I’ve always been a dream-chaser.
When I was a little girl—probably about five or six years old—I started writing. I dreamed about writing books and getting them published. I actually tried to get one of my stories published as a child. I used notebook paper to write the story and then sent it to a publisher in the mail. Unfortunately—but not surprisingly—the publisher politely declined it.
During my teen years, I started this blog. Initially, I covered a wide variety of topics, filling my posts with very earnest (but pretty random) thoughts about God and faith. Over time, I found my sweet spot—my passion—as a writer: encouraging young women through personal stories and scriptural truths. My posts soon began to reflect my passion. I really wanted to help young women grow in their relationships with God—but I really wanted a book deal too.
My Relentless Pursuit
As I grew in my craft and consistency, I continued to dream about becoming a writer—a real writer with a real book deal from a real publisher. I chased my dream harder and faster, hoping and praying I’d get the “happily ever after” I so desperately desired. After college, I searched for publishers and literary agencies so I could publish my book about eating disorder recovery. Only one publisher expressed interest in my book, so I accepted their offer. But the publication and post-publication processes looked very different than I expected, and I honestly felt more frustrated than fulfilled.
Despite my frustration, I continued chasing my dreams. I spent the next four years working on a book about singleness. I contacted several people and places about publication, attended a writers’ conference with the hope of making strategic connections, and revised my book countless times to ensure it was as perfect as possible.
However, when none of the publishers or literary agencies I contacted expressed interest in my book, I came face-to-face with defeat. Since self-publication was basically my only option after that, I reluctantly faced reality and self-published my book. But I still didn’t feel like a real writer. Instead, I felt like a real failure.
A Transformational Truth for Dream-Chasers
Maybe you’re a dream-chaser like me. You know what you want and work hard to make it happen—but when your dreams don’t come true, you feel like a failure. You beat yourself up, believing you should’ve chased your dreams harder and faster. So that’s what you promise yourself you’ll do next time.
I admire your drive and determination. I don’t want to discourage you from chasing your dreams, especially if you believe God placed them in your heart. But there’s something I need to tell you—something I’d tell my younger self—about dream-chasing: The outcome is in God’s hands, not yours.
An Unshakable Hope in an Unfailing Love
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. (Psalm 33:16-17 ESV)
Even great armies, strong warriors and powerful horses can’t guarantee victory because God alone provides victory. That doesn’t mean the king should simply sit on his throne and hope for the best. He needs to ensure his armies, warriors and horses are prepared for battle. But when the king places his trust in God’s love, he can have peace whether the outcome of the battle is victory or defeat.
God loves you with an unfailing love, and He works through the victories and the defeats in your life. He is trustworthy, which means His plan for you is trustworthy. When you rely on His unfailing love—rather than your own efforts—you can have peace whether your dreams come true or not.
If my younger self had placed her hope in God’s unfailing love, she probably wouldn’t have felt so disappointed as she chased her dreams. I wish she hadn’t put so much pressure on herself because even though she could control her efforts, she couldn’t control the outcomes. When her dreams didn’t come true, it didn’t mean she was a failure; it meant God had a better plan for her.
So this is what I’d tell my younger self about chasing her dreams (and what I’d tell you about chasing yours): When your hope is in God’s unfailing love, nothing—not even defeat—can shake it.
