Beware of ‘Helpful Dream Kills’
October 3, 2018
In 2003, after some failed attempts to gain university admission in Nigeria, an elderly woman I respected so much looked at me and said, “Samuel, maybe you are not a university-material. Perhaps you consider applying to other institutions”.
She’d seen me suffer trying to get that admission and wanted to console me with those words. But they pierced me deeply. I remember crying till dawn! Thank God I didn’t listen to her.
Beloved, be wary of “helpful dream killers”. People who genuinely love you so much they discourage you from your dreams because they actually care.
They think they are helping you and caring for you. They don’t want you to get hurt. They rebuke you as soon as you tell them about your dream.
Remember when Joseph told his father his dreams (Genesis 37:10), his father said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”
Like the father of Joseph, they will remind you of the reality of your dream and tell you it’s only a dream; tell you it does not make any sense. They will even do the mathematics for you and discourage you from dreaming if you are not careful.
They are aware of the risk and hurt. They genuinely are protecting you from pains and disappointments.
They are aware it would take a long time to achieve your dreams but they love you too much to watch you suffer long and persevere.
They prefer you join status quo, be like them, stay average and continue in the rat race. They don’t mean evil. They just love you too much.
Can I advise you? Politely run away from them. Stop telling them about your dreams. Stop telling them about your goals. Stop telling them about what you want to achieve. Stop sharing your failures and pains with them. They will never understand.
If you have allowed people like this to kill your dreams before now, now is the time to take back your dreams.
The good news is, dreams can be restarted and rebirthed! No matter how old you are or your present circumstance, you can still jumpstart your dream! Pursue your dreams! Choose to die fulfilled! Begin to explore the possibilities of your dreams!
I believe in you.
– Dr Samuel Ekundayo
Looking at my life today, some might assume I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth. They see the progress, the platforms, the opportunities, the impact—and they conclude, “He must have had it all figured out from the start.” But here’s the truth... I wasn’t born with a golden spoon. In fact, I wasn’t even born with a spoon at all. The circumstances surrounding my birth were far from rosy. My beginning was rough, humble, and almost forgettable by the standards of this world. There was nothing to suggest that I would one day stand where I stand today, speak as I speak today, or do what I do today. But I was helped. I was helped by God. That’s the only reason I’ve come this far. And that, dear friend, is why I’m writing this—to remind you that it doesn’t matter where or how you were born . Your background, no matter how limiting or disadvantaged, cannot stop God’s plan for your life. You may not have had the best education. You may have been born into poverty. You may have been rejected, neglected, abandoned or overlooked. But when God steps into your life , He rewrites the story. He is not intimidated by your limitations. In fact, He specializes in using the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He lifts the poor from the dust and sets them among princes (Psalm 113:7-8). You don’t need a silver spoon, golden spoon, or any spoon at all. All you need is His help . My life is a testament to this truth: God still helps men. He still lifts. He still promotes. He still turns nobodies into wonders. And I believe the same will happen for you. If you will let Him, If you will trust Him, If you will surrender your life to Him… You will become a miracle. You will become a wonder. Your story will be one that generations will talk about. So here’s my charge to you: Stop disqualifying yourself based on your background. Stop underestimating what God can do through you. Stop comparing your journey with someone else’s. Instead, start seeking God’s help. Start walking in faith. Start declaring His promises over your life. Because your story—yes, YOUR story—is not over yet. In fact, it’s just beginning. You are next in line for a miracle. I believe in you!
How to Wait on God