How to Build Faith while Building your Dream

Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams? 

Maybe you lost your faith, have been embarrassed by failure, and want to walk away from it.

Big dreams are exciting, but when they don’t happen fast enough, it’s natural to doubt they ever will. 

Don't Give up on Your Dreams-How to Have Faith and Lean not on Your Own Understanding

I have some practical things to do when you feel discouragement and doubt creep in. These life hacks will help you build faith in the Lord while building your dream.

John 16:33 (NIV) comes to mind when I think of giving up. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

When chasing your dream, it’s easy to stop at the verse that says, “You will have trouble.” But if you build your faith in the Lord, you can find hope in knowing that He has overcome the world.

This Bible verse reminds us that God is there for us. I believe He is not only rooting us on, but He is actively helping us along the way.

So, how do you get from having troubles to finding hope? What can you do when you feel like your prayers are going unanswered? 

3 Ways to get unstuck and not give up on Your dream. 

WOW Moments (Witness of Wonder)
What is a WOW moment? WOW moments are when you so clearly know that God had an obvious hand in something in your life. 

You know your WOW moment is not a coincidence. It's not an accident. You are confident that God intentionally did something in your life. It's like WOW; there's no other explanation than God did that thing. You can learn more about WOW moments here.

I record my WOW moments in a journal. This journal is only for those awe-inspiring moments from God. It’s where I put all the amazing times I saw God at work in my day.

How a WOW Moment Journal Helps you Not Give up on Your Dream 

When you’re discouraged and you want to give up on your dreams, take out your WOW moment journal and read through it.

As you read through your journal, you’ll remember all the times God has been at work in your day. You’ll feel encouraged to keep going, and you’ll learn to build your dream with the faith you have in the Lord.

The more you read and record your WOW moments, the more you’ll see God in your day. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

So write down those WOW moments. Then when you're having an off day or an off week, grab your journal and read it. I think you’ll find the comfort and encouragement you need to keep going after your dream.

How to Start a WOW Moment Journal

• Get a blank notebook or journal. 

• Jot down a few sentences about your WOW moment from God. I encourage you to do it the same day it happened, so you don’t forget. You would think that if something amazing happens and it comes from God that you wouldn't forget it. I have found that this is not always the case. Somehow life gets busy, and memories fade. 

• Keep your WOW Moment Journal somewhere easily accessible. You never know when your next WOW moment will be!

How Service to Others Keep you from Giving up on Your Dreams 

When you're feeling defeated, a lot of thoughts run through your head. You have thoughts on what you couldn't do. You have things you wish you would have done. It’s like your thoughts get stuck in a loop of how you messed up and how you will never find success.

In these times, I think the best way to keep your faith in the Lord and not give up on your dream is to focus your thoughts on something else.

Helping somebody else can take your focus off of what you can’t do and shift your focus to what you can do and what you can give.

There’s gratitude that comes from helping others. You gain an appreciation for the talents God so graciously gave you. 

Service to others changes your thoughts from what you can’t do to what you can do.

Some Ways to be of Service to Others

Your way of service to others is likely different from what my service to others looks like. 

• When I'm feeling discouraged, I sew blankets for the Ronald McDonald House. It shifts my mind and energy to something positive.
• You might be good at cooking or baking. I’m sure you could find many helpful things to do with that skill.
• Perhaps you are very social. You could call a grandparent or volunteer at a nursing home.

Figure out what you enjoy doing, and then the next time you feel like giving up on your dream, be of service to someone else.

How Prayer Helps you Build Faith and not Give up on Your Dream

Pin it for later

There’s one last thing that I’ve found helpful when I feel like giving up on my dream, and that’s prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Prayer doesn’t have to be formal and prayed in a church. It can be a conversation you can have with God. I like to sit in a comfy place in my home with a cup of tea and talk about how I’m feeling discouraged.

At some point in the conversation, I’ll typically ask God to please open my eyes to all the ways He’s there for me and all the opportunities He’s placed around me.

Trust God with your Dreams

I encourage you to plan your dreams with God. I don't think there is anyone more loving and powerful than He is. And I believe He wants good things for you!

Journal Prompts Inspired by Scripture

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

• Journal about a time a situation came up in your life that you felt your experiences had perfectly prepared you for.
• Journal about a WOW Moment you've had-a time God was clearly a part of.
• Journal about what your dream is and why it's important to you.