You don’t determine a person’s greatness by their talent, wealth, or education. You determine a person’s greatness by what it takes to discourage them.

So what does it take to discourage you from going after your dream? It may be as simple as a friend or family member telling you, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The Bible says in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV).

You want to know how many times I’ve wanted to resign from Saddleback Church? Just every Monday morning when I think, “God, surely somebody could have done a better job than I did yesterday. This thing is too big for any one person.”

God says, “Just keep on keeping on.” I may not be very bright sometimes, but I don’t know how to quit—I don’t know how to give up.

God works in your life according to your faith. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) and “Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin” (Romans 14:23 GNV) and “According to your faith . . . it will be done to you” (Matthew 9:29 AMP).

So what are you doing in faith? You need to ask every day when you get up, “God, what can I do today that will require faith?” Spending your day listening for and obeying God’s answer to that question, and your life will be pleasing to him.

There are a lot of things in your life you don’t have control over. You can’t control who your parents are, when you were born, or what your race or nationality is. You can’t control what gifts and talents you were given.

But you do have complete control over how much you choose to believe God.

God uses people who expect him to act, who never give up, who take risks in faith—who get his dream and go after it. It’s your choice whether you want to be the kind of person God uses to accomplish his purpose.