Everyone has goals and dreams that one day they wish to see come to pass, and while that is normal and even encouraged, I have found that I have become very selfish in my dreams. I have recently noticed that these dreams have become all I think about, all I plan for and all I focus on, and I have allowed them to distract me, becoming idols for a future definition of who I will be. I have made them centered around what I think will be the best suite, most convenient and most fulfilling one day. I desire a notable college degree, to attain my dream occupation, marry the man God has for me, have kids, build my dream home and live a happy life just like any other would. Although those are dreams I hope will on day be in God's will, I have found myself being selfish in the sense that I live to acquire those things, and I have found that they have consumed my thoughts and desires and drowned God's out. I have planned this life that I think would be classified as a happy life for myself, but in my check list of accomplishment I have left little room for God to move or have His way. The other day I read Daniel 3:18, And if not He is still good, if none of my dreams that I have prayed and worked so hard to fulfill come to pass...would I still be able to say that? It is easy to say "yes, He is good all the time!" , but more difficult to say it and mean it when something didn't follow through as planned. Our own will can be our worst enemy, and often we miss a blessing because we are too caught up in the fact it didn't go our way. Our ways are never higher than the most high, and even when we think every piece has been figured out God has a funny way of showing who is truly in charge. Submitting to Him doesn't mean worshiping Him as though we have surrendered all, but truly dying before Him and letting Him use us as the vessel. We have to choose what we will live for, our dreams or His plans, and by no means is this an easy choice to make. Being in all of Him doesn't mean our dreams will never come to pass, but perhaps more in alignment with His will and timing. If I attain my desired degree in four years, and if not He is still good. If I am blessed to work in my dream occupation, and if not He is still good. If I marry the perfect man created for me by God, and if not He is still good. If I have the family and all the trimmings of a home built, and if not He is still good. Finding true happiness in life isn't fulfilling all dreams resonated in the human mind, but finding our purpose in His will and growing within it in things only possible through Him. This mindset that He is good all the time requires a change of heart, mind, and attitude because in moments when our world has crumbled, and our hope is gone it is truly difficult to say. Becoming immune to saying it in the good times makes it more direct response in the difficult times. Our soul purpose on earth isn't to abide by the world's standards and dream incompetent dreams, but surpass our own ability and dream dream that only He can fulfill. Let His kingdom come, not our own. I love the way God works in mystery and how we are able to reflect back to times we didn't understand His reasons, and understand that He truly had our best interest in mind. He is a God of good works and when we surrender our dreams to Him, He enables us to do His good works within our calling. Although, sometimes the answer is no. This is probably the answer we all hate because we see the narrow picture, and how "perfect" it would be if it goes our way, but He sees the broad picture and how well it will be going His way. So, even when the answer is not the right timing, you're not ready, the situation isn't clear yet or even no...He is still good. He who starts a good work in you will see it to completion, but the key word is work. That work is and never will be your work, but His work through you. The completion may not be your vision or definition of completion, but His. Trust that greater is He that is in you, His ways are higher than our own and His vision for your life is far more than can be fathomed. Chose that on mountains high and in valleys low to still praise our God because He who saw you to it, will see you through it.