Shattered Dreams

Sometimes things don’t work out the way we thought.

It was certainly true for Joseph.

You see, he had this dream from God. Actually, two dreams. (Genesis 37:7, 9)

Each said that Joseph would be a ruler and that even his own family would be under his charge and care. (Genesis 37:8, 10)

So why was Joseph now in a pit? (Genesis 37:23-24)

Well, for one thing the dreamer needed to be prepared to handle the dream. (Did somebody reading this need to hear that?)

There is a humbling, humiliation that must take place in all of us so that we aren’t overcome with pride when our dream comes into being (especially if it has to do with leadership over people like Joseph’s dream).

And then there are a number of other important aspects as to the reasons dreams become shattered on the way to their realization.

I share those with you here…

7 Insights on Shattered Dreams (and how to deal with them):

1. Keep in mind who gave you the dream. If it’s God, then nothing can stop it. (Genesis 41:25, 32)
2. Understand that not everybody will get on board with the dream. (Genesis 37:5)
3. There will be those who become jealous over the dream. (Genesis 37:11)
4. There will be those who aggressively work to destroy the dream and the dreamer. (Genesis 37:18)
5. Forgive those that hurt you along the way (don’t be overcome with bitterness before your dream’s realization). (Genesis 50:20)
6. Realize that there is a gap between having the dream and the dream’s fulfillment. (Genesis 41:38-44; 42:6-7)
7. Keep believing your dream(s) even when it looks like it is (they are) shattered. (Genesis 37:24)

You might also be interested in:

• A Prescription for Victory Over Temptation
• On the Topic of Dreams, Dreaming and Dreamers