Tired Dreams

 Is that a term you have lived?  Let me elaborate. I have always been a dreamer and believed that what ever I ask of God it shall be given unto me if I am faithful to Him at least that's what the book of Matthew tells me. I have always encouraged people to dream, but what happens when that dream is not answered. At least not in the time or way you would have liked it or pictured it. Whatever the dream may be you still hold onto it and wonder when or how or if it will ever be answered.
  In the last year I have experienced the fatigue of emotions and mental disappointments of an unanswered dream.   I have felt days of defeat and wanting to fly the white flag in surrender. The emotional drain of the dream being constantly on your mind and in your prayer is exhausting to the point of physically not wanting to get out of bed. There always seem to be reminders around when you are not thinking of your dream that remind you that it hasn't been answered yet. Does anyone get what I am saying?
  This could be anything from a loved one who has forgotten God to the longing of a companion and the list goes on.  I want to encourage you to not loose hope. In the past year I could not let go of the dream of becoming a mother. I knew this was something God had placed deep within me and I knew it was not going away anytime soon. So I researched all the women in the Bible who were barren. Do you know what I found? A multitude of women who longed for the same dream I had and waited. It doesn't say how long they waited or the definition of "in time Hannah conceived". So I have no idea if it was months, years or decades. What I do know is in time these obedient and faithful women received their dream.
  Notice the words obedient and faithful. They are the two common grounds that I found in the list of women documented in the Bible that were barren.  Obedience simply means "the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person; the trait of being willing to obey." Faithful simply means "any loyal and steadfast following".  I found it interesting that in order to obey you have to act, it is a verb; the same with being faithful you have to be steadfast. So how then can you move and not move?  Think about it. Ask yourself am I being obedient?  If you don't know start reading more of His Word to find out. Don't forget to tithe. The act of tithing is an act obedience of giving of the "first fruit" of your store house. Are you being faithful?  Has your faith been shaken or have you questioned it?  Or have you become more steadfast in your faith in Christ? The way I answered this question was by my thoughts and deep down beliefs on if God was going to make my dream come true. If you know that He will give you the desires of your heart, but don't know how, that's okay. It means you have some faith left in there and that's okay too.
  I know it is hard to live what seem like everyone around you is living their dream, while you are living your nightmare, but hang on. He has not forgotten you.  "In time" you will receive your dream. I don't know how and can't dream of how God will make it come true, but I know He will. I encourage you on days that seem unbearable to find your strength in His Word and find your encouragement in those around you praying for you. Also remember your comfort will not come from them, but from the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to "give us" at His departure from this Earth.
   Ask yourself on a scale of one to ten where would I rate my fear of what I dream never coming true. 10 being never; 1 being He definitely will. Do a soul searching inventory to make sure you are mentally focused on the right focus. Put yourself through a spirit spa, that sounds wonderful doesn't it?  Find a refreshing and renewing in the Hope of God's Promises written all in His Bible.  Refocus your strength not on your own might and power, but on His might and power. Learn to really rely on God with your dreams. With Him they will come true. I know that to be a Promise!

Psalm 62:5, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." (NIV)

Proverbs 23:18, "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (NIV)  

to be continued...  A Dream given in 1997 made true November 2010...