Do you have a dream that has created a burning desire in your heart and which will not let you rest? Do you feel that God-given inspiration in your heart and mind to work towards a specific goal and outcome? Well, if you have, you are certainly not alone.
Some of us have dreams and thoughts about things that we would like to do or have in life. Many of us reflect on them constantly, imagining and wishing they could become reality but, more often than not, only allowing ourselves to daydream about them and then formulate reasons or excuses as to why they cannot be done “now” but “someday” in the future.
Some people, on the other hand, have allowed others to poison their minds and kill their dreams by their negative, jealous and envious minds. We all have encountered dream killers. It is crucial that we identify dreamkillers in our environments. Pinpoint those who trivialise your dreams and tear down your self-esteem. Detect and stay away from those in whose presence your passion to pursue your dream diminishes. Disconnect from those in whose environment your fear grows, your doubts flourish and your confidence shrinks. Then pursue those who inspire you and whose counsel unleash faith, hope and confidence in you.
Never allow anyone to rob you out of fulfilling your dreams. Be the architect of your own destiny. Follow your own path and not live your life based on a template of others. You have a choice everyday to chart your course. Be sensitive to the promptings of your heart. You know deep inside what the voice of your dream calls for. Don’t be afraid, just do it. Listen to God’s calling, follow His directions and believe beyond doubt that He has great purpose for your life. Your dream will guide you in fulfilling that purpose. Beware of the people who are designed to kill your dreams and rob you of your purpose.
There seems to be two types of dream killers that you need to watch out for: the accidental dream killers and the deliberate dream killers. The accidental dream killers are those that usually care about you, but will unknowingly discourage you from chasing your dreams; and the deliberate dream killers are basically those who are unhappy in their own unsuccessful lives, and really don’t want to see you progress. So take note of them and do not allow them to hinder you. People who can’t or don’t want to see your dreams fulfilled always have that tendency or desire to kill your dreams. They may tell you that it is impossible for you, that you are not smart enough or that it has never been done before. However, many times the biggest dream killer is you.
Don’t let fear, intimidation, doubt, lack of finances, etc., dictate to you that you can’t fulfill your dreams. It is okay to talk back to these killers. Tell them, “I can and will fulfill my destiny, my dream.” You may have to do this everyday, but that’s ok. The more you instill within your heart that you can do it, your dream will be held safe within you. However, be aware that the road to success is often filled with much challenges and obstacles. They are known as the bumps in the road. They are designed to destroy the dreams and plans God has for your life, but don’t let them.
God is the giver of dreams. Through the study of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, God will often take a thought and, like a seed, plant it into the depths of who we are. He will water and nurture that dream. And, from that moment, we will passionately labour to bring that which we do not see into existence. So, whatever dream God has given you, don’t let it die. Face the challenges, climb over them or step over them.
As you face every challenge and obstacle, meditate on the words of the song by Yolanda Adams: “Keep the dream alive, don’t let it die, it’s something deep inside, keeps inspiring me to try, don’t stop and never give up, don’t ever give up on you. Sometimes, life can place a stumbling block in your way, but you’ve got to keep the faith”. These words will provide you with the impetus to go on.
Also, whenever you are tempted to give up, remember the life of Joseph. It is a fascinating and inspiring story. God had given Joseph several literal dreams and Joseph didn’t know exactly what they meant, but he knew they meant something. He believed they were from God, but his dreams collided with reality. He was rebuked and hated by his brothers. They felt threatened by his dreams. He became known as the dreamer, but this nickname was more a form of ridicule rather than an expression of support for his dreams. Through their hatred, they sought to kill his dreams. They sold him into slavery.
For many years the fulfillment of Joseph,s dream began to become more and more like a distant dream. Then one day God suddenly brought the dream into being. That which was unseen became seen. And that which God had conceived in Joseph was finally born. And He did this so that Joseph would realize that God was sovereign and in control. He did this so that Joseph would realize that it is not by the arm of the flesh, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that things come into being. He did this so that it might be realized that God is both the author and finisher of faith. He did this so that Joseph might realize that God never gives up on what He is doing in our lives, even when all hope has been lost to us.
Things happened to Joseph that would have caused many to despair and give up on their God-given dream. From a human perspective it seemed unlikely, if not impossible, for Joseph to ever advance from slave to ruler, especially in a foreign land. And then Joseph was falsely accused of seeking to be with his master’s wife and thrown in prison. However, Joseph depended on God’s presence, remained dedicated to his calling, and was determined to be faithful! As a result, Joseph was able to defeat the dream killers of devastation, discouragement, despair, despondence, doubt, anger and temptation. Joseph was dedicated to do the best job he could do no matter what situation he found himself in. He did what he could do and put the rest in God’s hands. There are some practical lessons that we can learn from the life of Joseph and his experience in fulfilling his dreams and God’s purpose in his life:
(1) When God gives you a dream embrace it. Sometimes your dreams will appear bigger than you. It may seem implausible and even impossible. However, if God has placed this dream in your heart He is more than able to accomplish it. Embrace your dream. Leave the fulfilment to God.
(2) Be careful with whom you share your dreams. There are dream killers everywhere. The moment you begin to express your dream, the doubters will begin to shout it down. Don’t give them that opportunity. Select trusted, mature and positive persons who will support you, encourage you and pray with you.
(3) Don’t let the dream killers kill your dream.Regardless of how hard you try, someone will try to kill your dream. They will set up road blocks, obstacles, frustrations, emotional isolation – all in an attempt to wear you down and get you to give up on your dreams. But regardless of the situation, and the setbacks, remember that you serve a miracle-working God. He will open doors that no one else can open. He will fly the traps of the enemy and, in the end, He will bring you out.
(4) Don’t be afraid to step into your dream. Joseph was not afraid. He was being taken from prison to manage the affairs of all of Egypt but he stepped up without a fear. He had good preparation. The many things he went through prepared him. He was first put in charge as manager in Potiphar’s house. He excelled! He was then put in charge of the prison. He excelled! The transition to the palace was therefore not difficult for Joseph – he was used to being in charge. Let us not despise small opportunities for they may be providing the vital experience for our big day as well.
(5) When your dream is fulfilled forgive the dream killers. Many of us have a natural tendency to exact revenge when we come into positions of authority, but the nobler thing to do is to forgive. Joseph forgave his brothers, looked after them and preserved his family so that they eventually became a mighty nation. We do not always understand how God works, but sometimes the things others do to us for evil, God allows them for our good. It is all a part of God’s plan and the path to our purpose. Every experience is vital. Remember God is in control. If we put our hands in His hands he will lead us safely to His purpose!!
When faced with dream killers, it is natural to experience a multiplicity of feelings as they try their best to assassinate your dream, but trust God in all things. Keep a good and positive attitude. The way you deal with all the various emotions will determine whether or not they become dream killers or dream builders. So here are some steps to help you overcome those dream killers:
1) Prayer. Pray, pray and don’t stop praying. This is perhaps the most important and most vital step you can take to avoid those who would seek to discourage or dissuade you. Never forget it is the aim of the enemy to thwart your thinking and distort your vision. Philippians 4:6 – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
2) Believe in yourself. This is not to be confused with cockiness – just the belief that you deserve to be happy. The belief that you are worthy of success, and that you deserve to accomplish great things IF you put in the work. Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
3) Build a strong support system. Everyone is not going to support you. So make it a priority to surround yourself with the right kind of people. The kind of people who believe in you and will be honest with you. Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
4) Be prepared to work hard. Nothing in this world worth having comes easy. Don’t expect to achieve anything worthwhile if you are afraid of hard work. Proverbs 12:24 – Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
5) Be tenacious. You will fail at certain things – accept that. However, knowing how to pick yourself up, figure out where you went wrong, re-group and try again is an amazing skill to possess. 1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
6)Take time to reflect. Take time out to think about and celebrate what you have achieved in your life, and likewise think about where you may have gone wrong or what you could have done better, and make adjustments where necessary.
7) Celebrate with others. Think of others as well. Encourage them along their journey. Let their journey inspire you to be more disciplined in your own. Romans 12:15 – Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
My friends, some of you have dreams in your heart. Your dream may seem impossible, improbable, or even inevitable, but it is not impossible. God is in total control of your life. No one else. With Him, all things are possible. People can try all they want to hinder it, but if the dream is from God no one can stop it. It will come to pass. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. They killed the dreamer but they could not kill the dream. Right now all hope may seem to be lost, and the dream almost forgotten. But don’t give up and don’t despair. Don’t lose the vision God gave you. As Hebrews says, it is by patience that we inherit the promises of God. So be patient. God is still at work. And if what you have in your heart has been born of Him, be sure that God will bring what He spoke into fruition. You will see that dream fulfilled, for our God is the giver and fulfiller of dreams.
The spiritual understanding of this is that, when there is a dream there is always a dream killer. There is always an attempt to destroy dreams. Dreams always face storms, but because they are from God they must come through. So, don’t be surprised that there is a struggle in fulfilling dreams. Gen 25:21-27, Isaiah 66:6-10.
Remember: Opportunity is usually accompanied by opposition, and Strength is accomplished through struggles~PMJ.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in The Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com.
