Are You Scared to Dream? {Daring to DREAM}
Do you have a dream?
Are you too scared to dream?
Do you want a fruitful life?
“I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly,” declared Jesus (John 10:10).
The life Jesus speaks of is spiritual, eternal, and present:
- It’s a never-ending life that is yours because of faith in His death for you. Romans 6:23
- It’s also a quality of life that reflects God’s reality as you abide in Jesus. John 15:5
- It’s a life that has purpose and direction under the hand of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
- It’s a life that is developed by cultivating spiritual sensitivity, discernment, and a commitment to saying “Yes” to God, who is at work in you. Philippians 2:13
- It’s a conviction about who your life belongs to: “You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Daring to DREAM requires allowing God to direct you!
BUT: Can those of us who are naturally scared and timid dare to DREAM?Does God have something WE can do for Him?Yes, He does! If God only used the naturally brave and bold, the firebrands and super-confident extroverts, many men and women who did great things would never have been called by God to act.Here are a few scaredy cats that God not only called, but also transformed step by step:
- He told scared and resistant Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt.
- He called scared and resistant Jeremiah to be His prophet.
- He gave young, immature Joseph great dreams—and those dreams anchored his heart when life went in the opposite direction—until, in God’s timing, it all happened.
Don't have a dream yet? Don’t sense a call or drawing in a particular direction? Don’t fret! When you’re ready, God will give you a desire, a thought, a concern, or a word from others. If it involves a challenge or a new area that produces insecurity and fear:
Pray about it. Seek God's direction. Refuse to say, "No!" 
You and I have the amazing privilege of living a God-directed, God-empowered, and God-fulfilled life—an abundant life that touches others.
Mark Twain said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the things you did do. So explore, discover and dream.”
Let’s Talk: How have you responded, or not, to God’s nudge?
Be sure to sign up for THRIVE, my monthly e-newsletter, for an introduction to the next letter in our Dare to DREAM acrostic: Review Your Life! Read an exciting story of how a young widow, devastated by her loss, dared to dream and is now heading a ministry to hundreds of other widows. Click here to sign up for THRIVE.
This post is part of my Daring to DREAM series. Click here to view all the posts in this series.
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Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.