Not Making the Dream an Idol: A Reflection on Patience and Spiritual growth

Shakila Barry
5 days ago
6 min read

This isn’t about giving up on dreams—it’s about loosening your grip so your joy isn’t held hostage by what hasn’t arrived yet.

A symbolic illustration of a solitary figure with flowing garments reaching out towards unseen gusts of wind, rendered in a painterly style with soft, ethereal colors and a sense of movement. The composition is a wide shot, emphasizing the vastness of the open sky and the ephemeral nature of the pursuit.

There are some things I am believing God for—and if I’m honest, the waiting isn’t easy for me.

Actually… it’s more than not easy.

Oftentimes, I’m impatient.

I joke that if life came with assigned themes, mine would absolutely be patience. Which feels ironic, considering I can sit for hours placing hundreds of thousands of rhinestones—one tiny stone at a time—on my projects. Apparently, my hands have learned patience far better than my heart.

Sparkle Bestie, you may notice this becoming a recurring theme throughout my writing. It’s a lesson I’m actively living, not one I’ve mastered.

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When Yesterday Follows You Into Today

When I woke up this morning, instead of greeting the new day, I was still holding onto yesterday’s irritation. It lingered heavier than I expected. I knew I needed to shift my thoughts—toward something lighter—but I struggled. I couldn’t find the words. I couldn’t even find a new thought.

And then, grace met me.

A song rose up in my spirit: “It’s Gon Be Nice” by Yolanda Adams. Before I knew it, I was singing out loud:

Whatever’s in store for me, it’s gon’ be nice.

It’s crazy right now, Lord, but that’s when You shine.

I can’t stop shouting, Lord, ’cause it’s gon’ be nice.

That song became my breakthrough. Not everything changed—but something did.

My shoulders dropped. My spirit softened. I could breathe again.

Worn Out Waiting, Yet Still Hoping

Still, I knew I needed more. So I opened my Bible and landed in Psalm 119. The opening lines stopped me immediately:

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord…Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.(Psalm 119:1–2)

Joy.

That word felt confrontational in the gentlest way.

Because if I was being honest, joy had felt distant. Yesterday was rough. And even now, frustration was still knocking.

A vibrant, abstract symbolic illustration celebrating pure joy, using bright, uplifting colors like golden yellow and sky blue, with flowing lines and dynamic shapes that convey a sense of elation and freedom. The style is ethereal and energetic, with a focus on radiating light and organic forms.

As I kept reading, more lines stood out:

Make me walk along the path of Your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.(Psalm 119:35)

And then:

I am worn out waiting for Your rescue, but I have put my hope in Your word.My eyes strain to see Your promises come true.(Psalm 119:81–82)

That line—worn out waiting—felt like it was written just for me.

Because yes, sometimes I feel worn. I wonder if what I’m believing for will ever come to pass. I get frustrated by how long it seems to be taking.

But sitting with that verse, I realized something uncomfortable:

I may be placing too much weight on the thing I’m waiting for.

So much so, that its absence is robbing me of present joy.

A symbolic illustration depicting a person gazing upwards, reaching towards a luminous, ethereal vision or dream suspended in the sky. The style is painterly, with soft, blended colors like twilight blues, warm oranges, and golden highlights, emphasizing a sense of aspiration and wonder. The composition focuses on the silhouette of the figure against the vast, starry expanse, evoking a feeling of hope and the pursuit of the unattainable.

When Desire Quietly Becomes an Idol

That realization led me to Ecclesiastes—specifically the phrase “chasing the wind.”

“I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.”(Ecclesiastes 1:14)

How often do we exhaust ourselves pursuing something, convinced it will finally satisfy us—only to discover the thrill fades, and we’re already reaching for the next thing?

Ecclesiastes can feel heavy, even daunting, with its repeated use of the word meaningless. But the message isn’t that life has no value.

It’s that everything apart from God is temporary—here one moment, gone the next, like a breath.

Relationships, careers, status, recognition, possessions—none of them offer lasting fulfillment. I’ve noticed that even the things I once prayed desperately for eventually lost their shine.

What I sense God gently reminding me is this:

True fulfillment doesn’t come from grasping harder.

It comes from centering my life on Him.

Silhouette of a person walking toward bright light, surrounded by dramatic golden and dark clouds, conveying a serene, hopeful mood.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…”(Matthew 6:33)

Everything else is fleeting. A mist. A breath. The wind.

So why work myself into anxiety over something I know cannot fully satisfy?

Not Making the Dream an Idol: Patience and Spiritual Growth

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I’m learning that real fulfillment is found in meaningful connection, in gratitude, and in honoring the present moment. Everything I have right now was once an answered prayer. How could I not trust that God will continue to be faithful?

I don’t want to miss what He’s doing now because I’m fixated on what’s not here yet.

The things I lack should never overshadow the goodness right in front of me.

Putting God at the center—again and again—is where peace, joy, and true fulfillment are found.

Not in chasing the wind.

But in learning to wait.

A serene, symbolic illustration depicting the essence of learning to wait. The artwork could feature a solitary figure patiently observing a seed sprouting, or perhaps a still body of water reflecting a slowly rising sun. Soft, muted colors like gentle blues, greens, and pale yellows would evoke a sense of calm and anticipation. The style could be minimalist or painterly, with a focus on quiet introspection and the passage of time. A close-up framing could emphasize the subtle details of growth and patience.

Reflection Questions:

Take a moment to sit with these, Sparkle Bestie:

What am I currently waiting on—and how is that waiting affecting my peace and joy?
Have I placed expectations on something or someone that only God can fulfill?
What would it look like to fully honor God in this present moment, rather than rushing toward what’s next?

Let's Pray About It

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for meeting us in the secret place,

for gently nudging our hearts back toward You

when they begin to wander.

Thank You for Your loving correction,

for the way You parent our spirits with patience, grace, and truth.

We are grateful that You do not condemn us,

but instead invite us to pause, reflect, and ask the right questions.

You lovingly realign us with what truly matters,

reminding us that the only sure foundation we have is You.

Thank You for teaching us that real fulfillment is found in You,

in gratitude, in presence, and in honoring the moment we are standing in.

Help us remember that this present moment is a gift.

And in this moment we can have joy.

As we pursue the dreams You have placed in our hearts,

help us to always honor You in the process.

Let nothing we desire ever take Your place.

Because of You, we have these dreams.

And because of You, they are possible.

Guard our hearts from idolatry,

and keep our eyes fixed on You above all else.

Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy,

and Your unending loving-kindness.

In Jesus’ matchless name,

Amen.

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A Final Note from My Heart

Sparkle Bestie—these moments in the secret place feel a lot like turning my heart inside out. I sit with God, searching out the things that no longer serve me, and then pour what I’m learning into these words. Writing this has been a comfort to my spirit, and I truly hope reading it brings a sense of peace and encouragement to yours.

As I continue this journey, I’m learning that not making the dream an idol is deeply connected to patience and spiritual growth. Waiting has a way of revealing what my heart is clinging to, and I’m realizing that when a dream begins to steal my peace, it’s an invitation to loosen my grip. True spiritual growth isn’t found in rushing the process or obsessing over outcomes, but in trusting God enough to remain present, grateful, and grounded while the dream unfolds in His timing.

My journey with God is far from perfect. I know I still have so much growing to do. But I’m deeply grateful that I’m learning to recognize His presence more clearly, to feel Him nearer as we grow closer—and that alone brings me comfort.

I pray the same for you.

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May His Word continue to be a light unto your path, guiding you gently, even in seasons of waiting. And may you never lose sight of the beauty unfolding right where you are.

That’s all for now! And of course, I can’t leave without sharing the song—because apparently I’m a DJ with a full playlist living in my spirit. lol

TTYL.

Sending you love and sparkle

Shakila B.✨

P.S. If this post left even a little something in your spirit, I’d love to hear about it—drop a comment below. 🤍 Come hang out with me on socials @thesparklecompanychicago, and if this encouraged you, share it with someone you love who might need a little sparkle today. Enjoy the present moment and remember, what God has in store for you:

It's Gon Be Nice :-)

Song of the Moment: “It’s Gon Be Nice” – Yolanda Adams

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