him, so we could all benefit from his best?!  We can do the same for others, even if they can’t write letters that become part of the Bible! 🙂

–>When it comes to life and people, why miss out on the best by assuming the worst?  Say “yes” to the best!