Podcast: Play in new window
Every now and then we need to take a look in the mirror.
Even the best of us needs to make time every now and again to take stock, clean house, and root out the things that are in the way.
This past weekend I did a little “spring cleaning” while there was a Texas-sized blizzard raging outside (translated to read… we got an inch of snow that melted in under two hours).
I went through piles of papers, cleaned out the fridge, did gobs of laundry, and was shocked to realized how much of our day to day mess had piled up without me realizing being fully aware. Easily overlooking things that I had grown accustomed to seeing, I somehow didn’t realize that my stuff was getting in the way.
Sometimes ya’ll, our “stuff” does indeed get in the way.
We have stuff.
Low self-esteem, insecurity, fear of the future, people pleasing, fear of rejection, negative thoughts, laziness, difficult circumstances…
You name it… we’ve got it.
And the big issue?
We let our “stuff” get in the way of our potential.
We let talk ourselves right out of our purpose citing all of the problematic reasons why God’s plan won’t work in our lives or why the dreams that He’s given us will never happen.
Don’t do it.
Can I say that to you? I hope we’ve been chatting long enough now where I can just shoot straight. If this is your first time here on my blog, well… I’m sorry.
Just don’t.
Be strong. Have courage.
You don’t have any courage you say?
Well, my friend, the way you develop the courage you need is to act as if you already have the courage… and behave accordingly. – Brian Tracy {Click to Tweet}
God will call each and every one of us to live within the context of the unique personalities, circumstances, experiences, and opportunities, but He doesn’t want us to be limited by them.
You will be stretched in your lifetime beyond what you though you had the potential to absorb. You will be challenged to walk boldly into situations of which you have no guarantee of the outcome. And while you are to be a lover of people, you are not to live being a lover of people’s approval – that can be difficult.
When God stretches, challenges, and calls you to new places of purpose, it might be a problem.
Actually you might find yourself presenting options of problems to God and trying to convince Him that His idea is not quite the right idea.
You won’t be the first, and you won’t be the last.
But you don’t have to learn the hard way.
At least one other person has beat you to the punch and thrown every considerable argument at God when called to something new.
When God asks you to obey, do you come up with every reason in the book not to do so?
If God tugs at your heart to do something that seems out of your reach, do you talk yourself out of it?
What if the only thing standing between you and your purpose is your rehearsal of the problems instead of your belief in His power at work in you?
Look in the mirror.
It’s time to stop believing what you see with your eyes and see what God sees when he looks at you and sees the potential you have.
Today, I talk about one person, their arguments, and God’s response.
I also talk about how you can and why you should avoid making the same mistake.
Your choice to believe what He thinks about you can and will change your life.
It won’t be comfortable to push past your fears. It won’t be easy to push past what you think are a litany of problems. But why not go out on a limb?
That’s where the fruit is. {Click to Tweet}
Highlights from Today’s Episode:
“When Your Purpose Is a Problem”
- Don’t rehearse you problems. Rehearse your potential.
- Your biggest area of insecurity can become the vessel with which God accomplishes His purposes.
- Use what you have. Trust God with the rest.
Quick Links
==> Links for Today’s Show
- Did you miss last week’s podcast? CLICK HERE!
- Want to receive my blog post in your inbox? CLICK HERE
- Want to read my book? Check out Kingdom Woman!
- Quotes to tweet from today’s podcast:
- “Everything that is happening to you now is preparation for what will happen next. Don’t quit.” – @ChrystalHurst
- “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. ” – Henry David Thoreau
- “Don’t let the enemy use your current hardships to talk you out of what God has called you to do.” – @pastoremase
- “People will believe when they see what you do with what you have.” – @ChrystalHurst
- “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” – @ValerieBurton
- “Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand.” – Augustine.
Let’s Talk!
After you’ve listened to the podcast, I’d love to continue the conversation. Be sure and leave a comment or ask a question!
- What was helpful to you after listening to today’s podcast?
- What do you sense God calling you to and what problem(s) in your life have prevented you from believing that He knows what’s best?
- If you were to act like you had courage even though you didn’t feel very brave, what would you do differently?
Connect with me…
How to Listen to The Podcast
If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world.
1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
3. Share today’s show – I could use your help with getting the word out there about my new podcast. Would you take a minute to share today’s post? Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
Can I ask you a favor? However you found me, will you be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher? Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists! Thanks in advance for your help!
Good morning, Chrystal!
Please share your chore chart! Thank you. 🙂
Will work on that 🙂
Thank you! I too am struggling with this and this was exactly what I needed! Please continue to speak what God has given to you.
P.S. You remembered Dr. Yang LOL.
Thank you for this spiritual “slap in the face” Chrystal! 🙂
May God continue to bless you Richly!
Hope it didn’t feel that way 😮
I cant wait to listen to today’s podcast. reading the above is exactly the things I’m wrestling with. You know for years God has been preparing you to lead a women’s fellowship and when the opportunity comes around, you give God a zillion excuses as to why you are not the right candidate for the job. Our second meeting for 2015 is coming up, and I’m doing the preparations with fear and trembling. But I guess it keeps me grounded knowing I’m not leading with my own ability.
Secondly, this morning whlist doing my morning walk/run I was saying to myself can Chrystal just get back onto the road, so we can see her post about that on social media and hear about it on her podcast. eg…..”you all know I run…” almost like its my que to get out there. Thank you once again for the inspiration, encouragment …
Let me listen to today’s podcast.
Africa greetings ya’all
Gillian
Thanks for encouraging me to get my act together. Been struggling. And to be honest… this weeks I went to work out twice and each time I thought of you. “Can’t let Gillian down!”
Thanks for sharing, I can’t tell you how much I needed this!!
[…] Every now and then we need to take a look in the mirror. Even the best of us needs to …read more […]
Thank you for the encouragement and insight today!
“Understanding is the reward of faith”. Thanks, Chrystal. This truly was a blessing to me today.
Chrystal!!! Thank you for letting God use you to speak into my life. This is it, right where I am, right now. May God continue to bless you and use you to build up and encourage those of us who waiver in and out of faith. I love your podcast, I listen every week. Though this is my first comment “out loud” (post) I have shared your blog and podcast to my little circle. Thank you and God bless you!
-Pat
So glad you took the time to reply!
Hi Chrystal,
Thank You… God bless you so much and bless your ministry.
I have learned a lot.The most important lesson I’ve learned here is humility and trust in the One who called me.
God knew I needed this Word,it’s a word for the season I am in !!!
My heart is filled with gratitude.
Thank You!
My focus saying this week has been “happiness is a perfume you can not pour on others with out getting a few drops on yourself” (unknown) and I wanted to thank you for pouring a whole bunch of happiness on me. Just the message I needed to hear. First podcast of yours I listened to, I’ll listen to more 🙂 Beautiful message and so needed for me to hear….
I’m late to the party, but this message is right on time for me….That’s how God works. Praying for your ministry and that God continues to use you as a vessel for the kingdom! “Leap and the net will appear” Focusing on the Provider!
Thank you crystal I appreciate you using your gift to touch others
Thanks for sharing. Great word!
Love this podcast! I’ve been listening for maybe a month now to many of your podcasts….I find each and every one of them helpful! Thank you!
Awesome! So glad y words are an encouragement to you.