Friday Fight 121: The Dismantled Dream
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF121.
How often has God placed a dream on our hearts that made no sense? Too often! Some goals are exciting, and we can't wait to achieve them, while others are smaller but align with our prayers. God is all-powerful and knowing, so what about the dreams that never come to fruition? Let's look at how those dreams can dissipate without us realizing it.
The Dismantled Dream:
We can all reflect on dreams God has spoken into our lives that never unfolded, but why? Perhaps we are all thinking the same thing, "Was that really God, or merely my own thoughts?" The best way to squash doubt is through prayer. When God reveals a plan for our lives, it will always follow our faithfulness, and He will align this plan with people who will confirm it.
Dreams from God can be anything because nothing is impossible through Him. It could be a new career, healing a relationship, moving, or remaining still. God's plans are limitless and usually surpass our understanding, so we should always practice the posture of surrender. When God uses us to fulfill His plan, it is essential to remember that the goal is not actually about us but about Him. When we surrender to God's plan, He reveals Himself through us to those who know Him and those who don't.
Let's look at how we dismantle dreams placed on our hearts by God:
1. We diminish - God's plan is received with excitement through a dream or answer to prayer. Still, it becomes less and less important over time. Eventually, the vision fades, and nothing ever happens. Procrastination is also a contributing factor.
2. We dismiss - the smile at this dream from God, but somehow it is not important enough for us to alter our finances or schedules. It could also seem so insignificant that we view it as unworthy of our time. Big or small, anything from God is always worthwhile!
3. We doubt - This one is tricky. We know the plan is of God, and it resonates with us spiritually, but there is one part of the plan we cannot quite understand. Doubt is doubt, regardless of the size. We misunderstood some portion of it because we were not qualified. But God always equips those He calls.
4. We decline - We refuse to be part of a dream when we make it all about us. We try to rationalize something only God understands, what tomorrow will bring. Our limited view leaves us feeling crazy. It only seems ridiculous when we make ourselves the focus. God is using us so His Son can receive the focus through our surrender.
There are things we can reflect on that will help prevent God's dreams from being dismantled:
1. Remember that when God reveals a plan to us, it will not make much sense to those around us. God uses this so that when the dream unfolds, it becomes evident that it is all Him, and He receives the glory.
2. Dreams that appear unimportant to us could have a generational purpose.
3. Surrendering to God is something we should practice, preventing dreams from being dismantled.
4. When we faithfully surrender to God with smaller things, He will keep increasing to bigger things in our lives.
Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." This chapter calls Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites across the Jordan into Jericho. God promises He will go before them and destroy the nations for the Israelites to take possession of the land. Imagine if Joshua had diminished, dismissed, doubted, or declined this call on his life.
God reveals His plans to our hearts so those around us can experience the love and mercy of Christ. God speaks incredible plans over our lives that can impact future generations, bring healing, plant seeds in non-believers, and ultimately bring glory to Him. He desires a relationship with all of us and uses these plans to create opportunities to experience His love. Let's pray about God's plans for our lives revealed through dreams and sing His praises as we experience them unfolding.
I’d like to give a special thank you to Pastor Robert Hilson for the incredible sermon that helped prompt this week's post.
Pastor Shannon
New Life Calvert