What’s Keeping You From Pursuing Your Dreams?

When we were kids, we had multiple dreams. Some far-fetched, some realistic. We were planning on being an astronaut, a rockstar,  or a teacher. Perhaps some of us may have wanted to be all three. (I personally wanted to be an angel, a ballerina, and an author. At least I pursued the last one!)

What happened to these dreams as we grew older? Since we had a big imagination when we were little, we believed that we could do anything when we "grew up". But once we actually did grow up, we started to realize just how unrealistic our dreams were. They might even seem a little silly when you look back.

Of course, some of the dreams we had when we were a little silly, and not exactly "God-given". Sometimes a kid might want to become a president, but once he becomes a teenager, he finds that he really doesn't care much for politics. (And as I got older, I started realizing that ballet was definitely not something I was interested in.)

But what if a certain dream of yours hasn't gone away? What if, over the years, the passion has remained—yet you still haven't pursued it?

Something I absolutely hate is when I see people not pursuing the thing they are most passionate about. The thing that gives them a certain rush of excitement just thinking about it. Instead, they throw their talent away. They throw away all of the good opportunities that they could've had in the future. But why?

What keeps people from pursuing their dreams?

• The dream seems impossible. They're focusing on the probability of succeeding.
• They’ve become impatient and have given up. They failed to persevere.
• They don't think they're good enough.
• They've allowed fear to hold them back.

I’m not saying that we should go after every desire we may have. It may not be a God-given gift of yours. However, if you believe that it really is the desire that God has placed on your heart, then it's probably there for a reason. Don't just ignore it and throw it away along with all your other childhood dreams. Give it to God. He will show you if it’s your calling, something you should pursue. If the desire just will not go away and you feel like it’s time to pursue it, then ask God to open the right doors in His timing.

Yes, it may seem impossible. But remember that nothing is impossible with God. No matter how unlikely something seems, God can always make a way. Especially if it includes the plans that he has for you. My mom always reminds me that someone has to do it. How did the president get to where he is now? By taking the first step. It all starts with a dream. Of course, there will be obstacles involved. Pursuing a dream never comes easy. But remember that you have to persevere  no matter what gets in the way. And definitely do not allow yourself to recoil due to fear. If your passion is big enough, and you feel as if it could be your calling, then nothing should hold you back. Not even fear. No amount of rejection or criticism should keep you from keeping on. If you want it bad enough, you'll do whatever it takes to get there. Yes, you may be afraid. But do it anyway.

 "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."
~John Wayne

Take action in pursuing your dream. Don't look at the fears, the obstacles, the probability of succeeding. Instead, focus on the goal ahead. It might take a while to reach the goal, but once you take your first step, you're already on your way and your journey has begun.

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear… any action is better than no action at all."
~Norman Vincent Peale

If it is God’s time, then don’t listen to those who might say you’re too young or too old to pursue your dream. Everyone starts somewhere, at some point. There is no age limit to the gifts that God has given us. Listen to what He's telling you, not them. And if you do, in fact, feel like now is the time to pursue this dream—then go for it! It is never too early or too late to pursue your gift.

Also, keep a positive attitude about the journey. Keep praying. Keep persevering, working and growing in your craft daily. Don’t procrastinate. Let go of the fear of rejection, fear of not making it, and the fear of not being good enough. I believe that the three ingredients to becoming successful in the gift God has given us is prayer, passion, and perseverance.  

"Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with the inner drive, go much farther than people with vastly superior talent."
~Sophia Loren

If you want to write books, you must start somewhere. If you want to be a singer, you must start somewhere. When it's time, God will open the right doors for you. But go ahead and do what you can now. If God has given you a gift, you're going against His Word and His Will by not using it. And if you're not pursuing your gift due to any of the above reasons, you're basically telling God that you don't believe He is All Powerful. Don't you know that if He has given you the desire, then you are good enough, and that He will bring it to fruition, no matter how impossible it seems? You have to believe in yourself and trust God to make a way.

"You must take action in order to become who you desire to be."
~John C. Maxwell

Your prayer, passion, and perseverance will eventually pay off. Focus on the size of your passion and the size of your God. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged because of yourself or anyone else. No one has ever been rewarded for quitting or never even beginning. Step out in faith, knowing that God will be with you through it all. And with Him, you can face the rejection. You can face the critics. Because God will be holding your hand all throughout the journey. No, it may not always be comfortable, and it certainly won't be easy. In fact, it'll be painful at times. But you must keep your eyes on God only. Ask Him to give you courage and the faith that you need in order to succeed.

 "What would you rather live with? The pain of risk or the pain of regret?"
~John C. Maxwell