The principle of death before life teaches that our visions and dreams must undergo a surrender process before bearing fruit. True God-given visions are impossible to accomplish in our own strength and unfold in three stages: birth, death, and fulfillment. During the death stage, everything seems to fall apart as God develops our character through waiting, hardship, and pressure. This challenging middle period reveals what we truly value and prepares us for the eventual fulfillment of God's greater purpose, which often looks different than we initially imagined.