When Dreams Burn Out

I learned something about myself tonight. If I jump into a downward spiral (whether it just be a weird funk, anger or sadness), I won't come back up for a while. Because I react so strongly to just about everything, I have to pull myself out of that funk after what I perceive to be the correct amount of time has passed for an acceptable graduation of my feelings. I think this is a pride thing. I don't think I want to have to admit that maybe I reacted too severely.

This morning, I was listening to Spirit FM as I drove to school. The morning devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries was about controlling our emotions (maybe I should have been tipped off, but then hindsight is 20/20 [yay cliche!]).

The radio introduction was very short and invited listeners to visit their website to read more. I went but couldn't actually find the exact devotion they talked about. The link was broken :(.

However, I did find a wonderful devotion about ruined plans/dreams that you first thought were God-given. I am a planner--course request, grad school, wedding (:D), future puppies, etc. I am the girl with plans. Multiple plans. Like the one week plan, one year plan, five year plan, ten year plan, etc. I realize that these things will most likely not end up the way I am planning them. I also think that I have a pretty good handle on the fact that I need to be open to those changes in plans sooner rather than later. Perhaps I should regard them instead as options. "Plan" is just too concrete. God will guide my steps--I just have to listen and take them as he calls me.

While I think I do have a good understanding of the fluidity of plans, I am still the type of person to hold onto a plan when it starts actually coming through. It's happening right? That opportunity opened up and I got it! This has to be where God wants me to be--the doors are all open!

So what happens when it turns out that it's not? When things turn out to not be like you thought they'd be. When things are not exactly living up to the expectations you had. When you stop hearing God in regards to your plan, turned dream, possibly turned reality.

It becomes unmistakably clear that maybe that wasn't the step you were supposed to take.

This author--Samantha Reed--wrote about where God is in these situations. It's easy to crawl into hole where you think God won't see you and you don't have to talk to him, when really, we should be turning toward him.

God's calling us to "Give Me the ashes; I'll do something with them. Something beautiful."

Let me decode. Ashes=your broken, fallen plan. Entire quote = read the blog. :)

When Life Breaks You

Remember, God made each day for us to be happy and successful. (Psalm 118:24-25). He has good things in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thanks for reading. :)