Dream: Facing Inevitable Obstacles

 Any time you want to make a change in your life, be prepared for obstacles of all kinds.

 Below are five that come from outside of yourself. Next week watch for six internal obstacles that can trip you up.

Each boulder that appears on your path needs to be faced.  And God stands ready to help you persevere when you ask Him for wisdom and courage.

If He has given you your dream, He will lead you forward step by step.

ANALYZE EXTERNAL OBSTACLES:
1. Time: I'm already running like crazy. I don't have time to explore this. Look at your priorities. Do a daily, weekly, monthly analysis. Could you fit in an evening, lunchtime, or Saturday morning to pursue your dream?

2. Money: I have no extra money to do what I'm passionate about. Analyze your budget, reprioritize your spending. Assign a set amount each month to finance meetingyour goal.

3. Family: My husband, kids, mother, siblings--won't let me! Explain your passion is necessary self-care. You need it. You want their support. You want to care for them. BUT you must also care for yourself emotionally and in other ways.

4. Health and Age: Work on taking care of yourself physically, but look for ways to step toward your dream as you can. Invite others to your home, use the phone or internet to encourage or advocate for others. Take courses online and learn, no matter what your age or stage in life. Be willing to accept help and pray to inspire others as they see your commitment to your dream.

5. Criticism: Expect it! Some will tell you to be satisfied with your life, even if you're not. Others might say you are neglecting your responsibilities. You can't do it. You shouldn't do it. They wouldn't do it!  What does your heart say? What does your head say? What does God say in His Word?
What is His message to you about the timing, the cost personally, the adjustments required in your family's schedule? Listen for His voice and His peace in your heart.

Want Biblical guidance? Here are some wise words to take to heart:
Proverbs 19: 2. It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Proverbs 19: 8. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.
Proverbs 19: Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

Poppy
To reach me regarding my availability to speak on this topic or others, contact me at:
www.poppysmith.com

DREAMS REQUIRE KNOWING YOURSELF

What Fills you, Thrills you, Calls to you?

After you've identified some of your spiritual gifts, strengths and passions, the next question to ask yourself is: Where and how can I incorporate them in my life?
As a follower of Jesus, what you fill your life with needs to reflect His values and calling.
A friend struggled with this because she wanted to own a flower shop. She was passionate about flowers but wondered if this was "serious" enough. But isn't this a reflection of "being made in God's image"? She revels in her love of beauty and nature which God created for our pleasure.
Anything that expresses our joy and delight in His handiwork: flowers, art, creative acts, loving people, encouraging them, making money to support your family and to share with others in need: all these and many other careers and callings are worthy ways to use your life.

• If your passion is caring for people: look into the helping professions or a field that connects you with supplying the needs of people. If you can't do it full-time, look for part-time or volunteer involvement. Your heart's longing to touch others' lives can be met whatever your age. Pray for creativity and direction to add this element to your life.
• If your passion is caring for children: be a teacher at some level, run a home daycare or share child-care, volunteer at a school to teach gym, or art, or mentor a child or teen. You could be a foster parent, or involved in protecting children from harm.  Again, pray for direction and be willing to risk something new and stretching.
• Whatever your passion, take a step toward incorporating it into your life.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (fear, laziness, our own agenda?) and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Look at what stirs your heart with excitement and pray about moving forward. Obstacles of all sorts will inevitably appear, so watch for the next blog which will deal with overcoming both external and internal objections to following your dreams. Be sure and forward or recommend this blog to friends who would benefit.

Here's my question for you: What would you like to do with your life?  What obstacles lie in your path?  Share your comments in the box below.

Love to you in the Name of Jesus, the One who came to give us life abundant.
Poppy

10 Helps to Discovering Your Dream

LOOK AT YOUR LIFE'S ROAD MAP

Not everyone knows their passion, or has a firmly established dream. To discover what you're passionate about, look back and trace where you've come from.

Here are some questions to ask that will help you discover how you are designed by God. Knowing these things about yourself will help you to find your passion and dream about the next steps.
Probe who you really are!

• What excites you?
• What did you enjoy doing?
• What were you good at?
• What did others compliment you on?
• What is deeply important to you?
• What would you like to experience again, now or in the future?

If you were to describe yourself, what would you say to the following?

• I am a person who is....
• I am a person who loves....
• I am a person who needs....
• I am a person who longs for....

In my next blog I'll give your some more questions to help you get to know yourself and who God has designed you to be.

 I hope you'll take some time to reflect, maybe write down your thoughts in a journal, and pray for the Spirit's insight and wisdom as you consider your life's direction. Click on the comment box below and let me know how this blog is helping you discover the precious and unique person you are, by God's design.

Blessings,