Podcast Summary: Elevation with Steven Furtick – When God Gives A Thought To You
Episode Information:
- Title: When God Gives A Thought To You
- Host: Stephen Furtick, Pastor of Elevation Church
- Release Date: July 27, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "When God Gives A Thought To You" from the Elevation with Steven Furtick podcast, Pastor Stephen Furtick delves deep into the profound concept of valuing and understanding the thoughts that God imparts to believers. Drawing from biblical scriptures, personal anecdotes, and relatable illustrations, Furtick emphasizes the significance of aligning one’s thoughts with divine guidance to navigate life's challenges effectively.
Valuing God's Thoughts
Psalm 139 as a Foundation
Furtick begins by establishing the foundation of his message with Psalm 139, highlighting the omnipresence and intimate knowledge God has of each individual.
"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. How vast is the sum of them." (02:58)
He underscores that God's thoughts are not only valuable but also extensive, encompassing every aspect of a believer's life—from relationships and possessions to career and emotions.
Tracking Actions to Thoughts
One of the central themes is the idea of tracing back actions to the thoughts that inspire them. Furtick encourages listeners to involve God in their thought processes rather than solely presenting problems to Him. This approach fosters a deeper connection and reliance on divine wisdom.
"I want to show you something today that I think is really, really easy to understand but so difficult to apply." (09:00)
Illustrative Stories and Personal Anecdotes
The Counting Crows Incident
Furtick shares a humorous yet insightful story about introducing the band Counting Crows to younger members of his team, only to discover they were unfamiliar with them. This anecdote serves as a metaphor for how outdated or undervalued thoughts can leave us feeling disconnected and out of place.
"How do you not hear of the Counting Crows? How many of you have not heard of the Counting Crows?" (10:00)
Conversation with His Daughter, Abby
In another relatable story, Furtick recounts calling his 14-year-old daughter Abby to share his thoughts, only to be met with confusion. This interaction leads him to reflect on how society often undervalues thoughtful conversation, equating thoughts with cheap currency.
"She's like, you at least have to adjust this for inflation if I'm going to give you a whole thought or plural thoughts." (13:00)
Guitar Vision and Patience
Furtick narrates a moment when he feared his guitar might fall out of his Jeep window, due to a vision he had. Instead of succumbing to panic, he chose to remain calm, attributing his composure to a godly thought that reassured him.
"I didn't cuss. Tell your neighbor I didn't cuss." (13:02)
God's Communication Methods
Impressions, Instructions, and Interruptions
Furtick outlines three primary ways God communicates His thoughts:
- Impressions: Subtle nudges or feelings that guide decisions.
- Instructions: Clear directives that require obedience.
- Interruptions: Unexpected events that redirect our focus and actions.
He emphasizes the importance of discerning genuine divine communication from personal biases or misleading thoughts.
"If you have a nice pair of sneakers, you would not dare wear them to a Dirty Love Week event." (14:00)
Application to Daily Life
Furtick advises listeners to actively seek out God's thoughts and integrate them into daily decision-making. By prioritizing divine guidance over personal desires or societal pressures, individuals can lead more purposeful and aligned lives.
"Do you come to the word of the Lord? I will ask you that every week." (24:05)
Biblical Illustration: The Story of Jonah
Jonah's Reluctance and God's Persistence
Using the story of Jonah, Furtick illustrates the consequences of harboring wrong thoughts that oppose God's instructions. Jonah's attempt to flee from God's directive to preach in Nineveh leads to a tumultuous storm, symbolizing the chaos that ensues when one distances themselves from divine guidance.
"Everyone standing please for the word of God, if you're physically able." (02:00)
The Cost of Wrong Thoughts
Furtick highlights the costs associated with resisting God's thoughts, using Jonah's experience aboard the ship and his subsequent ordeal as a cautionary tale. He stresses that misaligned thoughts not only lead to personal turmoil but also affect those around us.
"How much have the wrong thoughts cost you? Because God, your God, the God who speaks by impressions, instructions, and even interruptions, might be using this storm to give a thought to you." (37:50)
Transformation Through Obedience
Ultimately, Jonah's journey underscores the transformative power of submitting to God's thoughts. Furtick encourages listeners to embrace divine guidance proactively to avoid unnecessary hardships.
"God, give a thought to me. Show me how you think about me." (52:57)
Personal Reflections and Practical Applications
Replacing Negative Thoughts
Furtick shares his own struggles with negative thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing, and how embracing God's thoughts has helped him overcome these challenges. He advocates for a continuous process of seeking and integrating divine thoughts to foster personal growth and resilience.
"What have we served now? Over what? Over a million hours of service from this church in outreach." (61:48)
Encouragement to Listeners
He concludes by urging listeners to prioritize God's thoughts over their own, ensuring that their decisions and actions are aligned with divine purpose. Furtick emphasizes that by valuing and acting upon God's thoughts, individuals can lead more fulfilling and impactful lives.
"God, I pray right now that as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are your ways above our ways and your thoughts above our thoughts." (64:14)
Conclusion
In "When God Gives A Thought To You", Stephen Furtick masterfully intertwines scripture, personal anecdotes, and practical advice to convey the paramount importance of valuing and aligning with God's thoughts. By encouraging listeners to actively seek and integrate divine guidance into their daily lives, Furtick offers a pathway to deeper faith, purposeful living, and resilience in the face of life's storms.
Notable Quotes:
- "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. How vast is the sum of them." (02:58)
- "I want to show you something today that I think is really, really easy to understand but so difficult to apply." (09:00)
- "God, give a thought to me. Show me how you think about me." (52:57)
- "God's thoughts are vast. They are valuable and they are vast." (20:29)
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, promotional material, and non-content sections to focus solely on the core message and discussions presented by Pastor Stephen Furtick in the episode.