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What does it look like when we’re pursuing dreams, and they don’t come true?
Since my teen years, I’ve wanted to become a published author. This you know if you’ve read my blog for any length of time. Dreams implant themselves in our hearts when we’re young. Sometimes others in our lives affirm them. And, sometimes we clutch them close inside, not sharing with anyone, for fear of the great “What If.”
What if we do everything we can to make them come true and they still remain simply a dream?
Is there a possibility we were off-base when we began pursuing the dream?
What if we are seeking our kingdom, our glory, over God’s?
Dreams have a way of forcing us to evaluate our intentions and our motivations. This can be a good thing, when we lay them before our Father. In the years since I began this journey, God’s refined much in me as I’ve learned craft, started a blog, and written stories from my heart.
3 Things I’ve Learned About Pursuing Dreams:
Though pursuing dreams provides many lessons, here are three thought lessons I’m learning.
Pursuing dreams requires work and a whole lotta brave.
Many people say they want a certain dream, but they don’t work toward achieving it. Though there are many reasons for this, I suspect fear is at the root of most of them. When God gives a dream, we need to seek Him for His vision. We must learn the necessary skills to accomplish the dream. And we must put ourselves out there. This is where the “brave” comes in.
Dreams encourage humility.
God uses dreams to conform us to the image of His Son. I began my writing journey certain I could achieve it with hard work and a willing heart. I entered contests, submitted my books to agents . . . and none of them have been accepted yet. When I received positive feedback, I admit sometimes, it went to my head.
God has used my dream to nurture humility. He’s also helped me to understand that, just because my stories have been rejected, doesn’t mean that I’m less-than, not good enough, or dumb for even trying. These years have helped me better understand my identity in Him. I am God’s daughter, His girl. And when I grasped that truth, it helped me to live with more confidence and peace.
Dreams reveal our inner motives.
When I first began to write, I thought I’d find my value when my name was imprinted across the top of a book cover. What God revealed is that my dream of being a published author was originally based in trying to gain glory for me.
3 Thoughts For How To Think When Pursuing Dreams—God has a way of reshaping our vision of our dreams into His vision for the dream. #dreams #trustgod #tellhisstory Click To TweetI know. That sounds terrible. But, God has a way of reshaping our vision of our dreams into His vision for the dream. Often, this requires that we die to ourselves before He can bring about His greater purpose in our lives and in the dream being fulfilled. When we yield our hearts to Him, God can work mightily in and through us. When we cling to our vision for the dream, we hinder God’s greater purpose.
Laying our dreams before our Father
Pursuing dreams isn’t easy. It’s sometimes painful, scary, and discouraging. Allen Arnold, a well-known speaker and author, shares the image of a girl dancing with her Father, her feet on top of His, moving with Him and being led by Him.
3 Thoughts For How To Think When Pursuing Dreams—Pursuing dreams requires work and a whole lotta brave. Many people say they want a certain dream, but they don’t work toward achieving it. #dreams #tellhisstory Click To Tweet
When we “dance with our Father,” we’re in the perfect place for working toward our dreams. We hold our vision of our dream toward Him with open hands. When we invite Him into the process, then we can walk out the journey with His peace.
I’ve yet to meet someone whose dream came true exactly as they originally imagined it. Many of us have had to watch the dream we envisioned die so God could resurrect His perfect vision for it and for us. When our dreams don’t come true, we need to get honest with our Father and listen to Him. An open heart and yielded spirit enables us to walk through the disappointment.
When we yield our vision—our hearts—to Him, He can accomplish great things through our efforts and our lives. And isn’t that what we most want anyway?
What about you? Are you brave enough to share one of your dreams here? What’s one lesson you’ve learned as you have worked toward achieving a dream?
***Please forgive the upheaval with the Tell His Story linkup over the past month. I’ve been beyond grateful Lisa Jordan stepped in to keep things running while I took care of family matters. This month, I’m hosting the linkup this week and next week. Lisa will take her normal fourth Tuesday of the month to get us back on track. I so appreciate your patience and sticking with us during this crazy summer!
Most weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
I gave my dream to God about 25 years ago. He’s reshaped it, shepherded me as I lived without it – and then one day He gave it back to me in ways unimaginable. I keep to my mission statement He put on my heart – which is to show my boys how to grow old loving the Lord. Your words so resonate and reflect my journey. It is so exciting the plans God has for us! I’m not putting God in a box – or setting expectations. I’m working on letting Him take care of the expectations. No – our dreams aren’t unfilled. We haven’t failed. We’re on a God-trail with a Holy Guide who Surprises, Comforts and Plans!
Maryleigh, I’ve found that sometimes, our vision of our dream has to die so that God’s complete vision for that dream can be brought to life. Your words resonate with me. We do best when we relinquish any expectations to God. And I loved what you said here: “No – our dreams aren’t unfilled. We haven’t failed. We’re on a God-trail with a Holy Guide who Surprises, Comforts and Plans!”
Yes and amen!!
Jeanne, pursuring dreams does take bravery and humility. Several years ago, it occured to me that I dream best with God. Me and Him dream best “together.”
I love that, Karen. I dream best with God too. I love walking each step with Him.
Oh my, Jeanne … thank you so much for this. What a blessing it is to be on this writing journey with friends like you. ❤️
Agreed, Lois. I’m so thankful for the friends God’s placed on my journey so we can walk together…including you!
Jeanne I love the way you are so vulnerable to share your struggles. You turn to God for answers, comfort, encouragement, teacher, mentor, and truth teller. Consequently you help the rest of us gain new perspectives.
Thank you!
Thanks, mama. God is the best One to turn to for all the things we need, isn’t He? I appreciate your words of encouragement!
This is very timely for me as many of my writing dreams are still just that. Thank you.
You and me both, Lauren. Saying a prayer for you today!
Yes, I too had a dream that didn’t eventuate.I shared it in my post,
Have Mercy!
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2018/11/29/what-does-mercy-mean/#more-4902
I can really relate to your following words Jeanne;
“But, God has a way of reshaping our vision of our dreams into His vision for the dream. Often, this requires that we die to ourselves before He can bring about His greater purpose in our lives and in the dream being fulfilled. When we yield our hearts to Him, God can work mightily in and through us. When we cling to our vision for the dream, we hinder God’s greater purpose.”
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
I think we all fall prey for accolades and recognition from the world rather than from God. It’s a worldly tension we feel everyday! The more I get to know God, His way is less about the struggle to get to our dreams, and more about the resting in Him while we pursue His plans for us. I let go of the yoke many, many times for long period of times though! I’d say I may just be in one of those right now, and appreciate you sharing how you are navigating through your pursuit of your dream, Jeanne! It always brings me to back to God.
Lynn, yes! God is more about us resting in Him, and He’s more about our hearts than He is about us achieving our dreams. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught myself striving rather than resting in the Lord.Thanks for sharing your insights, my friend!
Jeanne I so appreciate your sharing about your dream journey here. And that’s how I view it: a journey. I believe God uses our dreams as part of the refining process. We are yet imperfect beings with imperfect dreams. As He works in our lives to make us more like Him, our dreams become more Christlike too. I couldn’t agree more, my dream of becoming a writer looks much different than when I started and I suspect will look different yet if and when it is fully realized in God’s perfect timing and refinement. Because ultimately it’s about His glory and kingdom and not mine.
Donna, this is most definitely a journey, isn’t it? I believe you’re right. God uses our journey to refine our character. Yes, I believe as we become more like Jesus, this also filters into our dreams, going after them, and being open to the Lord’s hand shaping them. I love your thoughts here, Donna!
My dream has been to be a published author, as well. It’s funny you would post this today. My heart is a little tender, a little sore, wondering if I’d wasted the past 3 years of effort. I finished my book; yet I’m at a loss in what to do next. Thank you for sharing.
Jerralea, I’ve grappled with those same questions. I’m saying prayers for you today as you talk about this with God and determine your next steps. Thank you for sharing a piece of your journey here!
I’ve long had the dream to get published (a book—I’ve had articles published in magazines) traditionally. Your post has made me realize I often blindly pursue my dreams without inviting God in. I confess I feel jealous twinges when other people who started blogging around the same time I did have gotten book deals. But that’s probably a sign I’m still struggling with my glory and not God’s.
Anita, if it makes you feel better, I’ve struggled with jealous twinges at times, as well. I’m sure you’ve learned the same lessons that I have that God’s timing is perfect, but rarely is it our timing. And each writer’s journey is unique, tailor-designed to draw us closer to Jesus. I, too, have had to evaluate if I’m doing something for my glory or for God’s. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably here!
When pursuing my dreams, I put Him first. God guides me to the plans He has for my goals. 🙂
Mimi, putting God first is an essential choice, isn’t it?
Much of this is appropriate for me as one of my dreams has been to become a published author as well. Part of my process has been learning what I don’t know–in the process of attending conferences, reading, and submitting excerpts for critiques, I’m learning the craft and the industry (and feeling overwhelmed sometimes!) The other issue for me is time to work on writing with so much else seeming to take priority. But I have wrestled with many of the things you mention here.
I’ve often wondered why God told Abraham that He was going to bring Isaac into his life so long before it happened. It must have seemed so tortuous sometimes to wait, expecting the promise all along yet not receiving it yet. God could have given Abraham some idea that it would be a long time in coming. But I think it was as you say here–God wanted to grow his faith and refine his heart in the process.
May God continue to work in our hearts and we work and wait for the dreams He has given us.
Ahhh, Barbara, this is such a journey we’re on, isn’t it? There is much to learn when it comes to writing, and there’s a lotta waiting involved in the process. I’ve struggled with the time factor, as well. I guess that’s the advantage of not being under a deadline yet. We have to choose to carve out time to write, don’t we? I really appreciate the things you shared about Abraham. I believe that whenever God gives us a dream or a calling, He has things He wants to refine in our characters all along the journey. Thank goodness we’re not alone, right? Thank you so much for sharing your heart and some of what you’re learning on this journey. Your words encouraged my heart.
Hold to the dreams within your heart
even when you feel you’re cursed;
just keep the faith and do your part,
and know God has dreamed them first.
He’s trusted you with precious things
that reflect bright Heaven’s glory,
and if best effort failure brings
that doesn’t end the story,
for He has saved your every tear;
do you think He’s not saved hope
and all the things you hold so dear?
If your dreams fail, friend, don’t mope,
but say goodbye to them with love,
for they wait in Heaven’s care, above.
When our dreams are aligned with God’s plan we will definitely succeed!
Amen, Barbara!
Ahhh, Andrew, this poem spoke straight to the depths of my heart. Your perspective is refreshing and filled with hopeful truths. Thank you, my friend. I’m praying for you.
You are quite the poet Andrew! Thanks for sharing!