a fantasy vs. a dream

FANTASY
/strong>Middle English fantasie — more at fancy
Date:
14th century
a class="lookup" href="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/caprice">caprice5: the power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need ; also : a mental image or a series of mental images (as a daydream) so created


DREAM
Date:
13th century
a: a strongly desired goal or purpose b: something that fully satisfies a wish : ="http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ideal">ideal



Although dreams and fantasies have similarities, their differences are enough to make one good and the other dangerous. A dream is based upon a strongly desired goal or purpose, whereas a fantasy is both unrealistic and removed from reality. The essense of a fantasy is dangerous, but a dream that is correct in its foundation can stir hope and passion and give endurance for the long race ahead. Fantasies are selfish and based on instant gratification. I think dreams can be selfish too--and even become fantasies--when not based in truth. But when they are based in truth, with a willingness to work hard, they can become reality--a reality that is meant to benefit mankind, giving life to others.

A fantasy world is not a good place to live. It is a place where sexual desires become deadly, with battle jails like pornography an easy trap to get a heart bound up in chains. It is a place where you imagine yourself in any place except for where you are, giving place to a mind-set that is unhealthy. It is a place where the thoughts are not renewed by the WORD--a sword that cuts through us to separate what is soul and what is spirit--to bring us to a place of learning how to function as true sons/daughters, who hate sin and love purity. Dreams are focused on goals--with actions accompanying the big ideas. Fantasy just stays put and tries hard to live in a different story without working to change the existing one.

When I look at the cross, I see no place for fantasy. There is a promise of life that causes me to dream. Living in a world where I am simply trying to "fix" my cravings and settle for instant gratification is not abundant life. Living in light of redemption is beautiful and powerful. In Christ, there is freedom from the bondage of fantasy. There is freedom to dream really pure dreams.

Hmm....just some thoughts....I'm going to look into this further. After looking at those definitions, I feel like our culture encourages fantasy worlds in a lot of ways. I want freedom for my generation--that our minds would be renewed by Truth--producing thoughts that push us forward instead of keeping us stagnated and ineffective.