The World Hates Dreamers: How Misfortune is Often Misunderstood Blessing

The world will always hate dreamers.

There have been many great dreamers in the history of mankind whose names we remember fondly. But more often than not, they were rarely appreciated in their own time.

Recently I was reading the story of Joseph again. (If you’ve never read it, I invite you to look in the Bible, in the book of Genesis Chapter 37 & 39-47.)

Joseph was born a dreamer. When I read this story I always regret the lack of context. Joseph shares audacious, almost arrogant dreams with his family. I wonder if he really was haughty and proud, or if it was just that his dreams sounded too outlandish to believe.

When the world hates dreamers, sometimes the problem is us, sometimes it’s them or both.

We dreamers are a passionate bunch and that passion can be overwhelming, even annoying. Eventually our friends and family get tired of hearing about it, especially if we are in the early stages where words outnumber actions.

We must nurture our excitement without repelling those we care about. We will need their support. Help them to catch the vision, or at least be enthused for us rather than scared away by us.

Fresh energy about a cause, idea or project can be infectious but it can also be exhausting. Be willing to tone it down but don’t be discouraged by naysayers either. Click To Tweet

Being a dreamer can look more like a curse than a blessing

If we want to understand what it looks like to be favored of God, we must examine the full picture laid out in Scripture.

There is a modern assumption that this means financial blessing and influence. Sometimes it does. But if you look carefully at Biblical figures like Joseph, you’ll see that the favored of God often experience some of the worst trials and tragedies.

Being favored of God looks more like a curse from the world’s perspective, which is both confusing and enraging. When I look at other Biblical characters like Job, his life is filled with God’s favor and material blessing and yet deep grief and loss. Those things can coexist and sometimes they must.

Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned far from his own land and culture. And yet, he became the second in command of Egypt. His dreams came to pass but probably not in the way he would have liked or chosen.

When we have big dreams and we find ourselves in the pit, we need to hold on to the fact that the favored of God are rarely the ones who have it easy. Click To Tweet

There is a song by All Sons & Daughters that has been on repeat in my life for the last year.

Wake Up, Wake up all you sleepers

Stand up, Stand up all you dreamers

Hands up, Hands up all believers

Take up your cross, carry it on

What makes this song different from most modern worship songs is that last line. It doesn’t claim victory from all difficulty, it doesn’t proclaim smooth pathways to easy existence. Our dreams and goals all lead to carrying the cross.

This may sound negative on the surface, but hear me, that is not my intention. We are all called to take up the cross, that’s what we signed on for. Each of us has a different one; they cannot be compared in size, shape, or apparent weight.

Our dreams may involve us, but they are never just about us

When the way appears to be clear and all the obstacles removed it is never simply for our convenience. It is to make us better able to carry that cross to where God is calling us. The work he has for us is not about or for us. It is all for his larger Kingdom purposes.

Whether I am experiencing material success or personal suffering, I need to ask, “What wider purposes might God have for this?” Click To Tweet

It is a fallacy to believe that we can only be used by God in our areas of strength. Quite often the opposite is true. Some of the deepest pain in my life has given me open doors into the lives of others.

The world will sometimes hate the dreamers of God because the world cannot understand how tragedy can bring blessing and burdens are a form of favor. Honestly, I don’t always understand it myself. But I know it’s true, like I know my next breath will come until I’ve done all there is for me to do.