Detailed Summary of "Hold Your Peace" Episode from Elevation with Steven Furtick

Podcast Information:

• Title: Elevation with Steven Furtick
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Hold Your Peace (Pastor Holly Furtick)
• Release Date: May 11, 2025

1. Introduction

The episode, Hold Your Peace, features Pastor Holly Furtick, the wife of Steven Furtick, as she delves into the profound topic of peace within the Christian life. The discussion intertwines personal anecdotes, biblical teachings, and practical applications to help listeners cultivate and maintain peace amidst life's challenges.

2. Family Dynamics and the Nature of Being Opinionated

Pastor Holly begins with a humorous and relatable story about her family’s strong-willed nature. She shares how she and Pastor Steven both possess a firm belief in right and wrong, leading to lively discussions within their household.

Pastor Holly Furtick [00:22]: "All five of us together, we have a problem. And when a disagreement occurs in our family... we each have this innate desire to have the last word."

Through this narrative, Holly emphasizes the importance of holding peace even when opinions clash, setting the stage for her sermon.

3. The Sermon: "Hold Your Peace"

The core of the episode revolves around Holly’s sermon titled Hold Your Peace. She introduces the concept that maintaining peace requires deliberate effort and practice, especially in tumultuous circumstances.

Pastor Holly Furtick [03:42]: "I want you to know that you can have peace, biblical peace, in your mind and in your relationships, no matter what is going on in the world around you."

4. Biblical Foundations: Philippians 4 and Ephesians 6

Holly anchors her message in Scripture, particularly focusing on Philippians 4:6-7 and Ephesians 6:15.

Philippians 4:6-7:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 6:15:

"And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

She explains how these passages highlight the integration of prayer and readiness in achieving peace.

5. Internal vs. External Peace

A significant portion of the sermon distinguishes between internal and external peace, illustrating how they interplay to foster a balanced and peaceful life.

• External Peace: Relates to harmonious relationships with others.
• Internal Peace: Pertains to one's mental and emotional state amidst personal troubles.

Pastor Holly Furtick [09:30]: "The two are connected. They feed each other. So my external peace, my relationships with others affects my internal peace, but also my internal peace affects how I act and how I respond to others."

She warns that when internal peace is compromised, it can negatively impact external relationships, making one more vulnerable to negative influences.

6. Practical Steps to Hold Peace

Pastor Holly outlines three key practices essential for maintaining peace:

a. Practice of Prayer

Holly shares her personal struggles with anxiety and the temptation to "time travel" in her mind, reliving past mistakes or worrying about future scenarios. She underscores the importance of presenting requests directly to God rather than dwelling on them endlessly.

Pastor Holly Furtick [27:15]: "Paul didn't say, present your request to people. He said, present your request to God."

By focusing on prayer, listeners can redirect their anxieties and cultivate a deeper sense of peace.

b. Practice of Patterns

Drawing from Philippians 4:8, Holly emphasizes the significance of establishing positive daily habits that reinforce God's presence in one's life. She challenges listeners to evaluate their routines and discard those that disrupt their peace.

Pastor Holly Furtick [35:50]: "Our patterns will either accentuate the presence of God or they will diminish our awareness of it."

An example she provides is reducing morning time on social media to prevent distractions and foster a peaceful mindset.

c. Practice of Praise

Holly advocates for the intentional use of praise to shift focus from troubles to gratitude. By speaking praises of God, individuals can invite peace into their lives and influence those around them positively.

Pastor Holly Furtick [42:10]: "Sometimes the only way to hold your peace is to praise. Drown out the noise of the evil one with songs of deliverance."

She cites Corrie Ten Boom's inspirational story to illustrate how praise can sustain peace even in the darkest circumstances.

7. Personal Testimony and Miracle Story

Holly shares a heartfelt testimony about a recent miracle in her marriage after 23 years. She recounts how God answered her prayers by easing tensions through a dream her husband had, which mirrored the prayers she had been keeping to herself.

Pastor Holly Furtick [34:20]: "It is a benefit of knowing Jesus. Jesus said to his disciples... 'I have overcome the world.'"

This story underscores the power of prayer and holding peace in strengthening relationships.

8. Inspirational Example: Corrie Ten Boom

To further illustrate the transformative power of peace, Holly references Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor who maintained faith and peace in unimaginable circumstances. Corrie’s method of vocalizing praises amidst hardship serves as a powerful example for listeners.

Pastor Holly Furtick [40:50]: "In such a place, peace was not just possible. It was real."

Holly encourages listeners to emulate Corrie's resilience through persistent praise and trust in God.

9. Conclusion

In wrapping up, Pastor Holly Furtick reaffirms that peace is not a passive state but an active practice that requires commitment and intentional living. She challenges listeners to integrate prayer, mindful patterns, and praise into their daily lives to harness the peace that transcends understanding.

Pastor Holly Furtick [43:30]: "When you put these things into practice, you will not only hold tightly to your truth, but others will see it and they'll wonder and you'll try to explain it to them, but you can't."

Holly emphasizes that maintaining peace equips believers to navigate life’s battles with strength and grace, ultimately glorifying God through their steadfastness.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:22] Pastor Holly Furtick: "All five of us together, we have a problem... innate desire to have the last word."

• [03:42] Pastor Holly Furtick: "I want you to know that you can have peace, biblical peace, in your mind and in your relationships..."

• [09:30] Pastor Holly Furtick: "The two are connected. They feed each other..."

• [27:15] Pastor Holly Furtick: "Paul didn't say, present your request to people. He said, present your request to God."

• [35:50] Pastor Holly Furtick: "Our patterns will either accentuate the presence of God or they will diminish our awareness of it."

• [34:20] Pastor Holly Furtick: "It is a benefit of knowing Jesus. Jesus said to his disciples... 'I have overcome the world.'"

• [40:50] Pastor Holly Furtick: "In such a place, peace was not just possible. It was real."

• [42:10] Pastor Holly Furtick: "Sometimes the only way to hold your peace is to praise..."

• [43:30] Pastor Holly Furtick: "When you put these things into practice, you will not only hold tightly to your truth..."

Final Thoughts

Hold Your Peace serves as a compelling reminder of the active role believers must take in cultivating peace. Through Scripture, personal stories, and practical advice, Pastor Holly Furtick provides listeners with actionable steps to embrace and maintain peace, regardless of external circumstances. The episode encourages a deeper reliance on prayer, the establishment of positive daily habits, and the power of praise to uphold spiritual and relational tranquility.

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