Whether we are trying to name it, pursuing it with a passion, smack in the middle it, or wondering where it went, we all have dreams.  Along with words of wisdom I’ve absorbed along the way, I have also learned (the hard way) what not to do with your dreams. There are 4 ways that I’ve kept my dreams from blooming, and I’m sharing them with you, so you can fill in those potholes before you encounter them.

Pitfall #1: The game of life 

Life gets hectic and women are often at the center of the storm, holding down the pieces. I have let life’s busy-ness push and pull my time and energy until I’ve got nothing left. I have to remind myself that I run my calendar, and not the other way around. If you are over-stressed and can’t find time to pursue your dreams, let me offer you a way out. Stop. Take a moment to look at what is filling your days. If you don’t like what you see, make a change. Intentionality is the lifeline to get out of this particular pit; grab the rope and work your way to a better place.

Pitfall #2: Logic and unbelief

I recently met a young woman who had just finished college and thought her life was planned out. The plan: she was to pursue her graduate degree and start a career as a Physician’s Assistant. As she shared with me her more recent dream of becoming an author, her words nearly broke my heart. She said “I know it’s dumb, but I still want to do it.” This amazing young woman had the insight to know what her dream was, yet she was talking herself out of it. God doesn’t think our dreams are dumb, and His ways don’t always follow worldly logic. We can’t let logic or unbelief in God or ourselves get us off course. We can’t fall in the pit of telling ourselves that our dreams are impossible. 

Pitfall #3: Running without pausing

Every time I find myself stuck in a rut, feeling like I’m not making progress, this principle saves me. Can’t find the motivation? Perhaps we should reflect on a time when we did feel motivated. Feel like everyone besides us is living their dream?We might benefit from looking around at the fulfilled prophesies and blessings in our lives. Running into road blocks? Try being still with the Lord and really listening. Without pause, we run the risk of running out of gas, missing our turn, or falling asleep at the wheel. 

Pitfall #4: Staying silent

For a long time I had a dream that I kept to myself: being a writer. I stayed silent for many reasons which can all be summed up in one word: fear. Although this dream is still in the works, the day it changed was the day I spoke it out loud to a group of friends. God sometimes waits for us to speak our dreams to him and the world around us to make his move. And Satan hopes we keep our mouths shut. Don’t be afraid. Speak it, so it can be illuminated, and become what God put in your heart to be.

Be intentional, believe in your God-given dreams, pause with the Lord, and speak your dreams out loud. Avoid your dreams being broken down in the ditch when they should be cruising down the road.

“Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:3-4 (CSB)

Personal reflection:

1.     What stage of pursuing your dream are you in right now? 

2.     Can you relate to any of the pitfalls above? If so, how?

3.     What is one thing you can do today or this week to positively affect your dream, and avoid the common pitfalls?

Goal setting and sharing: List 3 goals that will help your pursue your dream: 

Gena Anderson

CREATED WOMAN JULY LINE UP: DREAMS

God has given each of us a God-sized dream!

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Podcasts

• June 9th, Eleanora Luke, Dreams never die Pt. 1

• June 25th, Marie Bellido, Dreams never die Pt. 2

Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday:

~ Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday
- Finding a table to raise your dreams
- Sugar, spice & everything nice
- Wake up mama
- Help! My dream has gone missing
- The pitfalls of dreaming
- While we wait for the dream
- What are your dreams made of?
- Are you living your dream or someone else's dream?