Elevation with Steven Furtick
Episode: Not As Long As My Song!
Release Date: August 10, 2025
Introduction and Context
In this episode of Elevation Church's weekly podcast, Pastor Steven Furtick delves deep into the emotional and spiritual struggles that believers face, using Psalm 13 as the foundational text. The episode, titled "Not As Long As My Song!," explores the tension between human endurance and divine faithfulness, offering practical insights on overcoming personal limits through faith and praise.
Opening Remarks and Worship [00:34 – 03:27]
Pastor Furtick opens the podcast with a heartfelt welcome, setting the tone for an inspiring and faith-building message. Accompanied by worship from Holly Furtick, the congregation engages in praises that transition smoothly into the sermon.
- Stephen Furtick [01:03]: “I wanted to thank you for joining us today. Hope this inspires you, hope it builds your faith. Hope it gives you perspective to see God is moving in your life.”
Exposition of Psalm 13 [03:27 – 22:12]
Pastor Furtick introduces Psalm 13, highlighting its nature as a lament that transitions into a declaration of trust in God's unfailing love. He emphasizes the human experience of wrestling with doubts and fears, even amidst strong faith.
- Stephen Furtick [05:30]: “God is so good and so faithful. I have one for you today. The Lord has been speaking to me. Do you mind if I pray before I read the scripture?”
He reads Psalm 13 and underscores the psalmist’s raw emotions:
- Stephen Furtick [06:18]: “How long, Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
- Holly Furtick [02:29]: “Bless the Lord at and his praise.”
Personal Story: Elijah’s Surgery [03:17 – 15:38]
Pastor Furtick shares a poignant personal story about his son Elijah’s challenging medical journey. This narrative illustrates the theme of hitting human limits and the struggle to maintain faith during prolonged hardship.
- Stephen Furtick [10:45]: “But Elijah said, not as long as my song. Father. Make it plain and powerful and personal.”
Holly adds a light-hearted moment about Elijah helping with sermon clips, reinforcing the theme of ongoing support and resilience.
- Holly Furtick [15:38]: “He's actually working for me now, clipping my sermons for TikTok.”
Themes: Limits, Levels, and Loops [22:12 – 44:06]
Pastor Furtick introduces the concept of Limits, Levels, and Loops, using analogies from wrestling to explain spiritual battles. He contrasts external struggles (lions and bears) with internal battles (wrestling with thoughts and emotions).
- Stephen Furtick [30:36]: “Limits and levels and loops. Amen. Limits and levels and loops. Amen.”
He discusses the importance of changing levels when human will reaches its limit, advocating for transitioning from fighting external enemies to addressing internal struggles through faith.
- Stephen Furtick [26:50]: “When you hit your limit, change your level.”
Changing the Battle Level: From External to Internal [44:06 – 45:36]
The discussion deepens into the spiritual warfare within the mind. Pastor Furtick explains that unlike external battles, internal struggles require a different approach—shifting from physical confrontation to spiritual trust and praise.
- Holly Furtick [43:56]: “The level of your battle tells you something about the level that God is calling you to.”
He connects Psalm 13 to David’s historic battles, highlighting that even the most brilliant minds experience profound struggles, suggesting that such battles often precede great purposes.
- Stephen Furtick [45:36]: “Isn't it amazing that the mind that created something so magnificent as the temple experienced so much misery?”
Breaking the Negative Loop with Praise [44:06 – 60:03]
Pastor Furtick introduces the concept of loops—repetitive thought patterns that can trap individuals in despair. He encourages listeners to create positive loops through continuous praise, which can outlast and outshine their struggles.
- Stephen Furtick [54:24]: “He has been good to me. Watch me when you have hit your limit.”
He shares the creation of the song "Been So Good," illustrating how looping praise statements can reinforce faith and disrupt negative cycles.
- Stephen Furtick [55:20]: “Living in this week. Not how hard it's been, but you have been so good to me.”
Insights and Conclusions [60:03 – End]
Pastor Furtick wraps up by reiterating the episode’s central message: "Not As Long As My Song!" He emphasizes that while struggles may persist, the act of continuous praise provides strength and shifts focus from despair to divine faithfulness.
- Stephen Furtick [58:16]: “You sing. I don't know how long it's going to last, but sing it again. Not as long.”
He challenges listeners to adopt a mindset where their worship and praise extend beyond their immediate troubles, creating a resilient loop of faith.
- Holly Furtick [54:34]: “I'm going to outsing this doubt. I'm going to out sing this issue with my prodigal child. I'm going to out praise it.”
The episode concludes with a powerful call to action: to outlast personal struggles with unwavering praise and trust in God's enduring love.
Notable Quotes
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Stephen Furtick [06:18]: “How long, Lord, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
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Holly Furtick [16:09]: “Have a minute to move. Before I start preaching, let's welcome our global efam online all around the world.”
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Stephen Furtick [30:36]: “Limits and levels and loops. Amen.”
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Holly Furtick [43:56]: “The level of your battle tells you something about the level that God is calling you to.”
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Holly Furtick [54:34]: “I'm going to outsing this doubt. I'm going to out sing this issue with my prodigal child. I'm going to out praise it.”
Conclusion
In "Not As Long As My Song!," Pastor Steven Furtick masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes, scripture, and practical advice to address the universal human experience of struggle and doubt. By emphasizing the power of continuous praise and shifting battle levels from external to internal, he offers listeners a transformative approach to overcoming personal limits. This episode serves as a beacon of hope, reminding believers that their songs of faith can outlast their darkest moments.
Additional Resources
To further explore the teachings of Elevation Church and Pastor Steven Furtick, visit Elevation Church.org or download the Elevation App. To support the ministry, consider contributing here.