How to Become the Person You Were Created to Be w/ Steven Furtick
Added: Apr 30, 2024
In this podcast episode, Ed Mylett interviews Steven Furtick, the lead pastor of Elevation Church, about his new book "Do the New You" and his personal journey with faith, struggles, and personal growth. Furtick begins by discussing the common advice of "just do you" and how it can be a trap, as many people settle for who they currently are instead of striving to become the best version of themselves. He introduces the concept of the "treadmill," where individuals chase a future version of themselves that they think would be acceptable.Embracing Your True Identity
Furtick emphasizes the importance of not living cheated or chasing a version of oneself that doesn't truly exist. He believes that most people haven't fully met the version of themselves that God knows, and encourages listeners to strive to become the person that God already knows they are. He uses wordplay to highlight the idea of the "new you" being the version of oneself that God is calling them to become.
Accepting God's Love Through Vulnerability
The conversation then shifts to the topic of accepting God's love. Furtick shares a personal anecdote about meeting Ed and bonding over vulnerabilities. He discusses the struggle of accepting God's love and how it can be correlated with the idea of chasing a future version of oneself. He believes that if God put individuals in a situation, he also put what they need to succeed in that situation within them.
God Equips Us Beforehand
Furtick delves into a biblical story about Moses to illustrate his point. He recounts a moment where he asked his son for a specific amount of money during a sermon, and his son realized that his father had already given it to him before asking. This moment serves as a reminder that God equips individuals with what they need before they are called to use it. Furtick encourages listeners to step into challenging situations with the belief that they already possess what is necessary to succeed.
Embracing Vulnerability and Imperfections
The conversation also touches on the concept of impostor syndrome, with Furtick admitting to struggling with it to some extent. He shares that vulnerability and connecting through imperfections can strengthen relationships and help overcome feelings of inadequacy.
God uses weaknesses for purpose
Furtick and Mylett discuss the Apostle Paul and how he had imposter syndrome, feeling inadequate compared to the "super Apostles" of his time. Despite being called unimpressive, Paul went on to impact the world through his writings in the Bible. Furtick emphasizes that God can use our weaknesses and limitations for His purpose, just like He did with Paul.
Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Furtick shares a story about his daughter, Abby, who wanted to swim across the pool underwater without coming up for air. He coached her, explaining the concept of the "lizard brain" as the survival part of the brain that instills fear and doubt. Abby successfully completed the challenge but remarked, "that lizard is loud," highlighting how our fears and doubts can be overpowering. Furtick relates this to how we often struggle with negative thoughts and self-doubt, but it is essential to push through and trust in God's plan.
Faith and Challenges in Ministry
The conversation then shifts to the ups and downs of faith and the challenges faced by pastors and spiritual leaders. Furtick acknowledges that even as a pastor, he experiences moments of doubt and struggles with his faith. He shares personal experiences of feeling disconnected from God, dealing with anxiety and depression, and seeking therapy for support. He emphasizes that faith is not about being perfect but about being available and allowing God to work through our imperfections.
Finding Joy Amidst Challenges
Furtick reflects on the importance of finding joy in the midst of challenges and pressures. He admits that he struggles with finding joy and often focuses on performance and unfinished tasks. He recognizes the need to simplify his gratitude practice and choose one action to cultivate gratitude. He emphasizes the importance of tuning into God's voice and distinguishing it from negative thoughts and fears.
The Power of Gratitude Practice
Furtick and Mylett discuss the importance of gratitude as a strategy to combat anxiety. Furtick shares his practice of "The Grateful Eight," where he traces the outline of his hand to symbolize God's hand on his life and lists eight things he is grateful for. He emphasizes that a grateful heart leads to stability and encourages listeners to adopt a gratitude practice to shift their mindset from negativity to gratitude.
The Power of Faith and Self-Acceptance
Furtick and Mylett also discuss the transformative power of faith and the importance of accepting oneself while aspiring to grow into the person God sees them to be. Furtick shares a recent experience where he heard his own voice singing in a recording, realizing the untapped potential within himself and the possibility for further growth.
Conclusion
Overall, the podcasts with Steven Furtick provide valuable insights into personal growth, faith, gratitude, and overcoming challenges. Furtick's vulnerability and personal anecdotes resonate with listeners, encouraging them to embrace their imperfections, trust in God's plan, and find joy amidst adversity. His message of accepting oneself while striving for growth and transformation serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for those navigating their own journeys of faith and personal development.
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