Elevation with Steven Furtick: Episode Summary – "I Thought It Was Through"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Elevation with Steven Furtick
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: Welcome to the weekly podcast of Elevation Church led by Pastor Steven Furtick. To learn more visit elevationchurch.org or download the Elevation App.
• Episode: I Thought It Was Through
• Release Date: July 20, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "I Thought It Was Through," Pastor Steven Furtick delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the detrimental impact of negative thinking patterns rooted in the phrase "I thought." Drawing inspiration from Psalm 77, Furtick guides listeners through a transformative journey from despair to hope, illustrating how misunderstood thoughts can hinder personal and spiritual growth.

Personal Reflections and Background

[02:01]
Steven opens the episode by sharing a deeply personal narrative about his oldest son, Elijah, who underwent a significant surgery followed by a severe infection that landed him in the ICU. Reflecting on this challenging period, Furtick emphasizes the importance of rest, study, and songwriting during times of hardship. This personal struggle sets the stage for his exploration of Psalm 77 and its relevance to overcoming despair.

Notable Quote:
"He’s doing all better now. In fact, the Lord healed him and he's clipping my sermon for TikTok right now as I preach it in a back room somewhere. So let's give God praise for that."
[02:09]

Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 77

Furtick introduces Psalm 77 as the cornerstone of his sermon, highlighting its profound message of lament transitioning into wisdom. He reads Psalm 77:19, which becomes the focal point for his discussion:

Psalm 77:19:
"Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen."
[05:58]

Notable Quote:
"Just turn to the person next to you and tell them, even if you don't see it, God is working. Tell them, even if you don't feel it, God is working."
[05:58]

The Core Theme: "I Thought It Was Through"

Furtick unpacks the pervasive issue of being trapped in negative “I thought” cycles—thoughts that are personal, permanent, and pervasive. He identifies these patterns as major obstacles not stemming from external enemies or personal failings but from misguided internal beliefs.

Key Points:

1. Confidently Wrong:
   Furtick discusses how individuals often hold onto beliefs they are certain are true, only to discover later that they were mistaken. This cycle prevents growth and acceptance of truth.

   Notable Quote:
   "I'm stuck in an I thought... It's the biggest obstacle to God doing what he wants in my life over and over again."
   [08:00]

2. Three Ps of Negative Thinking:

   • Personal: Taking things personally, leading to isolation.
   • Permanent: Believing situations or feelings will last forever.
   • Pervasive: Assuming that negative feelings affect every aspect of life.

   Notable Quote:
   "When it becomes personal, the Lord rejected me. There's something wrong with me."
   [27:28]

3. Distress vs. Despair:
   Furtick differentiates between transient distress, which is manageable with hope, and despair, which signifies lost hope and perpetual negativity.

   Notable Quote:
   "Despair is dangerous. Despair is hurt minus hope."
   [30:33]

Illustrations and Examples

Family Interactions:
Furtick shares humorous and relatable anecdotes about his family's inability to recall times when they were confidently wrong, highlighting the universal struggle of admitting mistakes.

Song Reflection:
He recounts a moment where he and his wife Holly doubted the quality of a song they wrote for the church, only to recognize its value after presenting it to others. This example underscores the theme of overcoming initial misconceptions.

Notable Quote:
"I'm glad I was wrong because it means there might be something else in my life right now that I think sucks, but it's actually going to be an amazing thing."
[14:11]

Biblical Example: The Israelites at the Red Sea

Furtick uses the story of the Israelites fleeing Egypt as a biblical illustration of "I thought it was through." Faced with an overwhelming Egyptian army and the seemingly insurmountable Red Sea, the Israelites believed their situation was dire. However, God's timely intervention led them to safety, transforming their initial despair into a song of praise.

Key Lessons:

• Perspective Shift:
  Just as the Israelites focused on the immediate threat rather than trusting God's plan, individuals often fixate on present hardships without recognizing divine intervention.

• Memory as a Tool:
  Reflecting on past blessings and God's faithfulness can alter one's perception of current struggles.

Notable Quote:
"Suddenly my hands go up in worship because I remember that the battle is not mine, but it belongs to the Lord."
[41:11]

Practical Applications

1. Identifying Negative "I Thoughts":
   Furtick encourages listeners to recognize and circle their negative "I thought" statements, bringing awareness to recurring negative patterns.

2. Scriptural Meditation:
   By meditating on God's past deeds and promises, individuals can break free from cycles of negative thinking and despair.

3. Embracing Hope:
   Transitioning from distress to hope involves trusting in God's plans, even when current circumstances seem bleak.

Notable Quote:
"God didn’t bring us out here to drown us. He didn’t bring us out here because the enemy can’t swim."
[52:25]

Conclusion

In "I Thought It Was Through," Pastor Steven Furtick masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes, biblical narratives, and practical advice to address the crippling effects of negative thinking. By grounding his message in Psalm 77, he offers a roadmap from despair to hope, encouraging listeners to trust in God's unseen yet powerful workings in their lives.

Final Quote:
"If there is an attack against your life, if there is an attack against your family, if there is an attack against your mind, there is something in your future that hell has recognized. Think it through."
[50:38]

Furtick wraps up the sermon by reaffirming that God's faithfulness surpasses any moment of doubt or despair, urging listeners to "think it through" with a perspective aligned with divine truth.

Notable Timestamps for Quotes:

• 02:09: Praise for Elijah's healing.
• 05:58: Introduction of Psalm 77:19 and its significance.
• 08:00: Discussing the cycle of "I thought" as an obstacle.
• 14:11: Realizing the benefit of being wrong.
• 27:28: Explanation of the Three Ps of negative thinking.
• 30:33: Distinguishing between distress and despair.
• 41:11: Transformation through remembering God's deeds.
• 50:38: Confronting attacks and encouraging "think it through."
• 52:25: God's purpose in leading through trials.

Final Thoughts:

This episode of "Elevation with Steven Furtick" serves as a powerful reminder that our perceptions are not always accurate reflections of reality. By re-evaluating our "I thought" statements and anchoring our beliefs in God's truth, we can overcome feelings of despair and embrace a journey of faith and resilience.