Strength to Soar by Toni LaShaunՕրինակ

## Dreams Deferred What do you do when your dreams and desires have yet to be fulfilled? What do you do when time moves way too fast and yet seems too slow all at the same time? What do you do when the world around you seems to be falling apart? This is where I was. These were the questions I had. I'm sure others have felt this same way. Have you ever felt very strongly that God had placed certain desires in my heart and knew they would come to pass as you delight yourself in Him (Psalm 37:4), but, life's circumstances took over? Broken and shattered by grief, we can plunge into a deep depression and maybe not, at the time, see a reason to continue living. But, with the help of God's Word and trusted friends and family in the faith, we can survive the grief. Even through periods of isolation, which are often followed by more grief when we didn't really even know what to pray anymore and life is happening so fast, we can fight to find hope and joy. We know God can, but sometimes, struggle to believe God will breathe life into our dreams and desires amid disease, death, devastation, disaster and discord. Let me encourage you with what God did for me. One day, the Holy Spirit gave me some much needed perspective. He pointed me to God's Truth…"those who trust in the Lord will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). And, this is not just any strength, this is strength to walk, to run, to endure, strength to soar! No matter how bad the circumstances in the world seemed, no matter how hard the situations in our lives seemed, none of it changed the fact that God is good (Psalm 116:5) and nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)! Leaning on the truth of God's Word can help you have hope again. Where do you turn for light in the midst of darkness? Lord, in our darkest hours, please help us to wait on and trust in You, knowing that You will revive, refresh and restore us in the Mighty Name of Jesus!