To Achieve Your Dream, Give It Up
By Rick Warren
“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NLT)
You’ll never achieve your dream until you learn to give it up. It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true! When it comes to your dream, surrendering it to Jesus is always the safest decision you’ll ever make.
God typically takes your dream through six different stages. I’ve seen him do it countless times—in my own life and in the lives of others.
Stage 1: God gives you a dream.
Stage 2: You decide to go after the dream.
Stage 3: Your dream is delayed.
Stage 4: Your dream encounters difficulties.
Stage 5: Your dream hits a dead end.
Stage 6: God delivers your dream.
During each of these stages, you’re continuing to work on your dream. And at the same time, God is working on you.
More than anything else, God wants you to trust him. The apostle Paul says it like this: “I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13 NLT).
The Bible says emphatically that you can do anything, as long as you do it with God’s help or, as Paul says, “through Christ, who gives me strength.” You’ll need much more than positive thinking as you pursue your God-given dreams. You’ll need the power of God.
Many people have read one motivational book after another and still haven’t made progress toward their dreams. That’s because you don’t need stronger motivation. You need God’s supernatural help.
Have you been trying to make your dreams set sail on your own power? If so, I guarantee you’re getting nowhere—at least on the dreams that really matter in your life. When you’re the one powering it, the wind is dead.
Surrender your dreams to God. Let him give them the power to set sail.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
