“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

God gives everyone different dreams so that all his purposes are fulfilled in the world. That’s why you’re passionate about some things and couldn't care less about others. God made you to be you. And you’re responsible for fulfilling the dream he gave you.

But how do you know if your dream is from God? There are two ways you can tell. One, a God-given dream will somehow help others; it won’t be self-centered. And, two, a dream God gives will be so big that you won’t be able to achieve it in your own power. It’s as if God says, “The dream I have for you is so big that you’re bound to fail if you don’t depend on me.”

Many people hold back from dreaming great dreams, and you’ll often hear them say one of three things:

1. "I don't have a dream because they’re scary.” Well, of course they’re scary. That's why dreams require faith. Every major decision I made during my 40-plus years as senior pastor of Saddleback Church scared me to death. So I just decided a long time ago not to base my life on fear; instead, I just do the thing I’m afraid of.

That's what courage is. If you're not afraid, you don't need courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is when you do what you know God has told you to do even though it scares you.

2. “I’m not going after my dream because I don’t have peace about it.” The truth is that you’re not going to have peace about a dream until you take the first step towards it. God doesn't give you the peace you need before you make the move. Of course you have fears, but when you step into the water and watch the waves part, peace comes.

3. “I used to have a dream, but it never happened.” If God has given you a dream and it hasn't come true yet, don't despair. There's always a delay between the dream and the fulfillment.

In fact, delays are part of the journey because God uses them to build your faith. God's timing is always perfect.

The Message paraphrase says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20). 

God uses your dreams—the scary dreams, the dreams you don’t have peace about, and the dreams that haven’t happened yet—to grow your faith and do great things!