Proverbs 23:7a (AMP)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“You only have control over three things in your life. Number one, the thoughts you think. Number two, the images you visualize. And number three, the actions you take… How you use these three things determines everything you experience.” – Jack Canfield
I love that quote! It seems like many people spend time considering the actions they take. But do we spend calculated time thinking and visualizing (dreaming)? If we were to evaluate our own lives, we probably spend more time on the action side, and far less on the visualizing side. However, some of the most successful people are those who have developed a lifestyle of intentionally dreaming about their future.(Mary Kay Ash – founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sam Walton – founder of Wal-Mart, Jack Nicklaus – pro golfer, Steve Jobs – founder of Apple, to name a few.)
In an earlier post entitled What Running a Marathon, Interior Design and Leading Worship Have in Common, I shared four steps for developing your dreams. Lets take a closer look at the final one.
Step 4: Pick an area of your life that you want to see change come to, and dream… over and over again, specifically about what that change will look like.
Perhaps you’re in a challenging season of parenting. Dream into that situation. Imagine your child on the other side of this, successful, charactered and stronger than ever. Dream of your response and guidance as a parent. Is it loving, nurturing, intentional? See yourself as the parent you want to be, achieving the results you want to achieve. What does that feel like? What does your child feel on the other side of this challenge? Can you see it?
Maybe you’re in a new job or area of ministry at your church. Imagine yourself being the best leader in your new sphere of influence that you can be. Dream of how others under your care will feel when you encourage, train and empower them. See them stepping into new territory as you assist them in discovering who God created them to be. See your self serving and loving as an extension of Christ. Isn’t that amazing? (And doesn’t it show you areas you need to develop!?)
By specifically dreaming into an area of your life, you develop a clear image of where you want to go and who you want to become.
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
God’s plans for you are good, even in the midst of whatever discouraging situation you’re in right now. Allow the Holy Spirit the opportunity to show you what He sees by intentionally dreaming. Create the opportunity for Him to direct your thoughts and dreams so they come into alignment with His will for your life. He wants to show you something new, something you’ve never thought of or imagined before.
I’d love for you to develop the habit of intentionally dreaming so that you see more clearly the amazing future He has for you!
(If you missed the first 3 steps, check out those posts here: Step 1, Step 2, Step 3)
Leave a Reply