My heart sank inside my chest as I stared at the words on my computer. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. A friend of mine had just received her very first book contract. Though I wanted to be happy for her, I was anything but happy. Rather, I was frustrated and angry. Her accomplishment was incredible, and I envied it. To be honest, I envied her. Why had she received a book contract and I hadn’t?
I was trying to be “faithful in the little things.” I blogged consistently. I submitted articles to various organizations. I prayed for wisdom about my writing and for success in getting published. I was slowly expanding my platform as a writer. I couldn’t figure out what I was missing or what I was doing wrong. I wanted to know if I was doing enough to make my dreams come true.
And then I began to realize the truth: I wasn’t trusting God’s plan. I wanted to receive a book contract now. I wanted to be a successful author now. I wanted my dreams to come true now. But that clearly wasn’t God’s will for me. Even though I struggled to accept His will, He graciously used my disappointment to teach me three important things about my dreams—and I’ll share them with you here:
1. It may not be time for you to achieve your dreams.
I don’t know what dreams you have. You may dream about forming a worship band, traveling around the world, starting your own business, or becoming a professional photographer. Those dreams may not come true—or it may not be time for them to come true. God may provide opportunities in your future that you can’t even fathom in this moment. In the meantime, trust His timing because it’s always perfect. Wait for Him to work, submitting to His will for your life.
2. God’s plans for your friends are different than His plans for you.
God created you uniquely, and He has a unique plan for your life. That’s why comparing your life to your friends’ lives is silly. His plans for them aren’t the same as His plan for you! Instead of feeling discouraged and discontented about this, take heart. His will for you is good, even if it’s different than His will for your friends.
3. God has a plan for you that’s better than the plan you have for yourself.
Last summer, I applied for several jobs but felt discouraged when I didn’t get any of them. However, God used my discouragement for good. He led me to a unique opportunity that allowed me to make money while spending time with my family. Though it isn’t wrong to make plans, they can become idols if we become more determined to follow them than follow God. His plans for us are perfect—better than we can ever imagine—and when we trust them, we can have true peace.
Final Thoughts
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV)
Honestly, life is more fulfilling when we focus on the Dream-Giver, not our dreams. Yes, we can have goals in life and work toward achieving them. I still want to be a published author one day, so I’m writing, blogging, and trying to expand my platform now. But the key to chasing our dreams is trusting the one who can do far greater than we can ask or think.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 