God gives you a dream...an idea, goal, or ambition. It's bigger than you and greater than you can accomplish alone...it's a Good-sized dream. All great accomplishments begin with a dream.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20)
Stage #2: Decision Stage
The difference between dreamers and doers is "decision." This is where you determine to invest your time, money, energy, and reputation in your dream. You can't be "double-minded" about it. You must be willing to step out and sever your ties of security to follow the dream.
"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)
Stage #3: Delay Stage
Delays are not denials. There is a difference between God saying, "no" and "not yet." This is the period when God is teaching you to trust Him, even when you can't see the outcome.
"For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry." (Habakkuk 2:3)
Stage #4: Difficulty Stage
The two most common problems during this stage are the CRITICS and the CIRCUMSTANCES. You can't expect everyone to agree or understand your dream. This is YOUR dream from God, but you can be sure your critics will want to share in the fruits of your dream once it has been realized.
Noah and Nehemiah had plenty of nay-sayers and their circumstances seemed impossible, but they pressed on (believing God) to see their dream realized.
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ..." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Stage #5: Dead-End Stage
As hard as it is to imagine, your situation may get worse before your dream is realized. It may well seem impossible to accomplish, but this places you on the verge of a miracle. God gave you the dream and He wants the glory for its accomplishment.
"For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead..." (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)
Stage #6: Deliverance Stage
Crucifixion becomes resurrection and death becomes life. Miraculously everything falls into place and God is glorified as your dream is realized.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)
If God has given you a dream then never give up and never give in to apathy, indifference, and/or despondency. Keep pressing forward to see how God will transform your dream into reality. Then be sure to give Him the glory because it all rightfully belongs to Him!!
