This post was originally published on Substack on February 20, 2025. I’m sharing it here for my blog readers who may have missed it.
When your dreams die, life feels empty.
Not in a dramatic, everything-is-falling-apart kind of way—
but in the quiet sense that something once alive inside you has faded.
Maybe you used to imagine a different kind of life—
one where you pursued a passion,
started something new,
or followed a calling that stirred your soul.
But then life happened.
Responsibilities piled up.
You became who others needed you to be.
And somewhere along the way, those dreams slipped quietly into the background.
At first, you told yourself you’d come back to them one day. But days turned into years, and now? You wonder if those dreams were ever meant for you at all.
Maybe you’ve even started to ask:
What do you do when your dreams die?
Or feel like they’ve faded so far into the past, you’re not sure they were ever real to begin with.
Maybe you’ve even told yourself:
- That was just a younger version of me. I’ve moved on.
- It’s too late now—I missed my chance.
- I should be grateful for what I have instead of longing for something more..
And yet…something inside you still aches for the dreams you laid down.
But here’s what I want you to know…
Your dreams aren’t dead. They may be buried, waiting, or even reshaped by time—but they are not gone.
What If Your Dreams Weren’t Lost—Just Waiting?
It’s easy to believe that a dream delayed is a dream denied. That if it didn’t happen when or how you thought it would, then it was never meant to be.
But what if God has simply been holding that dream for you—waiting for the right season?
I know what it’s like to feel like you’ve missed your moment. I spent years pouring myself into my family, my responsibilities, and everything I thought I should be doing. But deep down, there was always a dream I couldn’t shake—the dream of creating something meaningful, something that mattered.
For a long time, I believed that since I had walked away from my dreams before, I had lost the right to pick them up again. That I had somehow disqualified myself.
But then I realized something: God doesn’t revoke the callings He places on our lives.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29
The things that once set your soul on fire? They mattered then, and they still matter now.
When Your Dreams Die: How to Rekindle the Dreams You Thought Were Gone
So how do you begin to reconnect with the dreams that once meant so much to you?
This isn’t about forcing something to happen or chasing after a version of your past that no longer fits.
This is about giving yourself permission to explore, to wonder, and to believe that God isn’t finished with you yet.
Here are three simple but powerful ways to begin that journey:
1. Remember the Dreams You Once Had
Think back to the dreams and desires that once lit you up.
- What excited you when you were younger?
- What passions did you set aside because life got in the way?
- What would you pursue if nothing was standing in your way?
The first step isn’t about making a plan—it’s about remembering what used to make you feel alive.
2. Rewrite the Story You’ve Told Yourself
So often, we assume that if a dream didn’t happen the way we expected, it must not have been meant for us. But what if that’s not true?
- Have you told yourself it’s too late to dream again?
- Have you dismissed past passions as just a phase?
- What if those dreams weren’t lost—just waiting for the right season?
The way you frame your story matters. God’s timing is not your timing. What felt like an ending may have only been a pause.
3. Take One Step—Without Pressure
Instead of feeling like you have to dive headfirst into something big, start small.
- Could you rekindle an old passion in a way that fits your life today?
- Could you start learning about or practicing something that used to excite you?
- What would happen if you gave yourself permission to dream again?
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s movement. A small step of faith can open doors you never expected.
Where to Go From Here
Rekindling your dreams isn’t about going back—it’s about stepping forward. It’s about recognizing that just because you set something down doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19
Your dreams don’t have an expiration date. God is always in the business of redemption, restoration, and renewal.
So take a breath, take a step, and trust that what He placed inside of you still matters.
With love and belief in you,
