Hows that for encouragement?

¹³ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:113 NLT

Pam and I recently visited Jessica and Jon (our daughter and son-in love) over the Thanksgiving holidays.  Somehow this also meant that I got to experience shopping on Black Friday.  Pam had diligently made her list from the specials in the store sales papers.  She was kind enough to make it an all-day experience, but NOT one that started early.  However, it did include the mall (parking lot traffic, yuck) and several anchor stores until she finally let me go home and she went back out to finish her list.  She felt very accomplished, which also made me happy.

We visited Lifeway Christian Bookstore for some of our purchases.  And then IT happened.  That ole sly devil found a way into our happy moments.  I was perusing the classics with Spurgeon and C.S Lewis, then looking over the abundance of Bible study material from people like Beth Moore and Henry Blackerby.  Then the Liar spoke, “And you think you want to be an author?  Look at how many people are already successful!  They have already written great material.  Do you really think that you can write something that will impact people for a long time?”  The damage had been done.  I could feel the discouragement begin to envelope my hope and dreams.

Our dreams are so subjective.  We are not sure where the ideas come from that push us forward into making decisions every day that affect our future.  Some dreams are specific to our jobs and vocations, some dreams involve creating something or making a new project, some dreams include participating in a new experience and some dreams involve interaction with people.  Ultimately the dream and the fulfillment of the dream are not what define us, at least as far as eternity goes.  Jesus very clearly says that our significance is the fact that we are in a relationship with him and that He knows us.

If you have experienced discouragement to quit on your dreams, I want to hopefully share some encouragement to keep pressing forward. First, transform your dream into a goal.  This means that you will take out a pen and paper and write out the dream or in my case…type it up on a computer.  The difference between a dream and a goal is “time specific”.  Write down a time table when you expect to see the dream accomplished.  Without a time, specific expected end…your dream most of the time remains a dream.  For me, I want to have a book published (not self-published) in 2018.  I have several book ideas started, but I want to see that dream realized, so I have put some time tables in place.

Let others know about your dream by sharing your ideas with them.  But don’t expect that they will be your voice of encouragement.  Most will add their own thoughts into reshaping your dream.  The reason you tell others is to keep yourself focused about your priorities regarding your dream.  Your life follows your words.  So, if I tell people that I am trying to finish a rough draft of a book by the end of February, then I also need I need to make time to work on the book so that it will be completed by then.  Telling others helps me stay focused on my goal and encourages me to stay at the task.  Seriously, listen to yourself speak about your dream.  Do you hear yourself saying, “I won’t ever finish the project?  This was probably not a good idea for me any way.  Or, I guess I over estimated my skills, I am just not good enough.” Speaking positively about our dream to another, can bring encouragement to ourselves.  Even Jesus told his disciples before hand that he was going to Jerusalem and the people would kill him and he would be raised in three days.  He spoke of what was to come.  Maybe, to keep himself focused…just a thought.

Although some people may discourage you about your dream, you will absolutely need people to fulfill your dream.  Learn how to draw together the best of everyone and you will produce a far better product.  Every church service is made up of a myriad of people accomplishing what they do best.  Parking attendants, greeters, handshakers, bulletin hander outers, ushers, choir members, musicians, those who clean up afterwards, and also the speakers, are all needed to accomplish the goal of a wonderful church experience.  The pastor may have his name on the church sign—but the body working together makes the church great.  The fulfillment of your dream must include others.  So, remember to thank each one during your trip to success.

Finally, address the discouragement head on.  Tell the devil.  “If my idea doesn’t matter, why are you taking the time do try to dissuade me?  Why would you not want to see me succeed?  You have never had my best interest at heart.  Only God, my father, loves me. He knows and cares all about me.  He knows the very number of hairs on my head – which seems to be changing daily.” Let your dialoge move from the disappointment to worship.  Discouragement from the devil never, I repeat, never hangs around long in the throne room of worship.  The things of this world grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.   So, turn your eyes, once again upon Jesus.  He is your source of love and encouragement in the darkest of moments.  For he has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  How’s that for some encouragement?