When Dreams Disappear

When faced with the possible loss of a long-cherished dream, what’s a Christian man to do?

Well, he can hold to that dream ever more tightly even as it slips from his grasp. He can pound on God’s door, demanding access and results. He can turn bitter over the hand that life has dealt him. He can refuse to do his best because he is angry over the unfair treatment he feels others have given him. He can wrap up his entire self-worth in his dream and not feel like a man unless he attains it.

Or the man of God can loosen his grip, even open his hand, and allow the dream to go where it will. He can continue asking God about the dream, but with a willingness to accept God’s answer (whatever it is) and follow God’s will. He can use the disappointment as an opportunity to learn humility and trust, and to explore other opportunities he may not have considered while the dream burned bright, possibly blinding him to other paths. He can do his work heartily, as unto the Lord not men, knowing that God is the proper focus of all our dreams anyway. He can realize his worth does not depend on the dream and that he is loved no matter what he does, or doesn’t, accomplish with his life.

Which way will you choose?

About Stan Guthrie

Stan Guthrie is an editor at large for Christianity Today magazine and for the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview. His latest book is God's Story in 66 Verses. He also is author of All that Jesus Asks: How His Questions Can Teach and Transform Us, Missions in the Third Millennium: 21 Key Trends for the 21st Century, and A Concise Guide to Bible Prophecy. He is co-author of The Sacrament of Evangelism. Besides authoring, writing, and editing books, Stan is a literary agent, bringing together good authors, good books, and good publishers. Stan writes the monthly Priorities colum for BreakPoint.org. He has appeared on National Public Radio's €œTell Me More,€ WGN's Milt Rosenberg program, and many Christian shows, including The Eric Metaxas Show and Moody Radio'€™s €œNew Day Florida.€ A licensed minister and an inspirational speaker, he served as moderator for the Christian Book Expo panel discussion, Does the God of Christianity Exist, and What Difference Does It Make?
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