Have you ever wanted something for so long and when you finally got it, you didn’t feel what you thought you would feel?

I’m sure for most of us there was excitement and joy to know that what you had been dreaming about for so long was no longer a dream, but it was actually your reality.

But how long did that excitement and joy last?

Think of all the celebrities who have given the warning about chasing “things” and how the “things” never bring the fulfillment we all desire.

So why is it that we still live in a world where we encourage people to chase their dreams and never give up on them?

Why is that people spend a majority of their lives putting what matters to the side to go after their dreams?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been a big dreamer since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until I was exposed to people who looked like me and people who came from humble beginnings just like me that I really started believing that all the big dreams I had were actually possible for me.

This is when I began to chase my dreams.

As I look back over these past nine years, I can honestly say that almost every dream I had for my life, I’ve seen those dreams come to pass. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve grown so much as a person during this process.

However, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that when my dreams became my reality, it wasn’t all roses and butterflies.

In fact, after seeing many of my dreams come true, I began to notice a pattern that seemed to happen each and every time and I wanted to share this with others, so you don’t find yourself disappointed and feeling like you’re crazy.

I am of the mindset that most of our dreams (especially the big, audacious ones) are given to us by God and He wants to see if we will have the faith to believe in them.

But I am always reminded of the story of Joseph where he was clearly given a dream by God and that dream landed him in a pit and a prison before seeing the actual dream become his reality.

So, keep this in mind, as I share what I have learned in my own life because I truly believe if you get this, it will help make your journey a little easier to endure…

THERE’S USUALLY A HONEYMOON PHASE

Have you ever met someone who was newly married?

They typically are all over each other and just so giddy with love.

They are excited about this new thing they have entered into, and they love sharing their happiness with anyone who will listen.

People who have had their dreams become their reality are often just like those in the honeymoon phase of marriage. In the beginning everyone’s excited about the business opportunity. In the beginning, everyone is over the moon about the new relationship. In the beginning, everyone can’t wait to tell others about the new, dream job.

Everything seems amazing in the beginning.

But somewhere along the way, things take a turn…

The business is losing more money than it brings in.

You begin to notice things that bother you about your partner.

You realize that although the “dream” job is the “dream,” it’s still a job just like any other job.

THE HONEYMOON COMES TO AN END

Just like every newly married couple’s honeymoon comes to an end, so does the “honeymoon” phase of your dream.

I’m not saying that everything goes from great to awful, but I am saying that there is a point where reality sets in and you begin to see that dreams don’t mean you’re coasting through life on cloud nine, but in actuality dreams require you show up daily and put in work.

Business opportunities require time, patience, and the willingness to be prepared for closed doors and losses.

New relationships require vulnerability and there’s always a chance of getting hurt.

The dream job comes with tasks and responsibilities you would rather do without.

No matter what the dream is, it comes with things that are not always going to be easy or enjoyable.

This is the point where it can be easy to feel like you have made a mistake, and you can find yourself trying to abort the dream before you even begin to see the fruits of your labor.

If you believe it was a dream from God, you can begin to question “did I hear God correctly?”

I believe this is one of the most critical and important times of your life. This is a time where you really need to get still, seek clarity, and don’t be in a rush to make any decisions.

YOU ARE AT A CROSSROADS

Have you ever seen an image of a person with an angel sitting on one shoulder and a devil sitting on the other?

I feel like that’s the best way to describe this stage of the process when your dream becomes your reality.

You find yourself in a confusing and difficult place because there are many things about the dream that brings you joy, but there are also things that feel like a thorn in your side.

How do you know if this is something you need to push through or if this is God telling you that this wasn’t His dream for you, but something you went out and did on your own?

I have to go back to the story of Joseph because it was twelve years from the time Joseph had a dream and the time, he saw that dream become his reality.

I’ll be honest I don’t know if I could have persevered like Joseph did.

It wasn’t like Joseph was sitting in his beachfront home chilling for twelve years. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and then he ended up spending years in prison for a crime he didn’t even commit.

Sometimes the “dream” can feel like a prison.

This is when that little devil gets in your head and begins to tell you what a mistake you’ve made and how your life is going to feel like a prison forever.

However, the good news is that whether you followed a God dream or you ventured out on your own, you are never stuck, and God can always direct you to the path He has for you.

First if you were obedient and followed a God dream, this part that may feel like a prison could actually be training and preparation. I like to say God is taking us through refinement and character-building school.

Sometimes God allows us into parts of the dream, and we don’t even realize that this isn’t even the whole dream we’re experiencing. He gives us a little to see how we will handle it before He entrusts us with more.

Satan is hoping most of us will fumble the ball or turn and go back to what was familiar and comfortable, while God is lovingly encouraging us to keep our eyes on Him and choose wisely.

I don’t know where you find yourself in your process, but I want to encourage you that no matter if the dream was a God dream or a you-dream, God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Yes, things are often glorious when the dream becomes your reality, but nothing last forever. There will be highs and there will also be lows.

There will come a time where you find yourself wanting to give up, and the unfortunate thing is God will never make your decision for you. Yes, He knows what’s best for you, but He also gives you the freedom to choose.

I’ve walked through this process numerous times and every time I’ve found myself at a crossroads and I chose to push through no matter how bad I wanted to quit, I have never regretted that decision. God didn’t make my decisions for me, but He always gave clues as to what was the best option. (Pay attention, He’s giving you clues as well.)

No, I didn’t enjoy the discomfort of staying when I wanted to go.

No, I didn’t enjoy the betrayal of people who were around me.

No, I didn’t enjoy the days when it seemed like nothing went my way.

But, when I got to the other side, the discomfort, the betrayal, and the disappointments were all worth it.

Those things taught me I was stronger than I ever thought I was.

Those things taught me to be more discerning in relationships.

Those things taught me how to handle disappointments in a mature way.

Whatever your dream is, I believe God wants you to pursue it, not in the way the world tells you to pursue, because the world’s way always leaves you feeling empty at the end.

But if you open your heart to trusting God’s way, God’s timing, and His process for pursuing your dreams, you’ll be prepared for the ups and the downs that come, and you’ll choose wisely when you find yourself wanting to give up.

I’m not going to lie, it won’t be easy, but when your dreams become your reality not only will you be glad you hung in there, but all the people who will be blessed because of you will be glad you didn’t give up because truth be told, our dreams are more about others than they are about ourselves.

So, dream big, be patient, and enjoy the journey because somebody’s counting on you.