Replace broken dreams with new ones
“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare, to ask or even dream of.”
— Ephesians 3:20
I realized broken dreams give way to new and better ones when, years ago, I had one that affected my career, my health and my relationships. It left me housebound for eight years, creating many challenges. I learned new spiritual and emotional insights and watched God create new dreams.
When life shatters your dreams, you feel hopeless, grieved, alone. You feel like you’ll never achieve anything, let alone your dreams. That’s when we have to learn how to discern the voice of God, and remind ourselves he has a plan for us.
Know that things take time. Growth takes time. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (NKJV 1:4).
Develop new interests. Try something new. Educate yourself. Faith is a key element. “It’s the substance of things hoped for” (Hebrews 1:2).
Even if you don’t feel it, make a choice to stay positive.
“The thief comes to steal and kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) especially our dreams. Oftentimes, through unrealistic expectations, we think things should materialize the way and in the timing we want. We must be willing to drop our unrealistic expectations and see things from a different perspective and allow our dreams to unfold. “The willing and obedient will eat the best of the land” (Isaiah 1:19).
Become self-reflective. We need to learn from the good, the bad and the ugly experiences we’ve had.
Past sins and mistakes can fade away when we ask God to forgive us. There’s no sin or mistake God can’t forgive.
When life blindsides us, learning to properly grieve and work through anger, hurt and disappointment, without becoming bitter or stuck in self-pity, brings new life and peace and motivates us to move forward.
Never give up. Keep believing God can transform and replace our broken dreams.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.