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Today, we’re wrapping up our book study of You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream, by Holley Gerth. This is the book that started it all for our group. Ironically, I was a few months into participating in this ministry when I realized the book existed!
It’s been convicting and encouraging to read along with everyone.
Here are the highlights I’ve learned along the way:
The More You’re Made For
So many lies keep us from dreaming. Holley highlights 5 of them and communicates the truth:
- Dreaming is NOT selfish
- You DO have what it takes
- It’s NOT too late
- You DO deserve to dream
- You DO have time
Takeaway: Answering lies about dreams with the truth helps us knock out excuses holding us back from pursuing God’s will.
You Might Have a God-Sized Dream If
It’s easy to think that God-sized dreams are about results or doing something great for God. The truth is, they’re all about Him! So when we’re wondering if God’s given us a dream, we can start by looking at what He’s already given us—our personalities, strengths, gifts, and passion for serving Him.
Takeaway: We can recognize our God-sized dreams by considering how God made us and how our unique composition can glorify Him.
The Heart of a Dreamer
If you aren’t sure if you’re a dreamer this chapter is for you. Signs you’re a dreamer include:
- You keep your heart open
- You encourage others
- You don’t do it all
- You pursue a different kind of ambition
Takeaway: If you’ve got the heart of a dreamer, you can make a difference anywhere.
What Comes Next For You
Being a planner, I love understanding practical steps. Holley’s approach begins further back than my to-do lists tend to go though. She invites us to start with our “why.”
Takeaway: If we don’t define our dreams, we can easily get bogged down in “figuring them out” instead of following God along the way.
A Guide to Overcoming Your Fear
This is my favorite chapter! Holley addresses fear as reasonable and God-given. But, then she explains that fear can get out of hand. Her advice for training fear (like a dog!) is gold.
Takeaway: If we avoid fear instead of training it to be useful, we miss out on much of what God has for us.
The Disclaimers
Dreaming isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Anyone who pursues a God-sized dream knows that too well.
Takeaway: We’ll face unexpected and unpleasant things as we dream with God, but we can count on God to always be good and reliable.
When Your God-Sized Dreams Go Wrong
More than just being surprising or challenging, dreaming can also be full-on disastrous. We can fail. Circumstances may seem to kill our dreams dead.
Takeaway: “The Dream Giver is also Dream Keeper.” And, I might add, the One who gives life in the first place and also raises the dead!
How to Stop Sabotaging Yourself
It seems we dreamers can also be over-achievers. Our striving often leads to our demising. Holley shares several ways we can stop sabotaging ourselves, like:
- Remember you’re human
- Take care of your body
- Build a dream team
Takeaway: We need to be “on our side,” seeing ourselves as God does, not as the Enemy wants us to.
Why Your Dream is Worth It
When I am discouraged in the pursuit of a God-sized dream, this is a chapter to return to. There are many reasons our dreams are worth it.
Takeaway: The most important reason our dreams are worth it is that they are all about obeying God and being close to Him!
What were your biggest takeaways from You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream? How has this book impacted your dream-walk with God?
Shared by Bethany McIlrath
Michele Morin says
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I’m definitely with you on the favorite chapter and the truth that fear is not a deal breaker in the dreaming business. I’m learning to look at it through the lens of promise and to ask myself if I would be willing to miss out on the blessing of doing the hard thing in order to side step fear. Thanks, Bethany, for this reminder that God goes with us through fear, and we will not be burned by the fire or overflowed by the flood!
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mbethany says
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So glad fear is not a deal breaker and that God goes with us. Thanks for your perspective, Michele! That’s a good question to ask ourselves. : )
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Betsy Cruz says
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I’ve still not read this book, but it certainly sounds helpful and inspiring. A few years ago, I read the Do What You Can Plan. It was so helpful. I think I need to check this book out, Bethany. I especially appreciate the reminder that I DO have time and I DO have what it takes!
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mbethany says
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Betsy, it was one of those on my list for a long time before I got around to it, and I’m glad I finally did! I hope you will be too 🙂 Going to look the Do What You Can Plan up!! Thanks for stopping by- and yes you do!
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