COPING WITH SHATTERED DREAMS

10th MARCH 2023

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him – James 1:12

Life is an enigma and its puzzle can only be solved with care and total submission to the will of God.

Today, my heart drifts to Naomi, whose dreams became shattered when she lost her husband and two sons, leaving her with no other means of livelihood, except Ruth, one of her daughters in – law. This case is not peculiar to Naomi; cases like that abound in our world today, and the question is, “what next, after all your dreams are shattered”? You may also begin to ask yourself; where was God all along? Or better still, where was Jesus when the devil struck, and even now, where is He?

To cope with shattered dreams is to undertake a journey of trust and faith in the One who made us and granted us a saving grace in Jesus Christ. No doubt, in the midst of perplexity, our Faith could shake due to unfulfilled expectations and on seeing our plans crumble like a pack of cards. One great mystery you have to learn on life’s journey is knowing why God seems to be silent when we are going through difficult times.  

I am greatly troubled by the question of why our faith should waive in the midst of adversity.  I know that God is good because I have tasted God’s goodness, enjoyed close fellowship with him, shielded by His love and tender care. Despite all that, I still drift off balance when confronted with the problems of life. No one person in the world will not be greatly troubled in the face of tragedy.

For instance, John the Baptist wavered and even doubted, at a point, whether Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus Christ also felt isolated by His Father on the Cross, and so he cried out – my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? To waver is a normal human response to a tragedy. However, what we do thereafter is what defined who we are!  When we have problems, do we hold onto God, believing in His everlasting faithfulness?

I believe we ought to continue to trust and have faith in God despite every odd. When we are with God, things don’t get worse; Even though restoration may take a gradual process, healing will come in the end. During those critical moments we are feeling hurt, pained, and dejected, we must hold onto God’s promises and lean on the staff of patience and endurance.

Remember that after darkness comes a golden dawn. Only God can tell the wisdom of letting a particular door shut permanently against us during trials. Only God knows why we must go through an obscure night or through a wilderness experience, at least once in a lifetime. He knows that it is in such drastic decisions that our eyes will open to a self-discovery of those latent abilities in us or cause us to become realigned with other opportunities around us. 

Therefore, in life, we may never see how God is using our trials and disappointment to change our lives for good, but there comes a day when we shall be grateful to God for all we had passed through. AMEN.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, I know you are ever-present in the midst of all my travails. I believe in your everlasting faithfulness. Therefore, I declare my future is secure and safe. Lord, strengthen me so I can withstand every anxiety and live with undying Faith in thy Word. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Psalm 22; Isaiah 40:31