The Path of Demandingness

The following diagram describes the cycle of becoming demanding of God, others and your circumstances. You begin with desires that may be biblical or unbiblical. When you believe that you deserve these desires be met, they quickly become demands, perceived needs or rights. As you look to your circumstances and people to meet these demands you will inevitably be left with disappointment. Then, as you place yourself as the judge over your circumstances, people and even God you become angry, critical, judgmental, negative, fearful and discontent.


This disappointment will soon turn into discouragement. You become self-focused, viewing yourself as a victim or martyr, living in self-pity. You begin blaming God and others for your unmet expectations. Discouragement can eventually lead to sinful depression. You have lost hope of having your perceived needs, rights or demands met, so your anger is turned inward as well.

God’s solution is that you correct your sinful beliefs about what you really deserve. God’s resources are to confess how you have sinfully responded to the impact of your unmet demands, renew your mind concerning your beliefs about what you deserve, relinquish your perceived rights and forgive those who have disappointed you. You can then put your hope in God and trust His sovereign plan and provision for your life.

See also Goals For Biblical Obedience, The Self-Life from “The Controllers”, Letting Christ Satisfy and Fulfill You and “When Rights Are Wrong”.

For a video overview of this please click here.