Determination, perseverance and dedication – these are some words to describe the traits necessary to achieve your dreams. It is not easy to hold onto one’s dreams as life’s struggles slowly remove them from your mind. One of the many gestures we learn about Satan is that he comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), and that includes his hopes and aspirations. Taking a step of faith to achieve one’s deepest desires is not easy to accomplish.
Now when I speak of dreams, I mean those that are in line with the Word and the will of God. We all have innately selfish and sinful dreams and desires that can grab our attention. And although those dreams and desires may be fulfilled, their fulfillment will not come from the Lord. Let’s think only about those dreams that we know are inspired by God.
In some cases, people may be led to go against the advice of family and friends to pursue an inexplicable passion. Ignoring the naysayers, as well as the circumstances, is the first and most difficult step to take to achieve a dream. Giving credit to negativity can deter and prevent one from taking a leap of faith. Yet God has provided us with encouraging promises in His Word, exalting believers never to give up. You may get tired during the persecution, but remember that Jesus is walking step by step with you. Even if you must do it without the support of those around you, fight your way through obstacles and keep pushing until your dreams come true. All things are possible with God (Mark 10:27). Such a guarantee should give one hope of achieving their aspirations and God-given purpose.
In his best-selling book, Never give up, Joyce Meyer challenges readers to confront their fears and overcome barriers when trying to achieve future achievements. Meyer uses birds to illustrate a humorous analogy between the different personality types that Christians possess. According to Meyer, some Christians tend to be “chickens”, making a lot of clucking noise but never taking off and doing anything with their lives. However, “eagle” Christians constantly soar to new heights, successfully reaching incomparable limits, without worrying about obstacles. Meyer explained that a similar formula can be seen in the lives of people who are victorious in achieving their dreams vs. those who talk a lot but are afraid and afraid to explore new paths.
Webster defines the word “fear” as an unpleasant feeling caused by the threat of danger, evil, or pain. This feeling alone has conquered countless dreams before they had a chance to become reality. What is it about fear that prevents people from fulfilling their dreams in literal action? Meyer explains some of the typical fears that people have trouble dealing with:
- Fear of what people think
- Fear of criticism
- Fear of not pleasing God
- Fear of making the wrong decision
- Fear of change
Additionally, she explains that many who refuse to take the leap of faith don’t want to live with disappointing thoughts of themselves failing, so they develop a strong fear of failure. If you are afraid, remember that the Lord will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13: 5). Focus on Him and know that He is holding your hand, guiding you through each and every step of the way.
When the apostle Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he asked Jesus to call him to join him and when Jesus did, Peter was able to step in faith and walk on water. However, the moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began to pay attention to the strong wind, Peter began to sink (Matthew 14:30). He cried out to the Lord for help and Jesus saved him. Our lives can be a direct reflection of Peter’s actions. When we go through countless storms, we must focus on Jesus and not on distractions. Ask the Lord to handle your distractions and He will.
Prayer and attitude play a crucial role in the realization of dreams. Prayerfully seek God’s will and maintain a pleasant attitude when expecting spiritual advancement in your goals. Be firm, watch your dreams, and come with an attitude of victory.
Our adversary, the devil, wonders if he seeks to abort all hopes and dreams. However, take heart: Hebrews 13: 6 says: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” These are powerful words, especially when you feel like you are facing the world alone and need something to hold on to as you press for victory.
To be successful in your endeavors, Meyer lists four necessary factors:
- Commitment (key attribute necessary to maintain power).
- Determination (allows one to pursue dreams that seem impossible).
- Wait patiently on the Lord (not passive action; aggressively waiting for God to do great things).
- Taking time to renew and renew yourself (spend time alone with the Lord; this allows you to never give up).
There is direct opposition from the enemy that you obtain your destiny. Don’t let Satan steal your future. Love not the praises of men more than God. (John 12:43). Hold on to hope no matter how bleak the reality you are facing. Stay focused on the Lord Jesus and He will direct your paths. For the times when you feel discouraged, memorize this wonderful scripture of the promise about the Lord’s plans for each and every one of us: ” “Because I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) “Never give up!