Podcast: Play in new window
Do you feel like you’re constantly going and never finishing your jam-packed to-do list? Are you pushing to be the most successful business-woman, the most involved parent, or the most hospitable host, and resting for an hour — let alone a full day — is an unrealistic goal that lives in a far-away land you’ll never reach? Maybe you’re chasing a God-given dream or meeting needs in your church or community that no one else is filling, but you’re exhausted, burnt out, and wondering where you went wrong.
These are symptoms of hustling, and it’s a habit you may not even realize you have. It’s so easy to believe the lies that everything rests on your shoulders, that you must do the thing now, or that you won’t see results if you don’t continue to give it your all… all of the time. After all, you’re not hustling; you’re just working hard, right? Is there a difference, and what does God say about it?
In my conversation with Malinda Fuller, she opens up about her innate struggle with hustling. Hustling doesn’t just apply to work. You may see symptoms of hustle in your parenting, your homemaking, and even your church. Hustling is a heart issue. When you attach your identity to what you can do or accomplish, you trade a higher calling for a hustle. Malinda speaks about how rest is not only God’s command but also God’s gift to us. Jesus was not a man who hurried to do anything, and, given our busy-loving culture, his example of slower living applies to us.
So what can you do to replace hustling with obedience? Malinda recommends putting up bumpers and boundaries that will cue you when you need to slow down. Ask yourself what fruit all your activities are producing. Ask your sister circle and those who you love to hold you accountable for prioritizing rest. Choose to do something you love –reading, cooking, gardening, or enjoying quality time with family.
And do what you love often, just for pleasure’s sake.
It’s easy to get caught up in good things and miss the things God has asked us to do. God created Sabbath for us, and you can live from it rather than crawling towards it. You can create rhythms of rest and celebration that are life-giving for you and your family. God wants you to lay down your hustle, rest in Him, and have faith that He’ll lead you to identify and accomplish the things He’s placed on your plate.
Highlights from Today’s Episode:
- Learning symptoms of hustling
- Differentiating hustling from working hard
- Knowing God’s voice versus your own
Resources from today’s show
- Connect with Malinda on Instagram, Facebook, or on her website.
- Grab a copy of Malinda’s book Obedience Over Hustle
- Check out a book Malinda recommends, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
- Pick up the book Malinda and Chrystal are reading, A Man Named Ove. Plus, others that Malinda mentioned: Beartown, Us Against You, Harry Potter, and The Other Einstein.
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- “God has given us rhythms for life, and sometimes our hustle takes us right outside of His will.” – Chrystal Hurst
- “Is what you’re working for right now the thing that God has asked you to do?” – Malinda Fuller
- “There are a lot of people doing things that God has asked them to do, but He hasn’t necessarily said to do it today.” – Malinda Fuller
- “Our striving, exhaustion, and burnout come from trying to do the right thing at the wrong time. The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.” – Malinda Fuller
- “You experience freedom and grace when you let the big things be the most important things and let the other stuff fall into the background.” – Malinda Fuller
- “It’s easy to get caught up in good things and miss the things God has asked us to do.” – Chrystal Hurst
Other Stuff to Check Out
- Need to encourage your soul? Try listening to the playlist I put together for my mom, Lady Lois’ Worship
- Interested in supporting the content I create and enjoying bonus content? Learn about joining my Inner Circle!
- Be sure to also check out my other books She’s Still There, Show Up For Your Life, Kingdom Woman!
Let’s Talk!
- In what areas of your life do you tend to hustle?
- What boundaries or cues can you look for to remind yourself to slow down?
- Who can hold you accountable?
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 or Google Play! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also, if you would 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!
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You have been so great to join me on the journey here on the blog, I hope you jump right in and do the same on the podcast!
Thank You for sending this I received some great nuggets.
Yolanda Hutchings-Lee
Jesus didn’t hurry, nor should we! Listening to this conversation confirmed for me that God uses every season we’re in, whether ii feels like non-stop hustling, or a state of paralysis from feeling overwhelmed by life. When we are still to listen He will direct our steps. This podcast affirms that truth, thank you.
Yes! Going through life slow can be good. Thanks for listening!