God-sized dreams...you can do more than you know

A few years ago my husband tore his ACL on a ski trip. Surgery followed and then he spent time doing physical therapy. I’d ask how it went and he’d respond, “It hurt. The therapist made me do more than I thought I could. But my knee is starting to feel better.”

Ironically, experiencing the pain of pushing past his limits eventually led to healing. It’s often the same with our dreams.

We think, “God, you’re asking me to do that now? I can’t take anymore!” But He knows that the pain that may come from the emotional stretching we do is actually going to bring about what we’ve been longing for all these years.

We all sometimes say to yourselves, “I’ve got all I can handle right now. I can’t stretch another bit.” So we set our hearts back down on the couch and wait for healing and hope to come.

But maybe it isn’t.

Maybe it’s going to take us getting up off the couch, out of our comfort zones, and doing more than we thought we could before our dreams happen.

I realize that’s not easy. I know. It’s hard, painful, and sometimes slow. It takes more courage than we think we have right now. Much of the time, we’re not going to want to do it. And that’s okay.

I think of the “heroes” of faith. I don’t think any of them greeted the risks God asked them to take with enthusiasm.

Moses told God he didn’t want to go to Egypt and talk to Pharaoh.

Esther wasn’t thrilled about going before the king.

Jesus asked for the cup of the cross to pass him by if at all possible.

So emotionally feeling excited about getting out of your comfort zone isn’t required. It’s absolutely optional. (And psst, here’s a secret, it doesn’t make you less spiritual than Risky Rachel who’s off serving God in the Amazon.)

What matters with all of the above is simply that you do it anyway. 

You’re hurt…and you reach out anyway.

You’re scared…and you take the step anyway.

You’re comfortable…and you step outside those walls you’ve built anyway.

God’s isn’t picky. He’ll take us any way He can get us.

And then He'll give us even more than we can imagine.

Would you like to leave a comment or Subscribe by Email?

Read the rest of the God-sized dreams series.

 

p.s. I'm doing a podcast interview with Jill Hart at 10:30am CST on the 17th. I'd love for you to listen online!

Comments

[Ann Voskamp]

Ahh.... yes!
I can't be Risky Rachel --- but maybe Anyway Annie?
That might just fit! :)
Especially this week.

How I thank God for you!

Girded by your good words, ((H))

All's grace,
Ann

[Susanna]

Holley your so spot on! At the moment I really feel God is saying come on trust you'll get through this. Thanks for your words s x

[Mari Larkin]

Amen Sister! Exactly what God is doing to us, and showing us.
Been reading a great book...and it had this in it:
"When things are going 'bad' that does not mean God has stopped doing good. It means He is shifting things around to get them in place for more good...He works all things together for good for those who love Him." ~John Piper

Seems to be a common theme that God is making sure we learn!
Thanks.

[We are THAT family]

I love this Holley. And I love you. xoxo

[Denese]

Holley,
I can deal with the one teeny tiny step at a time. Then I hardly realize that a transformation is in the works.
Your words meet me each day as if they were written just for me at this very moment. Isn't it just amazing how God does that??? Thank you for sharing from your heart <3

[Linda]

It is so true Holley. Our human nature just wants it to be simple and comfortable. I have known these things, but I love the way you've written it.

[Becky]

Thank you, Holley. You're such a blessing to me...

I thank you and I thank God for you...

[Reese]

Ahh. So True Holley!!

I hope all is well with you & your's.

xo
Reese

[Laurie Wallin]

Oh yes! A kindred spirit! This is my life EVERY DAY as a mom of 4 (2 adopted, with emotional/behavioral disorders). I just had a really tough week in that regard and wrote about it on my site.

This is great stuff - may the Lord continue to bless your outreach and encouragement of women worldwide!

Glad I found you here online!

-Laurie
http://livingpower.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/mylivingpower
Encouraging moms with intense challenges, who choose to thrive anyway!

[laura @life overseas]

YES! I was just reading this morning about the Israelites. Following God was somehow easier when they were walking through the parted waters of the Red Sea, but much harder when they were in the middle of the desert. Obedience and faith on the mountaintop comes more quickly than in the dark valleys when all your senses are telling you to throw up your hands and walk away.

I am learning here as I adjust to a more isolated life apart from the applause of "church ministry", that my true Christ-following is seen in the sands of the desert.

Thanks for the rich reminder to keep walking through it.

[deb @talk at the table]

I know.
oh my I know.

hope you are well , Holley, and I love that article by Anne Lamott, I think I found it linked on the Relief site, good to read it again.

[pam]

Holley
stepping out of our comfort zone, is so scary.one step at a time. the lord prepares our steps. blessings to you.
1 corinthians 9 vs 24

[Denise]

Thank you, Holley. You always come through. You always seem to hit the target of my heart. Thank you for motivating me to just do it (whatever it is) in spite of how I feel, and watch to see what God will do because of that obedience. Be blessed (care free) today.

[Nell]

Holley, you seem to know me! You must have moved into my spare bedroom when I wasn't looking, ha! I had a huge God moment yesterday..something that had been sitting in my heart for awhile, a long time. This was a gift literally from His hand and I am still in awe of His power! I listened to and heeded that "still small voice" telling me to do something that was fearful. Wow! I will be feasting on this one for...always!

Your message is right on with me today and I thank the Lord for you...listening to His voice and writing from your heart the things He gives you. Praise God!

[Donna]

Thanks Holley for another encouraging post on God-size dreams! It is not easy to step out of our comfort zones. If we can just take that first small step, it will be like jumping a major hurdle. Some days I do okay and then some days I battle fear and discouragement. I have to remind myself that God is my helper and my strength. Blessings on your day!

[Barb]

This was exactly what I needed to hear this morning! We are in the process of foster adoption and what you've said gave me more things to chew on and think about. Bless You, Holley!!

[Susan]

Your post today is so what I need to hear - - but not what I want to hear. I have been through hard times before in my life and in hindsight I see the growth - I see what God was doing in my life . . .but this trial, this test is breaking my heart. I am moving forward with God, but doing so with much crying, occasional screaming . . .but a lot of quiet - - wondering, where God are you leading me to? Thank you, Holley, for giving my thoughts,words; my heart,hope. You are a blessing. I am reading your book and it is bringing comfort, challenges, compassion. and oh, how you help me to feel not so alone. you are a blessing unto me!

[Abbie]

Morning Holley,

This was very encouraging!

[HONEY]

This posting for the day has been a journey that I have been traveling for several months now. I have stepped outside my box to be a better wife, mother, friend and christian. I have lived in fear for the majority of my life. Afraid to speak, to do, to experience, to really commit fully to my realtionship with my husband, and so much more. So in faith I made a choice to step up and out and to not let fear rule my life. It has been so difficult in many ways and still after all this time on the journey, I hestitate to stand tall once I step out for fear of not being good enough or of being rejected. I am still trying to process why my life took such a detour, but I think I am almost there. I ask for each of you to pray me up to be secure in who I am and whose I am.....I have a voice and I want it to be heard not just tolerated by my spouse. I want the fear I have known to be understood by him because he has contributed to this with very negative stance on things and very controlling attitudes. As we try a new adventure...motorcycles and joining a club for fellowship and this has been wonderful...but still I feel some hidden agenda is masked by the motorcycle and I am cautious to step out too quick and surrender to this completely. Please pray for discernment and peace....in the name of Jesus....
Honey

[Mandy Ford]

Thank you so much for this. I have had to do a lot of emotional stretching the past few years, and yes it has been VERY scary at times, and most of the time I didn't want to do it, but wow am I ever grateful for it now.

[cindy]

Every night I pray and think about all I'm going to do the next day. And then the next day comes and I feel the anxiety and depression seeping in. I try to fight it. I've seen doctors about it, but it still creeps slowly in. Some days aren't so bad and I work like crazy those days trying to catch up. I know I am hurting my family. They are very encouraging though. But I have important things I have to do in order to move on with my life. my past, which was very bad, is over. I have a new life now. Thanks to my parents my children and I have a safe place to live and stability. I want to "take the bull by the horns" and move on. It is so hard, though.
Cindy

[Lana]

I just took on a post in my fellowship in church today. Although I was not too enthusiastic about this (didn't want to step out of my comfort zone), I knew there was no getting away from it, and I know God was actually taking my hand and leading me to this (patiently, too). Thanks for your message today. It is really encouraging, like He was talking to me thru you.

Blessings,

[mary]

This is so true. I've been called upon to do more than I thought myself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually capable of. But the Grace of our Faithful God was there every time. I thank you for your post. It was truely a blessing and an encouragement. Thanks again and may the Lord bless you richly.

[Beth]

My church was hit early Sunday morning by a tornado destorying the stage and front half of the sanctuary. Please pray for unity in our church and funds to rebuild. Pray we have God size dreams and not man size.

[heidi @ wonder woman wannabe]

A very timely word of encouragement for the season my hubby and I are in right now. He's finished a long journey of pursuing a PhD and just when we thought we would be able to 'breathe' financially speaking we're stuck trying to find employment in a tough economy.

God is providing work little by little within hubby's field,(as he has for this entire program) that is sure - but we wait and hope for more secure full time employment and hope that our step of faith to our next destination will be blessed in that directive.

I always appreciate and am often blessed by your super relatable sentiments! Keep up the great work!

~heidi