When the Dream is Harder than We Thought

Exodus 2:23b, NIV

The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.

Exodus 16:2-4a, NIV

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. 

Numbers 11:4-6, NIV

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

The Israelites dreamed of—and cried out for—freedom from slavery. For deliverance. For a new life. 

And when they got it, it was harder than they thought it was going to be.

More uncomfortable. 

More costly. 

More refining.

So if you’re living the dream, and it’s harder than you thought it would be, remember how far God has brought you. Remember that you’re living what you once dreamed of. We have to be purposeful to choose gratitude when the flesh wants to choose complaint.

We must not curse the blessing. 

We must not curse the calling. 

No dream is easy. 

No calling is easy. 

No promise comes easy. 

But it’s always worth it.

Keep walking it out—and see what God will do.