(This is Part 2 in a 5 part series on How to Chase Lions…Links are below)

“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. (Genesis 37:19) Such were the words of Joseph’s brothers when they saw him.

Joseph made the mistake of sharing the dream God had placed in his heart with people who were, shall we say, not the right people to open up to. Not only couldn’t they understand the dream he spoke of, but they plotted terrible things against him. Read the story here, in Genesis 37. (In all fairness, the brothers probably had a tiny reason to be a little upset at times…see Genesis 37:3).

Have you ever made the mistake of telling your dream to the wrong person?

I’ve heard it referred to as “going to the hardware store for milk”.

It makes sense. They didn’t have it in them to become excited over his God-given vision. I read the story of Joseph and I think, “Yikes! Wrong people, Joe!” It’s perfectly clear to me.

And yet, sometimes, I find myself walking the aisles of Home Depot, shocked they don’t carry gallons of 2%. How about you?

Here’s the thing, when we’re lion chasing, we can’t spend our energy on wasted trips. So, what can we do?

Keeping these things in mind has helped me re-focus on what is important…chasing that lion, not wandering the aisles wondering when they will install a refrigerated section.

1.) Don’t Take It Personal. This is hard, I know. But it’s likely that they would be this way with everyone who approaches them, excited about a dream. I’ve noticed, very few times has their lack of joy (or even outright anger) at the sharing of my dreams, actually had much to do with me.

They have their own issues. Their own lions that loom in the distance, that they’ve either tried to chase and have failed or have never found the courage to take down. Their faith may not be as strong.

When you begin to acknowledge yours, it makes the gulf between them and their dream seem that much wider. Plus you might be changing in ways they fear will change their relationship with you, and not for the better. If you become that person you were meant to be, that means change and change can be scary. They might fear losing you.

2.) Pray. That they will allow God to come and heal their broken places, that they too will have their eyes opened to the lion chasing abilities God can awaken in them. That they will begin to see the calling He has on their life.

3.) Do NOT Take Their Lack of Excitement as an Indication You Should Give Up. Whatever you do, do not, do not, do not take this personally or as an indication that you are to stop, not without checking first with God. He’ll let you know if it is time. The enemy will try anything he can to get you off course.

Without realizing what I was doing, for years and years I was attempting to get approval, thinking when I got this, then I’d move forward. Finally when I put God in charge, I started to see how backwards my thinking was.

That thinking kept me trapped for years. I seemed determined to find a way to change what the hardware store sold, rather than change where I went for milk.

Thank God He is so faithful, and as you walk in His ways, He will line up the right, supportive people. Going to the hardware store will become less and less appealing. I still goof up and do it, but now, rather than find myself wandering around for hours, I notice where I’m at as I pull into the parking lot. Quite an improvement.

All of which leads us right into Part 3, posting later this week! You don’t want to miss it!

“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.”1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV

This post is part of a 5 part series – here are the links: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

 

*This article was originally written/published by the author under the title “There’s No Milk at Home Depot – Chasing Lions Part 2.”

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *