Keep It Positive, Sweetie — Ep. "Listening to the Voice of God While Battling Restlessness in This Season"

Guest: Jonathan McReynolds
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Date: Feb 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This candid conversation features Grammy-winning gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, who joins Crystal Renee Hayslett to talk honestly about listening for God's voice during seasons of restlessness and heaviness. Together, they discuss the pressures of living faith out loud, the importance of self-awareness, cycles of personal growth, wise counsel, and finding identity apart from public perception. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes, relatable struggles, and practical encouragement for anyone navigating confusion, disappointment, or the desire to be seen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Checking In: Carrying Heaviness and Restlessness

• Opening with a heart-check, Jonathan admits to feeling "a little heavy" because of both world events and personal pressure, despite feeling blessed and optimistic.
  • Quote:
    “A daily dose of society is a little overwhelming.…I do feel a little heaviness in this season.” — Jonathan (03:50)
• Crystal echoes this, sharing her own prayers for clarity about her role amid the noise and chaos of current times.
• Both acknowledge the tension between wanting to act and needing to rest in God's sovereignty.

2. The Pressure of Platform vs. Private Faith

• Jonathan talks about managing the expectation to respond publicly but emphasizes the importance of prioritizing oneself, family, and private conversations.
  • Quote:
    “Sometimes the number one priority is one—You. Two—Just your people, your family, your friends.” — Jonathan (05:41)
• Recognizes that not every insight or reaction needs to be shared publicly—sometimes God calls for quiet.
  • Quote:
    “There’s been times I’ve been ready to go because there’s just so much going on. And God, it’s a quiet whisper. He’s like, I’m in control of this. I got it. I don’t need you saying nothing. Let me handle it.” — Crystal (06:34)

3. Faith as a Daily Practice—Not a Destination

• Living faith “out loud” is a daily journey; there’s no graduation to perfection.
• Jonathan distinguishes between status (being God’s child) and performance (good or bad days do not change that).
  • Quote:
    “You’re a son. You’re a daughter of God. And from that place, I do things or not do things….When you were doing terribly, you were no less of a son. And when you’re doing amazing, you’re no more of a son.” — Jonathan (08:28)

4. The Complexity of Public and Private Identity

• Being in the spotlight as a believer brings challenges—public mistakes and triumphs are scrutinized.
• Jonathan notes he’s never been a musician or Christian in private; they all developed together, complicating his sense of self outside what’s expected of him.
  • Quote:
    “God and people will sound the same….People’s happiness and approval is not the voice of God.” — Jonathan (10:40, 11:48)

5. Navigating Disappointment and Spiritual Uncertainty

• Both discuss moments when God feels silent or distant.
• Jonathan urges people to “keep doing what you were doing” even when unclear, and emphasizes that God often “hides himself on purpose” to invite pursuit and deeper relationship.
  • Quote:
    “We have to work out our salvation in fear and trembling….95% of the time [silence is] so you can reach, so you can do. Try something different and so you can pray a little bit more….” — Jonathan (15:04, 16:08)

6. Repeating Lessons & Cyclical Growth

• Jonathan uses his song “Cycles” to admit he too struggles with recurring lessons—particularly in wanting immediate comfort or connection over long-term relationship with God.
  • Quote:
    “The devil learns from your mistakes even if you don’t.…Doing the wrong thing doesn’t feel that bad. It takes a while for it to blow up.” — Jonathan (17:10)
• He’s open about writing from his own cycles, not just pointing to others’ struggles.

7. Character Before Climbing: Insights from His Book

• Discusses the dangers of seeking success without the inner foundation of character, humility, and spiritual alignment.
  • “Mountains look amazing from back here, to be on a mountain is hell…A lot of our mistakes happen because we’re tired…Mistakes start to happen, loss of identity starts to happen…” — Jonathan (20:09, 21:15)
• Emphasizes the need to step down and rest, to reconnect with identity before spotlight or titles.

8. Loneliness, Self-Acceptance, and Applause Addiction

• Both reflect on the difficulty of loneliness, especially in public roles where external approval can become addictive.
• Jonathan discusses the importance of seeing oneself and not relying on the validation of others for self-worth.
  • “All those times where I was hoping somebody saw me, I don’t know that I really saw myself.…Normally, I need other people to do for me stuff that I was supposed to do for myself.” — Jonathan (25:55, 26:34)

9. Wise Counsel, Therapy, and the Power of Community for Men

• Jonathan shares about building his own council for accountability and guidance, admitting that even as strong men, we need support and boundaries (“guardrails”).
  • “If it weren’t for God’s grace, or some of the people around me, I would have had a lot more gutter balls in front of everybody that turned out to be spares and strikes…” — Jonathan (33:23)
• Advocates for the importance of male community and group chats for healthy emotional expression (“A good group chat is going to save mankind.” — 35:36)

10. Creative Process and Themes from New Album ‘Closer’

• Talks about the motivation for live recording—wanting a sound and message more connected and vibrant for his current season.
• Lyrically, the album focuses on drawing close to God, knowing Him as “Father,” and accessing spiritual inheritance.
  • “Not just the one…that changes with whoever’s talking…but the real me. And really find the confidence and the status…” — Jonathan (39:46)
• Sonically inspired by 80s greats, with more upbeat, electric guitar-driven tracks.

11. Striving for Honesty & Inspiration in Art

• Discusses balancing honesty and positivity in gospel music; concludes that honesty is inherently inspirational.
  • “Even the most specific thing about you is going to free somebody else. Your honesty is inspiring.” — Jonathan (41:10)

12. Final Word: God’s Capacity for Us

• Jonathan closes with a poignant encouragement to anyone feeling unseen or unheard:
  • “God has the capacity for you…You can go to Him with the raw stuff, with the messed up stuff, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and he can take it. He ain’t afraid of you.” — Jonathan (43:44)
  • Advises embracing this access and being “bold” in bringing one’s real self to God.

13. Unapologetic Confidence

• When asked what he’s unapologetic for in this season:
  • “This year, I’m unapologetically good. I’m unapologetically competent. I’m unapologetically ready for every stage, every room.” — Jonathan (44:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Present Anxiety & Presence
  “We wanna be the…We wanna see justice. It’s just human to want to see what the seeds that you plant grow up to be.” – Jonathan (06:57)
• On Perfectionism in Faith
  “Most of the time you have to pick up a cross every day. Every day you have to get daily bread.” – Jonathan (08:10)
• On Male Vulnerability
  “A good group chat is going to save mankind.” – Jonathan (35:36)
• On the Need for Approval
  “Now you need it every single time. And, yeah, we can. That’s how you get lost in it. People think that it’s…quick…Nah, it’s subtle.” — Jonathan (28:29)
• On Having Wise Counsel
  “Bible says that there’s safety in a multitude of counsel. And I need y'all because I want to be safe.” – Jonathan (30:48)
• On God’s Capacity & Unconditional Acceptance
  “Go to Him with the raw stuff…the good, the bad, and the ugly, and He can take it. He ain’t afraid of you.” – Jonathan (43:44)
• On Unapologetic Self-Belief
  “I’m unapologetically competent…I ain’t gonna keep second guessing myself, period.” – Jonathan (44:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:50 — Jonathan on heaviness & current events
• 05:40 — Platform pressure & private conversations
• 08:28 — Faith as daily status, not performance
• 10:40 — Managing public identity as a believer/artist
• 15:04 — When God feels silent/practical perseverance
• 17:10 — Learning from recurring mistakes (“Cycles”)
• 20:09 — Lessons from “Before You Climb Any Higher” book
• 25:34 — Addressing loneliness & self-seeing
• 33:23 — Guardrails, wise counsel, and men’s mental health
• 36:46 — Group chats & healthy male vulnerability
• 39:46 — Creative process behind album “Closer”
• 41:10 — Honesty as inspiration in faith art
• 43:44 — God’s capacity for our whole selves
• 44:56 — Unapologetic competence & self-worth

Tone & Style

The conversation is open, authentic, compassionate, and unguarded. Both Crystal and Jonathan balance vulnerability with grounded faith and practical wisdom. The show’s signature warmth and encouragement shine throughout, fostering a genuine, healing sense of community.

For Listeners

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever:

• Questioned your purpose or role during confusing times
• Struggled with public vs. private faith or craving approval
• Repeated the same personal cycles or lessons
• Felt unseen, unheard, or tired on your journey
• Desired practical wisdom for mental/emotional health, especially as a man
• Wanted to draw closer to God and live authentically

Listen for: Sincere, comforting insights on spiritual restlessness, and unvarnished truths about walking with God in today's world.