When Dreams Die

The DEATH DREAM Cycle
- Birth
- Rising Hope
- The Moment of Death
- Decay

There are many types of dreams that can die
- Spouse
- Having kids
- Family unit
- Career
- House
- Social status
- Friends
- Hobbies
- Legacy
- Retirement
- Investments

What CAUSES our dreams to die?
- Other people
- Unfortunate circumstances
- Our own fault
- Just didn’t work out
- God’s will

The RESULTS of a dead dream
- Bitterness
- Cynical
- Uncertainty

The PAIN of a dying dream
- Unmet expectations
- Disappointment
- Failure
- Regret
- Dissatisfaction

WHAT DO YOU DO ONCE YOUR DREAMS HAVE DIED?

As a Christian, we live in this peculiar place of having a future in God while also being told tomorrow is not guaranteed.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” - Romans 8:28-30

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” - James 4:13-15

SO, WHAT DO WE DO?
We hold our dreams with open hands – pressing forward, while praying “your will be done” and trusting God to be God and to be our Father.

5 SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES OF DREAMING WITH OPEN HANDS
1. Don’t force open a door that God has closed
2. Be wise at opportunities… but still do something
3. Trust God – His timing is not our timing
4. Find satisfaction in Jesus alone
5. Enjoy the ride – it’s your story being written, even if it’s not according to your plan

“…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10a

You can spend your life chasing a dream only to look back and realize you were living it the whole time.