The other day I was looking at old videos of when our son Connor was almost one in a half years old. Connor was smiling at us, laughing, with full eye contact like a typical child. When I would say something to him he would automatically respond. In the video I saw him playing with his mom and other kids who came over to the house without any hesitation. Today, it’s a bit hard for me to watch those video’s from the past because just a few short months after that video was shot everything changed. Without getting into a lot of details our typical child was going to be diagnosed a few short months later with Autism. When I look back and start to linger in the past I start to think what could we have done differently? Was this our fault? Then like a flood all of these feelings of guilt come pouring in. It can lead to feelings of regret, depression, fear, and a myriad of negative thoughts.
Through a process what I’ve learned is we can’t control what has happened in the past. We want to replay it but God does not want us to do that. He wants to show us a greater plan then what would have originally happened. When were controlled by our past our dreams of what might of been hinder the possibility of what could be. Now we see a life of broken dreams.
Instead of dwelling on what we can’t control we have to let God show us a new dream. When God begins to show us the possibility of what could be we let go of what we thought would happen and receive the making of a new destiny. God moves us from focusing on the broken dream to the making of new dream. In life we can find ourselves being dream makers or dream breakers.
Dream makers may get knocked down but they pick themselves up, dust themselves off and move forward on their journey knowing God has a greater plan designed just around the corner. They get a vision of victory for their life and the life of their family. They may not see it now, but God will see it for them. What we can’t see, God can. Faith doesn’t make things easy, it makes things possible. I had to let go of the video playing in my mind of what once was, and embrace the new story of what could be.
Dream breakers struggle with letting go of the past instead of embracing the future. At times, it’s good to remember the past but not live in it. New dreams are waiting to come into focus, but they can be blocked by past disappointments, negative words and past hurts. Life-altering moments can ultimately be a breakthrough or a breakdown. The key is to never let the past stop us from moving forward. The breakthrough happens when we decide to let go and make the change. What has happened in the past does not determine our final destination. I’ve had to learn not to dig up things that need to be buried. The future is too important to live in the past. As difficult as it has been I don’t think I would change anything about our journey with our son Connor. Today, I’m a better husband, a better dad, a better friend.
If the enemy keeps reminding you of what’s happened negatively in the past, respond with the 3 R’s….RECOGNIZE the enemy, REFUSE to entertain the enemy’s thoughts and RESIST the enemy. Tell the enemy in Jesus name you must flee! Let prayer be your first response not your last resort. Our prayer on earth activates God’s power in Heaven.
In the bible when Elijah was being chased by Jezebel he thought his life was over. Even after the huge victory of defeating the prophets of Baal. Yet, while Elijah was thinking the worst, God was planning the best. He heard God speak through a gentle whisper and God once again took care of his enemies. Don’t let fear of what might happen keep us from the joy of what could happen.
Our greatest success often rises out of the ashes of disappointment. Keep believing, keep looking up. If you stay in faith what was meant to stop you will propel you to a new level. Our lowest points are launching pads to God’s greatest promotions.