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5 Questions to Ask Before Giving Up on Your Dreams

By Bonnie Gray • October 2, 2014 • 14 Comments

 even when the hills are scorched by summer heat,
beauty finds a way to bloom.

{a quiet find on a morning hike}

I was buckling myself in for a four-hour layover flight from Dallas to Nashville, when I noticed the thirty-something guy sitting next to me.  Actually, it’s more accurate to say I was noticing his stylish, brown leather computer bag he was stuffing under the seat in front of him.

“Cool bag…” I commented. “Where did you get it?”

Somewhere between him telling me the source of his shopping find and me telling him I was on my way to speak at a spiritual retreat for the military and their spouses, a more important question entered into our conversation.

“So, how do you know if the dream you have is the dream God wants for you too?” It turns out my fellow passenger was a Christian too.

When I told him I published a book recently exploring this idea — thinking it was too late for my dreams to come true — he told me about his own dreams. “But, it seems selfish to go and pursue your dreams when there are so many more important needs out in the world,” he said.

My fellow sojourner of faith was asking questions we all struggle with.

I call it The Dream Dilemma: how do we know if the dreams we want to pursue are the ones God wants us to invest in too?

We all have dreams we once longed to explore.  Maybe we’ve never even given ourselves permission to consider what our God-given dreams are.

If that’s true for you, here are 5 questions I asked my new friend. They may also help you break out of the dream dilemma and pursue your own God-given dreams:

1. Is God prompting you to re-engage with your dream? The first dream may have to die in order for you to discover a new version of your dream. Different audience. Different slant. Different place.

Before the dream God gave Joseph as a child could come true (Genesis 37), his dreams of a happy childhood had to first die. Joseph’s dream also came true under the most unlikely place of pain and betrayal. Don’t look at numbers or past failure. Be aware of opportunities to re-engage in your dream, even if it doesn’t look like it could lead to anything. Follow God’s prompting.

2. Do you need to try something radically different? Sometimes we stick with what’s safe and known, but God may want you to exercise your faith instead choosing certainty.

It’s too late, you tell yourself. You’ve moved on. But Jesus sees the empty nets you’ve left.

Jesus says, “Cast the net on the [other] side of the boat and you will find a catch” (John 21:6).

Bring your heart back to life by responding to God’s invitation to walk by faith rather than hiding your heart behind what’ safe and known.

What are the empty nets Jesus may be calling you to pick up again? Try something radically different. It’s not too late.

3. Is it time to make new friends to explore your God-given dreams? Sharing your dreams with the wrong people can kill your spirit…

To be continued….

Catch the rest of Question #3… on why it’s important to make new friends… along with last two important questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering about your God-given dreams.

… Today’s post is published on iBelieve.com. Click here to read the rest of the article 5 Questions to Ask Before Giving Up on Your Dreams on iBelieve.com.  Head on over and take a virtual coffee break with me there.

 

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This seems to be a hot-topic — what to do when you sense a God-given dream brewing, but you feel stuck.  I was invited to write this article for iBelieve — right after I was invited to do a radio interview on this same topic.  Is this a hot topic for you too?  

Are you facing any dilemmas about your God-given dreams? 

Pull up a chair.  Click to comment.  Share any thoughts, questions or comments.  

Or write a blog post in the coming week. Share what’s encouraging you and link up.  If it helps, you can use {dreams} or {questions I’m asking myself} as your writing prompt.

Now It’s Your Turn

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Blog about your whitespace moments. 

Publish your post ANY DAY of the week.  

Link up on Thursday.
Visit & comment on the post before yours.

Use the Whitespace Thursday Linkup Badge.

Write what prompts your heart. Share your voice.

 

Today’s Writing Prompt:

dreams
questions i’m asking myself

0r
share a whitespace moment 

– moments of beauty and rest
– feeding your soul
– your alone time with God

* Choose your own open writing prompt.  Be you.

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It’s fun to see the moments that feed your soul this week!

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“Whitespace is soul grace. Bonnie Gray ushers weary women into the real possibility.”–Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts

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14 Comments

  • Reply Mary October 2, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    The hardest part for me is saying no to all the other voices–voices that seem to be the ‘right’ thing to do, like taking care of my grandkids, my aging mother, my alcoholic sick sister. I do find though when I sit with God with all of it, the ability to say no in the right places comes.

  • Reply Debbie October 2, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    I’ve had dreams inside of me for so long and was so afraid of failure or what others would think. But I love how the Lord has been opening my heart and preparing me. Slowly, I am seeing opportunities when I would normally tend to stay in my comfort zone. I have to remember that there is no retirement in Kingdom work and so it doesn’t matter how old I am, I can still be useful.

    Blessings and love to you Bonnie,
    Debbie

    PS. And next time I get to Carmel or SF, I will let you know so we can meet up for a cup of coffee and lots of talk. 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 6, 2014 at 4:19 pm

      debbie, we’ve known each other for 5 years now. as your online kindred, i want to really encourage you to just write – and don’t think or evaluate how it will be used or whether it’s any good. i would’ve never written my book if i hadn’t just written it for you guys, people I know! write it for faith friends like me. we will love whatever you write because it’ll be YOUR story. write YOUR story, Debbie!

  • Reply sue donaldson October 2, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    I’m thinking i’m either listening to too many voices/people or it’s too late or I just don’t have the time to pursue my dreams. I will think and pray on this and your good input. Thank you, bonnie.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 6, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      sue, no more thinking… time to step out with God as he prompts you… 🙂

    • Reply sue donaldson October 6, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      really?no more thinking? them’s great words to a feeler. thanks for this.

  • Reply Linda Arandas October 3, 2014 at 8:44 am

    Hi Bonnie,
    I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on this topic. I put my dreams on hold for many years as I worked to put my children through college. I hope and pray that it’s not too late to follow my dreams, using my God-given talents and creativity. Your book has been a gentle reminder to me on the importance of “spiritual whitespace” as I move forward on my creative journey.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 6, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      it is DEFINITELY not too late! Julia Child didn’t start her first cooking lesson until she was 40! 🙂

  • Reply Heather Dawkins October 6, 2014 at 7:06 am

    I so needed this today. A question I have been pondering for a few months. Thank you once again for sharing your heart and your wisdom Bonnie.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 6, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      that dream is still alive in you. and i’m so happy you heard your heart speaking to you, Heather. love being the journey together.

  • Reply Shannon @ Distracted by Prayer October 8, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    I think the hardest part of this is to give myself permission to try and fail. And to convince myself that failures are part of the success and the outcome. Somehow the word “dream” conjures ethereal perfection to me, and I sense that’s not in the cards for me. Maybe I should substitute another word- any ideas?

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 9, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      i know what you mean, shannon. sometimes that word “dream” brings too many painful struggles/conflicting feelings and can be distracting. my word is “spiritual whitespace” – a place where it’s just you and Jesus – something you share together. a prompting. i think you would enjoy my book “Finding Spiritual Whitespace” – it shares how God brought that desire out for me, even in the midst of anxiety…. 😉 so touched you can be here.

  • Reply Shannon @ Distracted by Prayer October 14, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    Can’t wait to check it out and recommend it to my readers!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 17, 2014 at 10:54 am

      Thanks, Shannon! love how you’re bringing families closer with your words and heart.

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