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This Dream Is Not for You: Learn to Live by Letting Go
Believe it or not, the dreams we have for our lives are dangerous. Here, speaker and Bible teacher Wade Joye encourages us to let go of our dreams, surrender our lives to God, and truly live.
“Follow your dreams” is the self-help message of our day. In our schools and universities, media, and culture, and even in church, we are taught to dream big, work hard, and find true happiness in living our dreams. And so we spend our lives chasing.
But as we chase our dreams, we can be met with exhaustion, anxiety, and disappointment. Our circumstances may put our dreams in jeopardy, or even deny them—and we’re heartbroken. Or we achieve them and just want more.
Wade Joye offers here a different way. Release your grip on your dreams and trust God with your whole life.
Joye shows that by letting go we are freed from the pressure to secure some ideal, unattainable life, and instead become open to God and his plans. Living a life of daily surrender to God’s purpose we begin to see glimpses of God in our present circumstance, as he shows us that he, more than anyone, can be trusted.
With deep wisdom, frank teaching, and a pastor’s heart, Wade guides readers step-by-step to the place of letting go, the place where we find real life.
“Follow your dreams” is the self-help message of our day. In our schools and universities, media, and culture, and even in church, we are taught to dream big, work hard, and find true happiness in living our dreams. And so we spend our lives chasing.
But as we chase our dreams, we can be met with exhaustion, anxiety, and disappointment. Our circumstances may put our dreams in jeopardy, or even deny them—and we’re heartbroken. Or we achieve them and just want more.
Wade Joye offers here a different way. Release your grip on your dreams and trust God with your whole life.
Joye shows that by letting go we are freed from the pressure to secure some ideal, unattainable life, and instead become open to God and his plans. Living a life of daily surrender to God’s purpose we begin to see glimpses of God in our present circumstance, as he shows us that he, more than anyone, can be trusted.
With deep wisdom, frank teaching, and a pastor’s heart, Wade guides readers step-by-step to the place of letting go, the place where we find real life.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 12, 2023
11 people are currently reading
1633 people want to read
About the author
Wade Joye
1 book7 followersWade Joye is a speaker, Bible teacher, ministry coach, and host of the Dreamers & Disciples podcast. Prior to beginning his current ministry, he was the worship pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, for fourteen years. During that time, Wade not only led worship on the main stage but he also wrote and recorded original worship songs, preached, and toured. Wade and his wife, Ferris, have three daughters they adore, and are learning to navigate family, ministry, and faith as they raise children with special needs.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 14, 2025
so humbling but in the way possible. i recommend.
September 23, 2023
In This Dream is Not for You, Wade Joyce has written a book to help readers to release the grip on their dreams and to learn to trust God. He divided the book into different section: redefine your dream, release your grip, reclaim your purpose, and run your race. He begins the book by explaining how his personal dream died. He told his wife and three daughters goodbye and went to church at Elevation Church on a Tuesday morning. He made the call that this was the end. He felt God tell him that this dream wasn’t for him any longer. For as long as he can remember, he wanted to be a worship leader. He recalls praying a prayer that listeners would sing a worship song that he has written for God. He shared how he met Steven Furtick and became a worship leader at his church. He did it for about 14 years when Steven pulled him aside and shared how he felt God had more in store for him and that he was also called to become a pastor. He shared how he at first fought the calling and he was confused and hurt. He was being instructed by God to learn to give up something.
He also opened up about how excited they were when they discovered that they were expecting twins. At 27 weeks, his wife had both baby girls and this was three months early. This led to one of the twins, Liana being diagnosed with a grade 4 brain bleed. The doctors didn’t give her a real chance at a normal life. They didn’t believe that she would be able to walk or talk. They referred to as a vegetable state. Steven told them to face the facts but to only speak in faith. They believed that God would heal their daughter. After three long months, both twins were able to come home and they had four surgeries between the two of them. Liana dealt with some weakness but was able to become a miracle and she is able to walk and talk. They did end up having another baby girl and they even got to hold her when they first had her which was different from the first delivery. The only thing is her intestines ruptured and she was later diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The average life span now is age 40 with people living with this condition and most have to receive lung transplants. He shared what he felt in going through all of that and it was extremely difficult to have another baby after the complications with the twins. He compared this to dreams and being learning to face the facts even when we are so unsure of the future. He even explored the story of David and how he dealt with feeling abandoned by God and hitting rock bottom.
One of my favorite topics was about noticing your narrative. We can look at our past and ask ourselves who we are and the story we are telling ourselves daily. He explored the story of David and how David saw himself and how God saw him and how his dream for David isn’t just limited to him only. God wanted to build a house through David. He explained how God wants to use us for His glory and purpose. He described the term callings and many of us have misunderstood the term. He shared how we are called to salvation through Christ, called to be in a relationship with Him, called to holiness, called to love others, and much more. He shared how many times when people from the Bible was called or anointed to complete something their assignment was always something they wouldn’t have believe for themselves. David’s sole purpose wasn’t just to rebuilt a temple. He was called to do the work of the Lord. At the end of the chapter, he stated what he thought about his purpose, calling, and dreams and how he realized we can change our own narrative and get more in line with the Word of God.
I would recommend this awesome book about your dreams and how we can learn to surrender our lives to God’s purpose for our lives. I connected with how open he was in sharing how his dreams had to change when his girls weren’t at first what they planned for. They didn’t plan for all of that difficult thing to occur to his family. He was very real in explaining how they dealt with the changes and they rolled through the challenges. I also liked how he revealed how he stepped down as a worship leader and became a pastor and went after what God was instructing him to do. I loved how each chapter contained a pivot practice to put the chapters contains into play and to dive into the material. One of my favorites was remembering God’s faithfulness and how we can refuel our faith by remembering all He has done for us before. This is one of my top books on dreams, callings, and purpose. His writing style was inspiring and reading the wisdom presented throughout the book will change lives.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
He also opened up about how excited they were when they discovered that they were expecting twins. At 27 weeks, his wife had both baby girls and this was three months early. This led to one of the twins, Liana being diagnosed with a grade 4 brain bleed. The doctors didn’t give her a real chance at a normal life. They didn’t believe that she would be able to walk or talk. They referred to as a vegetable state. Steven told them to face the facts but to only speak in faith. They believed that God would heal their daughter. After three long months, both twins were able to come home and they had four surgeries between the two of them. Liana dealt with some weakness but was able to become a miracle and she is able to walk and talk. They did end up having another baby girl and they even got to hold her when they first had her which was different from the first delivery. The only thing is her intestines ruptured and she was later diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. The average life span now is age 40 with people living with this condition and most have to receive lung transplants. He shared what he felt in going through all of that and it was extremely difficult to have another baby after the complications with the twins. He compared this to dreams and being learning to face the facts even when we are so unsure of the future. He even explored the story of David and how he dealt with feeling abandoned by God and hitting rock bottom.
One of my favorite topics was about noticing your narrative. We can look at our past and ask ourselves who we are and the story we are telling ourselves daily. He explored the story of David and how David saw himself and how God saw him and how his dream for David isn’t just limited to him only. God wanted to build a house through David. He explained how God wants to use us for His glory and purpose. He described the term callings and many of us have misunderstood the term. He shared how we are called to salvation through Christ, called to be in a relationship with Him, called to holiness, called to love others, and much more. He shared how many times when people from the Bible was called or anointed to complete something their assignment was always something they wouldn’t have believe for themselves. David’s sole purpose wasn’t just to rebuilt a temple. He was called to do the work of the Lord. At the end of the chapter, he stated what he thought about his purpose, calling, and dreams and how he realized we can change our own narrative and get more in line with the Word of God.
I would recommend this awesome book about your dreams and how we can learn to surrender our lives to God’s purpose for our lives. I connected with how open he was in sharing how his dreams had to change when his girls weren’t at first what they planned for. They didn’t plan for all of that difficult thing to occur to his family. He was very real in explaining how they dealt with the changes and they rolled through the challenges. I also liked how he revealed how he stepped down as a worship leader and became a pastor and went after what God was instructing him to do. I loved how each chapter contained a pivot practice to put the chapters contains into play and to dive into the material. One of my favorites was remembering God’s faithfulness and how we can refuel our faith by remembering all He has done for us before. This is one of my top books on dreams, callings, and purpose. His writing style was inspiring and reading the wisdom presented throughout the book will change lives.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
August 28, 2023
“This Dream Is Not For You” is a thought-provoking religious book penned by the esteemed author, Wade Joye. With his expertise as a captivating speaker, insightful Bible teacher, and accomplished ministry coach, Wade Joye enlightens readers through his powerful words. Additionally, don’t miss out on his engaging Dreamers and Disciples podcast, where he shares valuable insights and inspiration. Allow yourself to embark on a transformative journey by delving into the pages of this remarkable literary work.
“This Dream Is Not For You” is a powerful and enlightening book that offers profound insights and unwavering encouragement to those facing the challenges of unfulfilled dreams or setbacks. With a passionate desire to empower the reader, the author fearlessly dives into the depths of this subject matter, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration for overcoming obstacles and embracing a brighter future.
“This Dream Is Not For You is intelligently structured into four powerful parts that will revolutionize the way you perceive your dreams. Part one will effortlessly guide you through the process of redefining your dream. In part two, you will bravely release your grip on obstacles that hinder you. As you dive into part three, be prepared to reclaim your purpose. And finally, in part four, you will run the race. This transformative masterpiece will not only reinvigorate your expectations but leave an indelible mark on your journey with the Lord. With its profound insights and invaluable guidance, it is without a doubt that I wholeheartedly bestow This Dream Is Not For You with an exultant 5-star rating.”
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher. This in no way affects my review. All thoughts are my own.
“This Dream Is Not For You” is a powerful and enlightening book that offers profound insights and unwavering encouragement to those facing the challenges of unfulfilled dreams or setbacks. With a passionate desire to empower the reader, the author fearlessly dives into the depths of this subject matter, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration for overcoming obstacles and embracing a brighter future.
“This Dream Is Not For You is intelligently structured into four powerful parts that will revolutionize the way you perceive your dreams. Part one will effortlessly guide you through the process of redefining your dream. In part two, you will bravely release your grip on obstacles that hinder you. As you dive into part three, be prepared to reclaim your purpose. And finally, in part four, you will run the race. This transformative masterpiece will not only reinvigorate your expectations but leave an indelible mark on your journey with the Lord. With its profound insights and invaluable guidance, it is without a doubt that I wholeheartedly bestow This Dream Is Not For You with an exultant 5-star rating.”
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher. This in no way affects my review. All thoughts are my own.
September 4, 2023
"Follow your dreams” is a common saying. But what happens when your dream doesn’t come true?
This is the premise of This Dream Is Not for You by Wade Joye.
Have you ever known that feeling? Ever pursued a dream, assuming it would work out, and it didn’t?
Here’s a bit more from the inside jacket of This Dream Is Not for You:
“In our schools and universities, media and culture, and even in church, we are taught to dream big, work hard, and find true happiness in living our dreams. And so we spend our lives chasing. But as we chase our dreams, we can be met with exhaustion, anxiety, and disappointment. Our circumstances may put our dreams in jeopardy, or even shatter them – and we’re heartbroken.”
Joye brings his perspective on what some churches or Christians will say is a “calling.” If you’ve spent a lot of time in a tradition that uses this word to describe a paid career, you may find his perspective to be a breath of fresh air. Or, maybe even a surprise.
I like the word discernment, which I believe only appears once in this book. And, if you’re trying to discern if you should keep pursuing a dream or a goal – or if you should wait it out – unfortunately, this book doesn’t really speak to that. This book speaks more to the overall fit of how dreams fit into a Christian’s life. And, while Joye doesn’t have any easy answers, his overall conclusion is that if dreams are given to Christ, there can be a lot of pleasant surprises on the other side.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the premise of This Dream Is Not for You by Wade Joye.
Have you ever known that feeling? Ever pursued a dream, assuming it would work out, and it didn’t?
Here’s a bit more from the inside jacket of This Dream Is Not for You:
“In our schools and universities, media and culture, and even in church, we are taught to dream big, work hard, and find true happiness in living our dreams. And so we spend our lives chasing. But as we chase our dreams, we can be met with exhaustion, anxiety, and disappointment. Our circumstances may put our dreams in jeopardy, or even shatter them – and we’re heartbroken.”
Joye brings his perspective on what some churches or Christians will say is a “calling.” If you’ve spent a lot of time in a tradition that uses this word to describe a paid career, you may find his perspective to be a breath of fresh air. Or, maybe even a surprise.
I like the word discernment, which I believe only appears once in this book. And, if you’re trying to discern if you should keep pursuing a dream or a goal – or if you should wait it out – unfortunately, this book doesn’t really speak to that. This book speaks more to the overall fit of how dreams fit into a Christian’s life. And, while Joye doesn’t have any easy answers, his overall conclusion is that if dreams are given to Christ, there can be a lot of pleasant surprises on the other side.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 12, 2024
In a world where we are encouraged to follow our dreams and passions, “This Dream is Not for You” is a frightening title to willingly pick up. Really, who wants to be told no? Not I! So, with much trepidation, I cracked it open and bravely dove in … and found multitudes of joy, peace, and hope!
Wade Joye bears his heart and his wisdom in a way that makes you feel like you’ve invited him in your home and are chatting over a cup of coffee. And although he speaks with kindness, he also speaks with clear authority of a life lived digging into the Word of God.
This is not a fluffy self-help book. Wade gives you meat in a world of sugar. Paired with personal experience and Biblical truth for your life, Wade encourages you to walk through the disappointments and unmet dreams in your life and come out the other side confident that God’s plan for you is much, much better than your personal dream.
Wade provides thought provoking calls to action at the end of chapters for you to dig deeper into your own self examination, which I absolutely love. It encourages you, the reader, to move away from passively reading to actively applying these principles.
“This Dream Is Not for You” is thought provoking and a book that should be not read just once but reread throughout your life. I know I will. I encourage you to pick up this book and receive the wisdom and hope that is within its pages. Be brave!
Wade Joye bears his heart and his wisdom in a way that makes you feel like you’ve invited him in your home and are chatting over a cup of coffee. And although he speaks with kindness, he also speaks with clear authority of a life lived digging into the Word of God.
This is not a fluffy self-help book. Wade gives you meat in a world of sugar. Paired with personal experience and Biblical truth for your life, Wade encourages you to walk through the disappointments and unmet dreams in your life and come out the other side confident that God’s plan for you is much, much better than your personal dream.
Wade provides thought provoking calls to action at the end of chapters for you to dig deeper into your own self examination, which I absolutely love. It encourages you, the reader, to move away from passively reading to actively applying these principles.
“This Dream Is Not for You” is thought provoking and a book that should be not read just once but reread throughout your life. I know I will. I encourage you to pick up this book and receive the wisdom and hope that is within its pages. Be brave!
September 12, 2023
Do yourself a favor and get this book
We all have dreams. For careers, for family, for finances, for relationships. Have you ever looked at those dreams and wondered “Is this what I’m meant for?” or “Is this what God has planned for me?”? Have you ever been disappointed in how things have turned out? Do you struggle with comparing your life to someone else’s, perhaps on social media? In this book, Wade walks through how to look at your dreams through a healthy and realistic process: How to redefine them, how to release your grip on them, how to reclaim your purpose and how to run your race. Through these pages, you can gain insight into yourself and look at the dreams you have to help determine what it is God is using you for now. You can also look back and see how God has used you in the past for His kingdom. You’ll learn how to face your dreams (or disappointment) head on, and get tools to practically apply to your life to help encourage you, to help you be content, and to help you dream big dreams again. The wisdom on these pages is well worth the price. Get it today. You won’t be disappointed!
We all have dreams. For careers, for family, for finances, for relationships. Have you ever looked at those dreams and wondered “Is this what I’m meant for?” or “Is this what God has planned for me?”? Have you ever been disappointed in how things have turned out? Do you struggle with comparing your life to someone else’s, perhaps on social media? In this book, Wade walks through how to look at your dreams through a healthy and realistic process: How to redefine them, how to release your grip on them, how to reclaim your purpose and how to run your race. Through these pages, you can gain insight into yourself and look at the dreams you have to help determine what it is God is using you for now. You can also look back and see how God has used you in the past for His kingdom. You’ll learn how to face your dreams (or disappointment) head on, and get tools to practically apply to your life to help encourage you, to help you be content, and to help you dream big dreams again. The wisdom on these pages is well worth the price. Get it today. You won’t be disappointed!
September 20, 2023
Wade Joye's book looks at Christians holding on to their dreams when it is not God's will to have that dream full-time, or his will to move the person on to something else.
This was an interesting look at dreams without a ton of in-depth philosophy that could have been used on the topic. Musicians can relate to Joye's feelings and examples, as opposed to a musician writing a normal Christian book. The tales he gives about the desire for playing and performing to crowds that may not be as accepted as he thought, to trying to convince God to provide for his dream, is something all of us musicians have dealt with (me being a drummer) in the church setting. The writer is down-to-earth and honest in telling his struggles and brings out some good points on the subject with an easy-to-read flow of the pages. The chapters could be read one at a time, or in multiple settings, along with a section at the end of most of the chapters to reflect on and give the reader extra thinking points, titled "Pivot Points."
For an in-depth review, visit my page at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...
This was an interesting look at dreams without a ton of in-depth philosophy that could have been used on the topic. Musicians can relate to Joye's feelings and examples, as opposed to a musician writing a normal Christian book. The tales he gives about the desire for playing and performing to crowds that may not be as accepted as he thought, to trying to convince God to provide for his dream, is something all of us musicians have dealt with (me being a drummer) in the church setting. The writer is down-to-earth and honest in telling his struggles and brings out some good points on the subject with an easy-to-read flow of the pages. The chapters could be read one at a time, or in multiple settings, along with a section at the end of most of the chapters to reflect on and give the reader extra thinking points, titled "Pivot Points."
For an in-depth review, visit my page at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...
September 12, 2023
In a world where we are constantly told to pursue our dreams, Wade Joye's "This Dream Is Not For You" offers a refreshing perspective that challenges this cultural narrative. Wade encourages us to release our grip on our dreams and surrender them to God. This book is not simply a self-help guide; it is also a collection of his personal stories and a deeper dive into David and Solomon that will inspire you to reconsider your approach to your own dreams. With every chapter, you will have a renewed sense of hope and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of letting go. I strongly suggest this book to everyone!
September 16, 2023
Inspirational, endearing, and challenging. The heart behind each word is so deeply embedded with God’s love for us and I could tell was written with prayers, wisdom, and goodwill.
Chapter 8 - Calling of Consistency was probably my favorite part. It really resonated with me.
I also think it’s wonderful that Wade made it practical and gave points to put into practice.
This book made me smile, and tear up in a few places. It also is such a great reminder of God working and blessing us. He keeps His promises and I can trust Him with my hopes, dreams, fears, and my future.
Chapter 8 - Calling of Consistency was probably my favorite part. It really resonated with me.
I also think it’s wonderful that Wade made it practical and gave points to put into practice.
This book made me smile, and tear up in a few places. It also is such a great reminder of God working and blessing us. He keeps His promises and I can trust Him with my hopes, dreams, fears, and my future.
August 28, 2023
In Wade Joye's, "This Dream Is Not for You: Learn to Live by Letting Go (Hardcover)," Joye does an excellent job of hitting a challenging topic head-on. It's so challenging to remember as Christians that our lives are not about ourselves, but about God and others. The two most basic commands in the Bible illustrate that well. Love God and Love others. This book illustrates that lesson well with practical examples and challenges for everyone.
September 12, 2023
Wade Joye graciously uses his personal testimonies in “This Dream Is Not For You” to show the reader the importance of trusting God with your dreams. Using Scripture beautifully, Wade encourages the reader to stop striving and, instead, surrender to the Lord so that He may use you to expand His kingdom in ways beyond your wildest dreams. This book is beautifully written and you can tell that it is being written by someone who has lived it out personally. I cannot recommend this book enough!
September 12, 2023
This Dream Is Not For You by Wade Joye is an unexpected and insightful journey into discovering the dream that God truly intended for our lives. Each page is full of practical wisdom and awe-inspiring understanding that causes us to redefine what we once thought as success. It is a beautiful and transformative piece with the ultimate goal of letting go so that we can grasp what truly matters. This is a must read for all!
September 12, 2023
As a person who has had her dreams crushed, this book has given me a new perspective and encouragement to know that God has a bigger purpose for my life. Wade is such a gifted teacher and gives practical and biblical guidance to help us get through the disappointments and unmet expectations that we all face in life. He shows us that we are not defined by our unrealized dreams or how the world defines success, but valued and defined by God's love and faithfulness to us.
September 13, 2023
After reading this, you’ll not only realize how so much of the way you see your dream affects your view of God, but it also exposes the parts of you that actually keep you from dreaming according to His will. Wade’s words are extremely insightful, practical, and relatable enough to feel seen throughout the book without sugar coating or watering down scripture which I really appreciated. Very thankful for this read, I’ll be buying more copies to gift!
September 14, 2023
Working my way through 'This Dream is Not for You' has been challenging in all the right ways. The book has invited me to revisit the simplicity of God's purpose for my life, reevaluate the way I respond to God's call on my life, and rearrange where my dreams fit into the larger context of God's narrative. Ultimately what I've been left with is a sense of freedom and excitement to step into whatever is coming next.
January 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It’s especially great when it’s read by the author! I appreciate how Wade talked from both personal experience and solid biblical theology to point us to Jesus as we face the realities of the highs and lows in while seeking to follow Christ. He writes in a highly relatable way, with a pastoral heart that encourages the reader to look to Jesus! I highly recommend this book!
October 19, 2025
This book had a good message, the basics of which you can glean from the title. It reminds us that we're not the center based on scripture and the gospel message.
Like most "christian living" books, this is probably prolonged in detail. For that reason, I sped-read and reviewed the main points at the end of each chapter.
Like most "christian living" books, this is probably prolonged in detail. For that reason, I sped-read and reviewed the main points at the end of each chapter.
September 25, 2023
In a generation where we are challenged to do "big things for God," Wade Joye walks with us when the Lord seems to say, "not that big thing." I am challenged. I am encouraged.
A timely word in due season, Mr. Joye.
A timely word in due season, Mr. Joye.
March 14, 2024
At first I was unsure about this book. However I read it slowly allowing my brain to really process each chapter. This book pushed me to reach out again to my biological mother, it challenged me, and it comforted me. I would give it 5 stars for the last chapter alone.
December 24, 2024
thank you
September 5, 2023
“This Dream Is Not for You” explores the author’s personal journey of faith and how he came to the realization that his dream of being a worship pastor wasn’t aligned with God’s plan for his life.
Wade Joye offers spiritual guidance and messages of hope to readers who may be struggling with their own dreams and desires. He provides insight in trusting God’s plan and finding purpose in surrender.
The central message of this book is that God’s dream for our lives is far greater and more fulfilling than our own. It underscores the importance of surrendering our own dreams and desires to God, reevaluating the direction of our lives, and seeking His greater plan.
First Line: I remember the day my dream died.
Genre: Christian Self-Help
Author: Wade Joye
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
Wade Joye offers spiritual guidance and messages of hope to readers who may be struggling with their own dreams and desires. He provides insight in trusting God’s plan and finding purpose in surrender.
The central message of this book is that God’s dream for our lives is far greater and more fulfilling than our own. It underscores the importance of surrendering our own dreams and desires to God, reevaluating the direction of our lives, and seeking His greater plan.
First Line: I remember the day my dream died.
Genre: Christian Self-Help
Author: Wade Joye
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews