God-sized Dreams

Where Dreams Set Sail

Letting Go of a Dream

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I’ve always struggled with the book of Job. For years, I couldn’t get past the beginning where God gives Satan permission to test Job. I didn’t like that part, so that’s where I stopped reading. But, over the years, it seems God has led me to the book of Job on several occasions.

While I was thinking about God-given dreams recently, I read this verse:

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
Job 42:12a NLT

I know I’ve read it before because I remember thinking, Yeah, but he lost so much before that! I got stuck in what happened to Job and couldn’t move forward. Much like we do in real life.

How often do we get stuck in the past, unable to move forward in the present?

How often do we get stuck in the past, unable to move forward in the present?

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It’s easy to do that with dreams that don’t materialize. Maybe it’s because real-life responsibilities and obligations keep us from pursuing our dreams. Or perhaps we’ve worked and worked, but still haven’t seen the dream come true. After a while, we decide it’s just not meant to be.

There’s a difference between giving up and letting it go. Giving up comes from disappointment and discouragement. It closes the door on the dream and can lead to resentment.

The decision to let go of a dream can also come from disappointment and discouragement, but it leaves the door open for God to work in ways we don’t expect and can’t imagine.

We may grieve the loss of a dream, and that’s an appropriate emotion. It’s also an important part of the healing process that allows us to move forward.

Job had plenty of reasons to grieve—he lost so much, but he never turned away from God. In fact, he reaffirmed his faith in Him.

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
Job 42:1-2 NLT

We don’t know how long Job’s healing process was, but we know he walked through it and was blessed by God—probably more than Job ever imagined was possible.

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
Job 42:5 NLT

If you’ve had to let go of your dreams, for whatever reason, don’t count God out. Leave the door open for God to work in ways you don’t expect and can’t imagine. Even when we don’t know what we’re watching for, we can trust He’s there, and His work is worth waiting for.

We don’t know what to watch for, but trust God’s there & His work is worth waiting for.

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Shared by: Laura Rath

 

                                       

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Comments

  1. Try as I might, I can’t get my head around this book. I’ve read it through on several occasions. Most recently with first5. I’ve heard sermons, studied it in groups and on my own. It’s a hard read. My take away? At the end is hope. Eternal hope after the chaos of living.

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  3. Job is a hard slog through discouragement, and I always come back to the fact that Job did not have the benefit of our behind the scenes perspective. And he had no idea that God would restore everything to him, and yet he came down, ultimately, on the side of trust. When I find myself banging on God’s door looking for answers, I remember Job, because he did not receive the answers he wanted (like Jesus in Gethsemane and Paul with this thorn in the flesh). Instead, God showed up at the door with the gift of Himself.

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  4. Laura, thank you for this reminder of the difference between giving up and letting it go. When we let go of the dreams and place it in His hands, God will bring it forth in His way and for His glory. Oh to trust Him with it all. Blessings!

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  5. I’ve always loved that verse in Job. I actually find the book of Job to be encouraging. It grounds you. As humans we actually only want the good stuff – but that’s not realistic and that’s not what God has promised. Job went through and came out stronger; he wouldn’t have had his ending if he didn’t.

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  6. I love what you said, “The decision to let go of a dream can also come from disappointment and discouragement, but it leaves the door open for God to work in ways we don’t expect and can’t imagine.”

    I have felt like Job many times and I seem to be able to muster through it with GOD. However, after reading your post I realize where I really struggle is letting go of the dream. Thank you for your post.

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  7. I’ve struggled with Job, too! I actually avoided the story at all costs for fear that the loss would rub off on my life. Silly, but true.

    You are so right about this: “There’s a difference between giving up and letting it go.”

    Letting go may be hard but it can be an exhale in the most beautiful way.
    Thank you for sharing such beautiful truth.

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  9. Thank you for sharing and articulating letting go verses giving up. I have a tendency to struggle with letting go because I feel that I am giving up. I appreciate your insight, your words are inspirational!

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  10. Like others, I love how you differentiate between giving up and letting go. When we hand our dreams over to God, he can do amazing things, even if it’s not in the way we expected.

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  11. “There is a difference between giving up and letting go.” HUGE DIFFERENCE! One is about being defeated. The other is about overcoming. crucial to remember! thanks!

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  12. So many conflicted emotions when it comes to Job! We don’t love it but you are right –we do get stuck on the loss, and not the double blessing in the end. One doesn’t negate the other… but it’s such a picture of how good our God is and how much He desires to bless us! So thankful we serve a God of restoration!

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  13. Thanks for the encouragement, Laura. His work IS worth waiting for. Well worth it, but oh we don’t like the wait, especially when we lose things we love.

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  15. There have been times when I have been discouraged because I was not able to differentiate between giving up and letting go. Holding on to God’s promises and knowing his word is so essential in these times. Your post is enlightening and encouraging. I have watched my husband struggle with this same issue and I will share your post with him. Thank you.

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