Elevation with Steven Furtick: "The Glitch That Keeps On Giving"

Host: Steven Furtick
Date: February 20, 2026
Podcast: Elevation with Steven Furtick (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this powerful and personal sermon, Pastor Steven Furtick explores the idea that the very things we consider flaws or "glitches" in ourselves can actually be the source of our greatest gifts and the means through which God works most profoundly. Using 2 Corinthians 10:7-12 as his cornerstone, Furtick examines how the Apostle Paul, despite his undeniable talents, still faced criticism and feelings of inadequacy—and how God uses broken, imperfect people to do extraordinary things. Drawing on examples from popular culture, personal anecdotes, and the Bible, Furtick delivers an encouraging message: your glitch might just be your gift.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Universal Question: "Do I have what it takes?"

• [01:50] Furtick introduces the central existential question everyone asks themselves, regardless of life stage, status, or circumstances.
  • Quote: "You've been asking this question your whole life in different ways... Do I have what it takes?" – Steven Furtick
• He frames Apostle Paul’s letters to the Corinthians as a direct address to this question, reminding listeners that even Paul faced doubts about his qualifications.

2. Comparing Ourselves to Others: The Trap of Appearances

• [04:10] Paul warns against judging by appearances and measuring ourselves against others (2 Corinthians 10:7, 12).
  • Quote: "When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." – Steven Furtick [paraphrasing Paul]
• Furtick relates this to modern struggles with comparison and social validation.
  • "People say the Bible is outdated. That sounds like a pretty good word for 2016 to me." – Steven Furtick [05:00]

3. Storytelling & The "Glitch Girl" Analogy

• [06:15] Furtick shares emotional moments from movies that made him cry, culminating in the story of Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph, whose glitch is seen as a flaw but ultimately enables her to win.
  • Quote: "Thinking about all the ways my glitches have caused me to miss God in my life... how many people would go further, faster if they knew how to deal with their glitch." – Steven Furtick [09:45]

4. God Uses Broken People for Big Things

• [11:10] Furtick lists flawed biblical characters, emphasizing God’s tendency to choose the imperfect.
  • "Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old... Lazarus was dead. So, what's your excuse?" – Steven Furtick [paraphrasing viral ‘God uses broken people’ posts]
• He asserts that everyone has excuses for why they’re “unqualified”—but it’s not an excuse God accepts.

5. Apostolic Credentials and Defending Your Calling

• [14:00] Despite Paul’s accomplishments, he still had to defend his ministry and face people who doubted him—demonstrating that insecurity and opposition don't vanish with success.
  • Quote: "What God has purposed for you to accomplish is too important for you to leave your issues unconfronted." – Steven Furtick
• Furtick suggests that internalizing your calling sometimes means standing up against your own insecurities as much as others' judgments.

6. The Depth Beyond Appearances: "Look Beneath the Surface"

• [18:30] To illustrate the danger of surface judgments, Furtick uses a live illustration with an audience member and a roll of cash.
  • Quote: "If you judge this stack by what you see on the surface, you are going to underestimate." – Steven Furtick [20:10]
  • Tagline: "What you see is not all there is to me. What I see in the mirror is not indicative of my ministry, of my life, of my potential. Take another look at me." – Steven Furtick

7. True Confidence Comes from Belonging, Not Performance

• [23:00] Instead of associating confidence with conflict/outward perfection, Furtick teaches that real confidence is a byproduct of knowing you belong to God.
  • Quote: "True confidence is a byproduct of belonging." – Steven Furtick [25:09]
  • He critiques exclusivity in church—“We've made the church so exclusive...but that's not the gospel. The gospel is not you can belong when you become. The gospel is you belong so you can become.” [26:10]

8. Personal Example: Being Called "Unqualified"

• [28:00] Furtick shares an anecdote where a respected theologian deemed him "unqualified" during a live broadcast.
  • Quote: "He summarized my whole ministry...with one word. Unqualified." – Steven Furtick [30:15]
• Rather than being shamed, Furtick found peace in accepting his "glitch," even sending a copy of his book titled Unqualified to the critic.
  • "Yeah, I'm unqualified. Yeah, I feel stupid sometimes. Yeah, I feel inadequate. But I'm also called." [32:00]

9. The Power of the "Glitch" in Ministry and Life

• [34:00] Discussing Paul's supposed weakness as an unimpressive speaker, Furtick flips the narrative: what if Paul's "glitch" is why his letters (which became Scripture) were written?
  • Quote: "If Paul had been a better speaker, would he have picked up his pen and written all those letters? His glitch was the gift that keeps on giving." – Steven Furtick [39:19]
• He applies this to real-life mentors, showing how their struggles (poverty, insecurity, etc.) became the root of their excellence.

10. Your Weakness as Your Secret Weapon

• [42:50] Furtick blends the sermon’s themes, reinforcing that your perceived disadvantages drive you to discover and develop your true strengths.
  • Quote: "Your weakness is about to become your portal to God's power." – Steven Furtick
• He calls on everyone to praise God for their glitch, encouraging acceptance and celebration of these “deficiencies” as pathways for God’s strength.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The gospel is not you can belong when you become. The gospel is you belong so you can become." – [26:10]
• "There's more to the stack than you can see on the surface. Touch somebody and say, I have layers." – [20:34]
• "It was because he couldn’t preach like Apollos that he wrote like Paul." – [39:44]
• "Your glitch is your gift." – Repeated encouragement during the final segment [46:00]
• "I'm not saying don't improve...I'm saying there is a glitch in all of us. That's a lie. There are multiple glitches in all of us." – [43:30]

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time (MM:SS) | Segment | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:50 | Introduction of the sermon and existential question | | 06:15 | Emotional movie stories & "Glitch Girl" (Wreck-It Ralph) | | 11:10 | The list of "unqualified" Biblical heroes | | 14:00 | Paul defending his credentials and facing insecurity | | 18:30 | "Look beneath the surface" money illustration | | 23:00 | True confidence is rooted in belonging | | 28:00 | The theologian's "unqualified" criticism story | | 34:00 | Paul's public speaking weakness and its impact | | 39:19 | "Paul’s glitch was the gift that keeps on giving" | | 42:50 | Real-life mentors and embracing personal glitches | | 46:00 | The call to embrace and celebrate your glitch |

Tone and Style

Steven Furtick delivers the message with humor, warmth, honesty, and deep encouragement. He mixes biblical insight, pop culture, and personal confession, making theological concepts accessible and emotionally resonant. His language is candid ("I'm going to skip that point at this stage somebody and say, miss me with that, Pastor Stephen"), and his delivery is energetic and relatable.

Actionable Takeaways

• Reflect on the “glitches” in your life—accept and explore them rather than hiding or resenting them.
• Understand that feeling unqualified or insecure does not disqualify you from God’s plans—often, it’s the raw material He uses most powerfully.
• True confidence comes from knowing you belong to God, not from outward achievement or alignment with appearances.
• Encourage others to see their own glitches as gifts—remind them often.

Concluding Encouragement

Furtick closes with a declaration and prayer, inviting listeners to celebrate their weaknesses as the very channel for God’s grace and glory.
"Father, in the name of Jesus, I declare over every glitchy person that the broken places in their lives and the cracks in their heart are about to become the spaces through which your glory most freely flows." – Steven Furtick [48:55]

Final Charge:
Your glitch is your gift—embrace it, celebrate it, and let God turn it into something that keeps on giving.