Have you ever held something deep in your heart—a dream, a calling, a longing—but the moment you think about asking God for it, your mind immediately protests?
You know what it will take: time, effort, patience, and often, a path full of uncertainties.
Perhaps you’ve wanted to become a doctor, but the years of study, the financial cost, and the sacrifices feel overwhelming. Or maybe your heart longs to pursue a creative calling, like writing, painting, or music, but you hesitate because it doesn’t seem “practical” or guaranteed to provide a stable living. Even desires as personal as wanting to start a family can bring fear: the process, the waiting, the unknowns—it all can make us hesitate to bring these prayers to God.
For many of us, these questions feel heavy. We wonder, “Am I even allowed to ask for this? Is it realistic? Will it take more than I can give?” In moments like these, it’s easy to shut our hearts, to rationalize our dreams into impossibilities, or to convince ourselves that God might not want us to pursue them because they seem too ambitious or impractical.
But what if these hesitations are not meant to stop us, but to guide us into a deeper understanding of what our true needs are—and where God wants us to place our trust?
1. Understanding the Heart of Our Desires
Not all desires are equal, and not all dreams carry the same weight in God’s eyes. Some are fleeting impulses; others are gentle nudges from the Spirit, invitations to step into a calling that aligns with His purpose for our lives.
It is natural to desire more than our current circumstances, to wish for growth, fulfillment, and impact. The key is learning to discern which desires are rooted in God’s design and which come from fear, pride, or societal expectations.
For instance, a desire to pursue a creative career may seem impractical from a human perspective, but if it brings glory to God, serves others, or develops the gifts He has placed within you, then it is a desire worth exploring. Similarly, long-term dreams, like becoming a doctor or starting a business, may require patience and sacrifice—but that doesn’t mean they are outside God’s plan.
The struggle we feel when contemplating these desires is not necessarily a sign to abandon them; it can be an invitation to surrender them fully to God.
Scripture reminds us that God knows the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), but the deeper purpose is not to have every wish fulfilled immediately, but to grow in trust, patience, and alignment with Him.
Sometimes, what we truly need is not the fulfillment of the desire itself but the transformation that comes through seeking Him while holding that desire gently in our hands.
2. Surrendering Our “Impossible” Dreams to God
When our dreams seem too big, too complicated, or too uncertain, it can be tempting to either ignore them or try to control them ourselves. We begin to calculate every risk, weigh every cost, and imagine every worst-case scenario. But in doing so, we carry a weight that God never intended for us to bear.
This is where surrender comes in—not as a passive resignation, but as an active trust in God’s wisdom and timing.
Surrendering your desires doesn’t mean giving up your dreams. It means acknowledging that you cannot achieve them perfectly on your own, and that God’s guidance is essential for every step. It means saying, “Lord, I give You this longing of my heart. You know what is best. You know what I need even more than I do.”
Surrender allows us to release the pressure of having to figure everything out. It reminds us that our value is not tied to the realization of our dreams, our career titles, or our accomplishments. Our value is rooted in Christ, and our first priority is to seek Him (Matthew 6:33).
Once we internalize this, the weight of “doing it all right” or “making the perfect choice” begins to lift, and we can approach our desires with a sense of peace rather than anxiety.
Even when a dream requires time, patience, financial resources, or enduring uncertainties—like pursuing higher education, building a career, or raising a family—God is present in the waiting.
He works in the hidden moments, shaping our character, preparing us for responsibilities we might not yet understand, and drawing us closer to Himself.
3. Finding Peace in God’s Presence
The most profound truth is this: what we need most is not always the fulfillment of our desires, but the presence of God.
When our hearts are clouded with questions like, “What should I pursue? Is this possible? Can I really do this?” it is easy to forget that God’s presence itself is sufficient.
Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
In a world obsessed with action, results, and achievement, stillness can feel uncomfortable—but it is in this quiet surrender that God meets us. Our dreams, fears, and longings are safest in His hands. When we release them to Him, we open ourselves to peace, clarity, and assurance that transcend our understanding.
Prayer becomes not just a request, but an act of trust. Even when we do not see immediate answers, the act of bringing our desires before God transforms our hearts.
We learn to depend on Him rather than our own logic, to hope rather than worry, and to embrace patience rather than rush toward premature outcomes. This spiritual discipline strengthens us, equips us for challenges, and often reveals paths we could never have imagined on our own.
Moving Forward with Gentle Courage
So what should we do when our hearts long for something that seems impossible or impractical?
The answer is not simply to give up, nor is it to force our desires into immediate action. It is to return to the simplicity of God’s calling: to seek Him first, to trust Him fully, and to surrender our hearts in His presence.
We pursue our dreams not with anxiety or control, but with a gentle courage rooted in faith. We bring our hopes to God, trusting that His wisdom surpasses our understanding. We remain diligent in practical steps—education, skill-building, work—but we hold the outcomes lightly, knowing that God’s timing is perfect.
And most importantly, we let our hearts rest in the assurance that God already knows what we need, and He delights in giving peace, hope, and a future filled with promise (Jeremiah 29:11). Even when we cannot yet see the path ahead, we can rejoice in the truth that God’s love and provision are constant.
By surrendering our deepest desires, we are freed from the pressure of having to control everything.
We can focus on the present, serve faithfully, grow spiritually, and enjoy the journey, knowing that God is the ultimate fulfiller of our hearts.
Conclusion: The Beauty of Surrender
There is a quiet freedom in realizing that our dreams, no matter how large or complicated, are safe with God. We do not need to figure everything out on our own, nor do we need to force our desires into an impossible timeline. Instead, we return to Him, offer our hearts, and allow His Spirit to guide, refine, and nurture our longing.
Your prayers, your dreams, your questions—bring them all to God. Even when logic or fear tells you it is impossible, trust that His perspective is perfect.
Be still in His presence, cultivate patience, and let His peace fill your heart. In doing so, you are participating in a divine process that not only shapes your future but also deepens your faith and your understanding of God’s love.
God’s desire is not for us to live in fear or anxiety about our dreams. His desire is for us to be secure, hopeful, and at peace.
As you continue to trust Him with your heart’s desires, remember that the greatest fulfillment comes not just from achieving a goal, but from knowing the One who holds your life, your dreams, and your very soul in His hands.
Let’s Stay Connected 💛
If this reflection spoke to your heart, I’d love to stay connected with you. Subscribe to Faithfully Yani for weekly encouragement, gentle guidance, and faith-filled reflections straight to your inbox.
By subscribing, you’ll receive:
- Inspiring devotionals and reflections to nourish your soul
- Practical tips for trusting God in every season of life
- Exclusive updates and resources to grow in faith and peace
Simply enter your email below and join a community of women seeking to live intentionally, rest deeply, and trust God fully.
Faithfully,
Yani 💛

Leave a Reply