The Dreamkillers Around You and How to Overcome Them
✨ Introduction
Every person is born with a God-given dream — a purpose divinely planted in their heart designed not only to fulfill their life but to impact others and glorify God. Dreams give direction, passion, and meaning to life. Yet, as we pursue those dreams, there are obstacles along the way, and often, the greatest hindrance comes from people closest to us. They may not intend to kill our dreams, but their words, attitudes, or actions can suffocate our faith and passion.
In this article, we will expose the common “dreamkillers” around us, see what the Bible says about them, and learn how to overcome them to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.
📊 Who Are the Dreamkillers? (Ranked)
Let’s rank the most common dreamkillers based on emotional proximity and influence over a person’s decision-making and identity.
1️⃣ Parents
Parents are our first authority figures and the earliest shapers of our worldview and self-worth. Words spoken by parents can leave lasting impressions — whether positive or negative. A parent’s discouragement can linger in the mind long after childhood.
Example:
Some children grow up being told, “You’ll never amount to anything,” or “That’s impossible for someone like you.” Even as adults, these words echo in their minds whenever they attempt something bold.
📖 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” — Proverbs 18:21
2️⃣ Spouse (Wife/Husband)
A spouse holds a position of intimate influence in one’s life. Their opinion can either fuel courage or crush a dream instantly. Because marriage involves shared goals and finances, a spouse’s resistance or indifference to a dream can feel like a personal rejection.
Example:
A husband feels called to start a ministry but his wife fears financial instability. Her constant discouragement slowly chips away at his confidence.
3️⃣ Friends
Friends shape our sense of belonging. Because we naturally seek acceptance from our peers, a friend’s lack of support, teasing, or outright ridicule can be a powerful dreamkiller.
Example:
Young Joseph in the Bible shared his God-given dream of leadership with his brothers (who should have been his friends). Instead, they envied and plotted against him.
📖 “And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.” — Genesis 37:19
4️⃣ Business Colleagues
In the workplace or among professional circles, pursuing an unconventional or faith-driven dream may attract skepticism. Colleagues conditioned by routine and fear of risk often discourage new ideas.
Example:
Someone who wants to resign from a secure corporate job to follow a ministry calling may hear, “That’s career suicide.”
5️⃣ Enemies
Enemies openly oppose us. While their negative words can hurt, their lack of intimacy or authority makes them less effective at killing dreams. In many cases, opposition from enemies strengthens a person’s resolve.
Example:
Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls in the face of enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, who mocked and threatened him. But Nehemiah stayed focused.
📖 “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3
6️⃣ Children
While parenting brings responsibilities that can delay certain dreams, children typically don’t intentionally kill dreams. In fact, many parents find new inspiration because of their children.
🔥 Why Do Dreamkillers Have So Much Power?
The greatest dreamkillers are those whose opinions we value most and whose approval we subconsciously seek. The more emotionally invested we are in a person’s opinion, the more we allow their words to either nurture or stifle our vision.
📖 Biblical Example: Joseph
Joseph dreamed of greatness, but his brothers envied him and sought to destroy both him and his dreams.
📖 “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” — Genesis 37:4
Yet Joseph remained faithful to God, and his dream came true despite betrayal, slavery, and prison. This proves that no person’s disapproval can stop a God-ordained destiny.
💪 How to Overcome Dreamkillers
1️⃣ Guard Your Heart
Protect your mind and emotions from negativity and doubt.
📖 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” — Proverbs 4:23
2️⃣ Surround Yourself with Faith-Builders
Find mentors, spiritual leaders, and friends who believe in your calling and will uplift you in prayer and encouragement.
📖 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17
3️⃣ Stay Anchored in God’s Word
When God gives a dream, He will also equip and strengthen you to fulfill it. Rely on His promises more than people’s opinions.
📖 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” — Luke 1:37
4️⃣ Pray for Wisdom and Discernment
Seek God’s guidance on when to heed advice and when to respectfully reject discouragement.
📖 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally… and it shall be given him.” — James 1:5
5️⃣ Turn Criticism into Motivation
Opposition can sharpen your focus. Let criticism remind you of your “why” and strengthen your commitment.
📖 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.” — Acts 20:24
✨ Conclusion
Dreamkillers are inevitable, but their power over your life is not. The key to overcoming them is to be more convinced of God’s calling than of people’s doubts. Recognize where the negativity is coming from, guard your heart, stay anchored in the Word, and surround yourself with people of faith.
Remember, if God planted a dream in your heart, no parent, spouse, friend, or enemy can cancel it — unless you allow them to. Like Joseph, keep dreaming, keep believing, and trust that God will bring your vision to pass in His perfect time.
📖 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6
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