What should you do when your dreams and plans seem to be fading in the distance? It is a reality that we face as part of life’s journey. Whether it is your educational dream, your business idea, the vision for your church or your family, or the hope of conquering a bad habit, dreams and visions are often threatened.
Here are some reality checks you can take to make sure you stay on track.
- Confirm within yourself that the goals you are working towards, will be beneficial to yourself and/or your loved ones and/or the world on a larger scale.
- Examine your current relationships to see if any of them are toxic, creating a fog between you and your dreams. People can speak defeat and hopelessness into your life and this is not conducive to success. Associating with people who are themselves dreamless or vision-less can smother your appetite. Be careful that you are in their lives to inspire them to pursue their purpose and make sure their lack of focus does not rub off on you.
- Sometimes you may feel like you cannot go on. Understand that your feelings fluctuate; it is not best to base decisions on feelings only. No matter how you feel, pursue your dreams, your goals, your purpose.
- Identify the obstacles in your way and design a strategy to address them. For example: If you are seeking to become qualified in a certain field and it requires time off for studying, that your employer has refused to grant. It may require a job change, your vacation used as study time, or you may have to explore online courses or simply sacrifice some sleep. Something must be done. Maybe your dream is for your marriage to grow, to blossom and it may need you giving up a hobby that is taking too much of your time. This step requires honesty!
- Be certain that there are not persons placed in your life for a purpose, who are being looked down upon or ignored. God has unbelievable ways of providing support through people who we least expect to be there for us. Many times, we misjudge the motives of others, even when we have no justifiable reason(s) to do so.
- The reason you are not making progress may be “you”. You are your greatest enemy if you are telling yourself, you cannot do it, you are too ugly, too poor, your past is too messed up, or your family would never support you. Switch those thoughts with thoughts like; “I can do it.” “I am beautiful, unique, only me can be me”, “My failures are not excuses but rather lessons to make me better;” “My family may not support me, but God will place the right person(s) in my life, to give support where needed and He is my faithful support.”
- Your final check should be, if you have acknowledged that man is accountable to God, Almighty God, Creator of the universe, Creator of man. Have you admitted that you are spiritually lifeless without God? He came to give us life, not in a meager sense, but in abundance. Have you accepted the gift of Salvation? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.
We are made in God’s image, we are made to accomplish! Pursue Purpose!
