Proverbs 13:19

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

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Everyone loves to see a dream come true. There’s nothing quite like finally tasting the sweetness of a long-awaited desire fulfilled. The Bible uses the word longing and I like that because–some things you wait for, wish for, and hope for, sometimes longer than you even think you can. And then…BOOM IT HAPPENS!

But here’s what I’ve learned: often–the biggest barrier between you fully savoring that sweet moment: isn’t outside of you — it’s your own head.

I know folks who’ve chased their dreams hard, worked tirelessly, and yet, when they finally reach the finish line, there’s this emptiness. Even a quiet voice inside asking, Is that it? Like the celebration got canceled and you’re looking around to see who rained on your parade…and it was you.

I’ve felt it too — finishing my first album, writing my book and seeing it published, graduating from college— and in the middle of that joy, hearing that small question:

Is that all? I thought I’d feel the earth move under my feet? I thought I’d be happier if I…did it…and I just…did it??

Proverbs 13:19 tells us:

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul…but the foolish thing that often happens is a forfeiting of that sweetness.

Why? Because the mind can’t let go of the ghostly fear that another shoe will drop, something’s gonna go wrong and steal the joy away.

Again, what really blocks us from tasting the fullness of blessing in those moments? It’s often our own thought life. Our mind can cast a shadow the shine of accomplishment and make us miss the nourishment meant for our soul–right in that very moment!

It might be stinking thinking — you know: thoughts dominated by past pain that rot inside your soul. Or shrinking thinking — you know: a mind stuck in fear, afraid to grow or stretch out to something new. Or sneaking thinking — you know: always looking for shortcuts, avoiding the hard work, chasing quick fixes that never satisfy.

When your mind gets tangled in these traps, you keep sabotaging the very dream your soul craves to savor.

Here’s the secret: Taste the dream before it’s served.

Instead of obsessing with every detail of your dream…wrestling with how the dream will ever happen, lean into this: what it feels like once it’s accomplished.

Feel the peace of the entire task finished (even before you began). Relish in the joy of execution (even before your execute). Imagine hearing the heavenly echo “Well done” in your heart (even before you start).

This isn’t wishful thinking — it’s actually spiritual training.

Root yourself in the Vine. Let your heart settle into the sweet taste of what’s to come.

And while the how unfolds in its own time, your soul learns to rest — to savor fulfillment, not just chase it.

This is What Fools Just Don’t Get

The fool in Proverbs isn’t just stubborn; it says it’s an abomination for them to turn from evil — like they can’t help themselves.

What’s so hard to release?

* That stinking thinking: Refusing to let go of old pain that poisons your present.

* That shrinking thinking: Allowing fear to shrink your vision and stunt your growth.

* That sneaking thinking: Trying to hack discipline, avoiding hard work, and chasing easy outs.

Holding tight to these is a slow surrender of what your heart truly longs for.

The Remedy: Renewed thinking breaks stinking thinking. Rigorous thinking breaks shrinking thinking. Righteous thinking breaks sneaking thinking.

Here’s the Point: “Your soul’s sweetest dreams need a mind willing to change.”

🙏🏽 Prayer

God, transform my thoughts; lead me to sweet fulfillment today.

💡 Today’s Challenge:

Sit quietly and imagine your dream fulfilled. Taste that feeling. When old doubts creep in, name them, then gently choose a fresh, hopeful thought.

About the Author

Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch

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Be Wise and Be Well...peace.

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