Wrestling the Dream-killer
Dianne Barker
Dianne Barker here, wondering…have you wrestled the dream-killer?
Weariness and its family—exhaustion, fatigue, disillusionment—are experts at destroying dreams. Their persuasive whispers can talk us out of doing what we believe God called us to do.
Authors battle weariness on many fronts. We begin a project with enthusiasm but time and trials slay our energy and our expectation.
Who hasn’t felt searing pain when an editor slashed hope of publishing the manuscript we penned in heart’s blood? Who hasn’t stumbled under the weight of marketing demands? Who hasn’t declared, “I give up!”
In such a place, questioning the worth of my work, I heard a soft voice in my spirit. “It’s good and God is in it.” I wrote a note and placed it at my keyboard to keep me focused.
Apostle Paul gave me another boost. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Steadfast is one of my favorite words. I found it in 2 Thessalonians 1:4. Paul bragged on the church for their “steadfastness (your unflinching endurance and patience) and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up.”
I found it in Matthew 16:24. Jesus explained to his disciples what following him involved. “If anyone desires to be My disciple let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying also].”
I found it in the Hebrews commentary on Moses. “[Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27).
Steadfast. Fixed. Immovable. Unwavering. Never flinching. Holding staunchly to our purpose.
That’s how we wrestle the dream-killer.
Weariness does its most effective work in our thoughts, and that’s where we confront it. When the Lord gives an assignment, here’s our strategy:
- Respond in obedience, knowing the path may be crooked and rough and our mission threatened by obstacles and detours.
- Cling steadfastly to Christ, confident He will help us hold up under persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions.
- Remain firm in our position, never flinching, holding staunchly to our purpose.
- Persevere in confidence, knowing in Christ we can abound—be plentiful, thriving, flourishing—for our labor is not wasted.
When you’re facing a rock wall with no way to pass, consider this. The Lord gathered up the waters of the sea so His people could cross on dry land. He fed them manna from heaven and gave them drink from a rock. Never doubt that He can split that stone and make a path for you.
Expect the dream-killer to visit again. But don’t give up. Challenge is dressed in opportunity.
(All Scriptures from The Amplified Bible.)
About Dianne Barker
Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Christian Authors Network, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and Christian Women in Media. Visit www.diannebarker.com.
