Podcast Summary: Elevation with Steven Furtick – Episode: "Handle It" (Released July 4, 2025)

In the "Handle It" episode of Elevation with Steven Furtick, Pastor Steven Furtick delves deep into the theme of faith and resilience by drawing parallels from the biblical story of Moses. Through engaging storytelling, personal anecdotes, and scriptural insights, Furtick encourages listeners to confront their challenges head-on, utilizing the resources and strengths they already possess.

1. Introduction to Faith and Moses

[00:05]
Steven Furtick opens the sermon by expressing gratitude to the listeners and setting the tone for a message aimed at building faith and providing perspective on God's movement in one's life. He introduces Moses from the Book of Exodus as a central figure to illustrate the power of handling one's circumstances with faith.

Key Quote:
"I need you to announce my message title to your neighbor. Put your hand on their shoulder. Get their attention... God wants you to handle it." [03:29]

2. The Symbolism of Moses' Staff

Furtick examines Exodus 4:1-5, focusing on Moses' staff as a multifaceted symbol in his journey. The staff represents Moses' past mistakes, his present responsibilities, and the divine power bestowed upon him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Key Points:

• Attachment to Tools: Furtick likens Moses' relationship with his staff to his personal connection with his microphone, emphasizing the importance of familiarity and trust in the tools we use.

• Unseen Potential: He highlights that Moses did not initially understand the full potential of the staff, paralleling how individuals often underestimate their own resources and capabilities.

Notable Quote:
"What you have is what you need. Everything you need is within reach." [16:53]

3. Overcoming "What If" with Faith

A significant portion of the sermon addresses the paralyzing effect of the "what if" mindset. Furtick challenges listeners to move beyond hypothetical fears and take decisive action based on faith.

Key Points:

• Fear's Greatest Hit: The pervasive "what if" questions can stifle dreams and actions.

• Historical vs. Hypothetical: While Moses' fears were rooted in historical events, they manifested as present-day anxieties that many listeners can relate to.

Key Quote:
"It's not what you have, it's how you handle what you have." [18:39]

4. Practical Applications and Personal Stories

Furtick shares personal experiences from his early ministry days to illustrate the importance of handling challenges with grace and resilience.

Key Stories:

• Early Ministry Struggles: Recounting his time teaching at a youth group, Furtick describes moments of self-doubt and conflict, ultimately learning to "handle it" with the support of others.

• Confronting Past Hurts: He speaks candidly about his struggle to forgive his father, highlighting the personal battles one must face to grow spiritually.

Notable Quote:
"What if Moses had kept running? He never would have seen what the staff could do." [42:24]

5. God's Unique Ways of Handling Situations

Furtick emphasizes that God's methods for resolving problems are often unconventional and require trust and obedience, much like how Moses was instructed to handle the staff.

Key Points:

• Divine Guidance: God's solutions may not align with human expectations, requiring faith to execute them.

• Transformation Through Handling: By taking hold of their challenges (the "staff"), believers can witness transformative outcomes.

Key Quote:
"Your issue is not going to change until you handle it. Your pain is not going to become your purpose until you handle it." [37:35]

6. Empowerment Through Faith

Encouraging listeners to embrace their capabilities, Furtick reinforces that handling life's challenges is not about the magnitude of the problem but the approach taken.

Key Points:

• Philippians 4:13: Referenced to affirm that with Christ, believers can handle any situation.

• Active Engagement: Listeners are urged to proactively "grab" the wisdom and resources available to them, transforming obstacles into opportunities.

Notable Quote:
"God is good and God is strong. God is great and God is good. So God told Moses, 'I've come down to rescue them.' That's what He is doing for you." [21:31]

7. Conclusion: Embracing God's Handling

Furtick wraps up the sermon by reiterating that God's handling of situations may not always be apparent immediately but assures that His methods lead to ultimate victory and transformation.

Key Points:

• Trust in God's Process: Even when solutions seem paradoxical or delayed, trusting in God's plan ensures that situations are handled for the better.

• Encouragement to Act: Listeners are motivated to support each other by sharing the message and reinforcing the belief that "it's handled."

Final Quote:
"What you have is what you need. Everything you need is within reach. It's how you handle it." [38:45]

Takeaway

In "Handle It," Steven Furtick masterfully intertwines biblical narratives with real-life applications, urging listeners to recognize and utilize the strengths and resources they already possess. By embracing a proactive and faith-driven approach, believers are empowered to transform challenges into testimonies of God's unwavering support and power.

Encouragement to Listeners:

• Engage with Others: Furtick encourages touching neighbors and sharing the message to reinforce community support.

• Self-Reflection: He prompts listeners to identify and handle personal challenges with the wisdom and tools they have been given.

Final Call to Action:
"Touch somebody and say, 'It's handled.' You have to learn to handle it, whether it's weights in a weight room or whether it's life." [40:37]

This episode serves as a compelling reminder that faith is not merely about possessing the right resources but about effectively managing and leveraging what one already has to overcome obstacles and achieve divine purposes.