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How did the dreaming go last week? Was it what you were expecting? Hopefully you were able to dream up some big things for your life and get a glimpse of all the things God wants to do through you.
If you had a hard time dreaming big, here are some things to think about that may help get the ideas flowing:
- What are your God given gifts? Here is a Spiritual Gifts test that may help give some direction in this area.
- What do you love? What are you passionate about?
- What dreams did you have for your life that you set aside because you didn’t think they were possible?
- Did you miss my first post on mourning the dreams that are unfulfilled? You can read it here.
Hopefully that helps!
Now that we have let go of unfulfilled dreams and have new dreams rolling around in our hearts, let’s talk about being brave with them.
“Brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers but take action anyway.”
I can’t tell you the number of times fear has kept me from doing what I love. One of the things I started doing is reading 100 Days to Brave. I could easily write several posts just about all the ways this book has challenged me. Seriously, y’all should check it out. The first 40 days have been life-changing so far. I’ve been brave in ways I never thought I could. I’ve allowed God to breathe life to dreams that I had forgotten about and give me the courage to begin pursuing them. This book has helped me push past my fears and bravely be myself in all situations.
There is so much power in believing in your ability to be brave and chase after your dreams. A question that has been tumbling around in my mind lately is, “If fear was not a factor, what would I do with the dreams I have for my life?” With that mindset, God impressed on my heart this piece of scripture:
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV).
One of the things I took away from this scripture is being content in all circumstances. Not everything I do in life will feel like it is helping me work towards my dreams. Some seasons may seem so far off from my dreams it makes it hard to believe they are even possible. But, whether I am in a season of plenty or of little, when I make myself available to be used by God, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. I don’t have to be limited by fear because God will give me the courage I need to pursue my dreams.
So, take a look at your dreams. Where do you need to be brave in order to work towards them? Is it just telling someone your dream? Quitting your job and applying for a new one? Making an appointment with a financial advisor? Pressing play on that first workout? Whatever that first step is, take it. Don’t say, “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I’ll start in the new year”. Take that step TODAY. Be brave and step out in faith, knowing that God is with you. The photo featured above is of me in front of my church’s dream wall. All those cards you see are dreams of people in our church who took the step of acknowledging the dreams they have in their hearts.
What is holding you back from believing in your dreams? Is it the fear of the unknown? The belief that those dreams are just too big? Do you believe that someone else would be better off fulfilling those dreams? Your dreams are not a mistake. God has created you unique and given you your own gifts and abilities. He has incredible dreams for you. Will you trust Him to prepare you for all the big and small things He has for your life?
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” – Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Check out the final post in this dream series:
