Desperation or Anticipation?

The Oxford dictionary defines desperation as “a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior.” We have examples in the Bible of desperation, but we also have examples of anticipation.
 
While desperation is related to extreme behavior, anticipation is related to expectation. Two very different behaviors that we can exhibit while we are waiting. We can become desperate, or we can live with the expectation that God will do what He said.
 
Desperation will lead us to disobedience, delayed obedience, and have us trying to come up with ways to “help or hurry” God as Sarah did while waiting for the promise of a son. Saul is another example of someone that became desperate in the waiting with terrible consequences. God does not want us to grow desperate as we wait.
 
We can anticipate the goodness of God, an answered prayer like Hannah and Simeon, or we can grow desperate like Saul or Sarah. Hannah experienced the transformation of desperation to anticipation by praying. Hannah left transformed even though there was no evidence that the Lord had answered her prayer. It was faith, and it was trusting that God is able. Hannah decided that she was going to trust God and His perfect timing – there she wiped her tears and experienced the joy of trusting God with those things she had asked of Him. She experienced His peace.
 
Like Hannah, Simeon was described as a person that was waiting in anticipation – “now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25).
 
Simeon was waiting for what God had promised. God did not ignore Simeon’s way of living – he was waiting, in expectation that God will do as He said. And God answered Simeon by holding this long-awaited promise in his arms at the temple.
 
Desperation will lead us to disobedience; anticipation will lead us to our knees to the only One that can change our circumstances and answer our prayers.
 
Prayer: Lord, change my desperation to the anticipation of what You will do. You are worthy of our trust. Like Simeon and Hannah, I want to live in anticipation of your mighty works in my life.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
 

Desperation or Anticipation During the Wait?

We hope you enjoyed this beautiful devotion written by one of Lifetime’s hopeful adoptive mothers, Clarissa. In domestic adoption, the wait to be chosen by a birth mother is challenging for many hopeful adoptive parents.
 
Maybe you began your adoption journey after struggling with infertility. Or perhaps the Lord simply put it on your heart to open your home to a child through adoption. No matter what route led you to adoption, you may have quickly learned that it often involves a season of waiting.
 
Desperation and anticipation are two very different behaviors that hopeful adoptive parents can exhibit when waiting. Will you choose to become desperate or live with the expectation that God will do what He said?
 
Growing your family through adoption can be complex and emotionally draining. Plus, it can seem to stop and start so many times you end up with whiplash—not just for your feelings, but also your faith!
 
If God calls you to adopt, it’s a profoundly joy-filled calling. He does not want you to grow desperate as you wait for a birth mother to select you as adoptive parents to her baby. Seize the opportunity to abide in the Lord, and a chance to live out the gospel of love in your own home.
 
Trust that the Lord has a baby for you!