Encouraging Dreams

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

—1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Dad, when I grow up, I want to climb the tallest mountains in the world. I want to be a mountain climber.”

“Dan, that’s a lofty ambition.”

“I can do it.”

“Well, I think you should find something you can do while climbing mountains that people will pay you for, because not many people pay someone to hike up a mountain.”

Encouraged and challenged by his father’s words, Dan began to think about what his career might look like. He climbed the hills around his town, and one day he realized he could carry a camera around his neck, strap it in place and take photos of all the places he’d climbed.

As a young man, Dan earned a college degree in photography, specializing in time-lapse photography. He also continued climbing mountains and connected with other climbing enthusiasts. After landing a job with a company that liked his photos, he was published in adventure magazines and movies. And in 1963 Daniel Doody was the cinematographer for the first American team to summit Mount Everest. He climbed the tallest mountain in the world.

Our words make a difference. They can encourage dreams or dash them. When someone shares a dream, it can be easy to dash them for the sake of being realistic or offering practical advice. But Scripture is clear that we are to encourage and build up those around us.

Words have a strong power. Let’s wield them wisely.

Today’s One Thing

Ask a friend to tell you about their dream. Share with them words of hope and encouragement as they pursue it.

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