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Life at its Best: Use belief, work, trust to realize dreams

Jim Graff
  • By Jim Graff
  • Originally published August 10, 2012 at midnight, updated August 10, 2012 at midnight

I had a dream childhood growing up. My dad was a great provider and worked hard to make sure we had everything we needed. I can't remember ever worrying about having food on the table or clothes on my back; my biggest worry was finding a way to win the next family game of whiffle ball.

However, at age 15, everything changed. I got a call that my dad had a massive heart attack and had been rushed to the hospital. When we got there, the doctor informed us he'd blown a major artery in his heart and didn't have many years left.

As I thought about the doctor's words, fear gripped my heart. My dad was my provider, trainer and best friend, and when I thought about life without him, my goals and dreams suddenly seemed far less attainable. How would I get the training and resources I needed?

The next several years of my life weren't easy. During that time, though, I realized the faithfulness of my heavenly father. I learned I had a father who cared about me and who was capable of providing everything I needed to fulfill His will.

God desires to be that kind of father to all of us. He knows the deepest dreams of our heart, and will give us everything we need to make them a reality. But we must do our part; and in his word we find three keys that will help us do that.

The first thing we must do is believe in our dream. We have to dare to believe that no matter how big, crazy or impossible it may seem, God can make it happen. There'll be times when it gets hard. There'll be people and circumstances that tempt us to give up, but during those times, we must remind ourselves that we serve a God who can do "exceedingly, abundantly and above anything we can imagine."

Secondly, we must practice daily principles that'll make those dreams real. God never calls us to something he can't equip us for, and in his word, he's given us all the tools we need to see our dreams fulfilled. However, fulfilling our higher purpose requires living with a higher level of discipline. We must be disciplined to spend time with him every day, discovering and practicing his principles for success.

Lastly, we must trust God's wisdom above our own. He knows the end from the very beginning and knows exactly how to get us where we need to be, but we have to trust him. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." When we learn to trust God and follow him, regardless of what situations look like, we'll see our dreams fulfilled.

What dream has God placed in your heart? I encourage you, dare to believe in it. Live with discipline and practice his principles for success. Then, trust his wisdom as he helps you fulfill the awesome dream he has for you.

Jim Graff is the senior pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria. Visit faithfamilyvictoria.com for more information.