I’m sure you’ve heard some of these well-intentioned comments:

“At least you have a husband.”
“At least you already have a child.”
“You may not enjoy it, but at least you have a job.
“Well, at least you’re healthy.”
“At least you still have________________
“At least you don’t suffer with _____________”

Oh, the sting of well-intentioned remarks when there’s something more that is burdening your heart. And, oh the sting of those two guilt-ridden words: “At least….”

As I’ve ministered to women over the past 30 years, I have seen quite a few women settle for “at least” in their life. And yet, I believe that if God went to such great extremes to show His love for you and me by having His only Son die on the cross for us, then He did not intend for us to be content with “at least.”

Yes, God’s Word says we are to be thankful “in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). He also tells us that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). But God doesn’t want our gratitude and contentment to be a form of resignation (“I guess I should be happy with this, since it’s all I will ever get anyway”). Rather, God wants His children to be full of anticipation for the “more” that He is so capable of giving — to the point that we thank Him ahead of time for all that He is about to do.

This God who tells us to be thankful in all things actually raises the bar when we decide to settle for less or at least what life brings us:

In Ephesians 3:20, we are told that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” You and I often hear or think or say the words “at least” when it comes to our lives. And yet God’s Word says:

•  “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22).

•  “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full” (John 16:24).

•  He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

•  “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

Those words, my friend, come from a God who is not stingy, and who doesn’t bow out after He’s done the very minimum in your life. He is, instead, the God who says “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).

You and I have our reasons for not expecting big things from God.

1. We feel guilty about asking God for something for ourselves, so we don’t ask.
2. We don’t really believe God can do the impossible.
3. We don’t believe God would want to bless our lives or we feel we don’t deserve anything more from Him.

When you and I say “I don’t really deserve any more than I have right now,” we are actually correct in our assumption, because God doesn’t give us good gifts because we deserve them. He gives us good gifts because He is good and compassionate and wants to bless His children.

So, what are you settling for? A dating relationship with someone you know is not right for you? A job you tolerate because you don’t believe God has something better out there for you? A diagnosis that appears untreatable?

Don’t fall into the mind-set of saying “I don’t believe God can or will give me any more” or “I don’t deserve more than what I already have.” Instead, remember that God loves to bless His children. And then pour out your heart to Him. Rather than settle for the least in your life, allow for the possibility God may want to do “immeasurably more than all (you) ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

What are you hoping in God for that seems impossible right now?

(From When God Sees Your Tears, my newest book that is now available.)