In this episode of the Savior & Lord Podcast, Hankelsys Gutierrez joins me for a conversation about choosing Faithfulness Over Feelings. Together, we explore some common ways the world’s allure can distract us from serving God wholeheartedly and from pursuing His will for our lives.

We also discuss practical ways to combat those distractions using the tools God has provided through His Word, prayer, Christian community, and faithful obedience.

Whether you’re wrestling with temptation, struggling to stay focused on God, or simply seeking encouragement in your walk with Christ, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on how these principles apply to your own life.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and God willing, we’ll have Hankelsys back again soon!

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

Quote of the day

“By perseverance the snail reached the ark. If I cannot do great things, I will do small things in a great way. I will be faithful in that which is least, and God will make me ruler over many things.” 

— Charles Spurgeon

Reflection

Today’s verse and quote remind us of the value of faithfulness, discipline, persistence, and focus. These traits are essential for breaking through the noise and serving God effectively (Hebrews 12:2). Our verse of the day encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, promising that in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart. 

This verse highlights how God honors steadfastness and continual obedience, even when results are not immediately visible. If we remain faithful in doing good, especially when it feels unnoticed or difficult, God sees that we are living out these characteristics in accordance with His will.

For example, practicing faithfulness might simply mean keeping your word (Proverbs 6:1-3), whether that is showing up on time to meet a friend (Ephesians 5:15-16), following through on a promise to pray for someone (James 5:16), or staying committed to reading your Bible daily even when you don’t feel inspired (Matthew 4:4). Persistent small acts like these allow God to work through us in ways we may not always see. 

We cannot assume that what happens in the spiritual realm is directly proportionate to the circumstances we perceive with our eyes (1 Corinthians 2:9). The small gestures that only God may notice can speak volumes compared to magnificent feats in the eyes of a broader audience. 

The scope of what we do matters, but it shouldn’t be our first priority. If we chase worldly success and validation, we miss the process of doing things God’s way (Isaiah 55:8-9). Remember your faithful seasons in obscurity, which God used to prepare you for the next part of your mission (Ephesians 3:8-13). From a spiritual point of view, these hidden times were no less important than your current role, with more responsibility and influence (Matthew 23:12).

Application

Some of us may not lead millions, but we may be called to lead a few people more deeply (Matthew 9:37-38). Depth and breadth in our work are not always mutually exclusive, and either way, we cannot measure which is better. We also don’t control the one God assigns to us (1 Corinthians 12:18). It is normal to want growth, but quality often matters more than quantity. We never want to water down God’s Word for the sake of growth (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The key is that we only seek it with motives grounded in God’s will and stay open to the changes God brings (Isaiah 43:19).

Have you encouraged someone this week? It’s the simple moments like these that compound for eternity. You may not realize it now, but a few kind words or a few minutes of attentive listening to someone can plant seeds of transformation we cannot quantify.

God noticed the poor widow’s obedience in her small but meaningful gift (Luke 21:1-4). He also saw the courage and influence of the Apostle Paul during his ministry (2 Timothy 4:7). Who are we to measure the eternal value of each act to God? Our best choice is to stay in our lane and aim for excellence in what we do for Him (Hebrews 12:1-2).

If our work for God now involves more responsibility or influence, we should treat it seriously. New seasons often include challenges and require us to ask God for fresh wisdom, guidance, protection, and support. We must trust that if God gives us new tasks, He also gives us the resources to complete them (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Failures, losses, and setbacks are normal parts of growth. Throughout Scripture, we see many faithful people experience hardship and obscurity before God used them in powerful ways (Proverbs 24:16).

Joseph was sold into slavery and wrongly imprisoned, but God raised him up to save many lives (Genesis 37:12-36). Moses spent years with the Israelites in the wilderness before witnessing the promised land (Exodus 15:22). David was overlooked and had to flee from Saul before becoming king after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 30:6, 1 Samuel 13:14). 

Like them, we do not truly live if we always play it safe and never take thoughtful risks. In these moments, we realize how much we need God to fill our gaps (Philippians 4:19). It is inspiring to see God clearly elevate someone, especially when only His power explains their success (Psalm 115:3). This shows that no one could overcome great challenges without God’s grace (2 Corinthians 9:8).

May we remain humble, knowing that all of the eternal value we have done, do, or will do is enabled by our Savior (James 4:10). Let’s commit to seeking Him first, using our gifts faithfully, and encouraging others. Without Him, we are nothing and have nothing. But with Jesus Christ on our side, we can be sure that we are more than conquerors, capable of great things when we keep our eyes on Him (Romans 8:37).

To put this message into practice, I want to invite each of us to a simple weekly challenge: intentionally encourage at least one person every day this week. Whether it is through a kind word, a short message, a prayer, or a helping hand, let’s look for opportunities to lift someone up. Small acts of encouragement can make a lasting impact, and they reflect God’s love to those around us (Hebrews 3:13).

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You, Father, for another day of life. Thank You for creating me and giving me purpose. Without You, I would be lost and unable to pursue anything meaningful.

I am thankful that You have involved me in Your plans despite my iniquities and shortcomings. Thank You for forgiving me. Please help me to repent of all my sins and seek You first at all times.

Please give me the discipline to serve You daily and surrender every part of my life to You.

Thank You, God, for enabling me to do great things. Please help me remember that the little gestures have outstanding significance in Your eyes.

Although I don’t always see their value, I know You do in ways I may never understand. I am thankful for the opportunities You have opened for me to grow, serve You, and focus on Your will.

Please help me not let distractions overcome me. I need to submit to Your timing for everything and continue to fight the good fight of faith.

Please equip me with wisdom, support, and a fresh dose of Your joy. I am certain Your strength is made perfect in my weakness, dear Father, and every day is a new opportunity to accomplish Your will.

I never want to lose sight of the urgency of Your mission for me and the scarcity of time we have on this earth. 

Although life is like a vapor, it may also feel like a marathon at times.

So, lastly, I want to ask that You help me not grow weary in doing good. Please help me remain bold, and please continue to use me to accomplish Your will even though You don’t need me to do so. 

May Your will be done in my life and the lives of those around me. Help me serve You boldly, step out in faith, and be intentional about making an impact for Your Kingdom today.

I pray in Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name.

Amen.

We should often remind ourselves to thank God for everything, from the smallest of material blessings to the largest of spiritual ones (1 Corinthians 15:57). We should keep a firm grasp on the fact that with Jesus Christ, we have all we need (Romans 11:36). Additionally, we can still appreciate the alternative blessings that He lavishes upon us. Refrain from letting the allure of the world captivate you into thinking that it is exclusively fame, money, power, influence, or materialism that will provide happiness (Romans 12:2).

If we play the comparison game, we will always find that we do not stack up on some level, which breeds envy, jealousy, and discontentment (Ecclesiastes 4:4, James 4:2-3). Instead, we must remember that our value stems from our identity as God’s children (Ephesians 2:10, Genesis 1:27). Additionally, He saw it fit to bless you with eyesight, internet access, shelter, and leisure time to learn about God and His Word. If you are alive and reading this, it is clear you are among the most blessed people on earth!

Hopefully, you already know Jesus Christ, but if you are not yet a believer, God has inspired you to read this article. Perhaps He prompted your heart and sparked a curiosity that led you to visit this page today. Do not chalk this up to mere coincidence. Today is the day of salvation, and there is no better time than the present to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you have not already done so (2 Corinthians 6:2). None of us should take for granted every day of mercy that God patiently provides for more people to come to saving faith through His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9).

When I struggle through a difficult time, feel disappointed, frustrated, or otherwise find myself in a negative state of mind, I try to remember how fortunate I am. We live in an era of human history where most people live under better circumstances than the royalty of prior centuries. Yet, surprisingly, many of our most significant obstacles are often manufactured by excess indulgences, luxuries, instant gratification, and comfort. Therefore, we need to exercise discipline and self-control to avoid being consumed by these seductive pitfalls. Some things are a blessing as long as we practice moderation, but the minute we overdo it, those same blessings can become a problem (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).

For instance, we can enjoy eating to some degree. Still, the moment we step into gluttony, we know we do more harm than good (Ezekiel 16:49, Philippians 3:19, Proverbs 28:7). It is reasonable to seek a life partner one day that we may eventually marry. Still, if we obsess about a specific person or idolize the gift of marriage, we set ourselves up for a rude awakening. Any time we attempt to substitute the longings in our hearts to worship and draw closer to God with anything else, we will not find lasting joy or satisfaction.

Notice that both of these examples can be blessings from God if they are done His way, in His timing, to the extent He desires for us (1 Corinthians 10:31, Proverbs 18:22, Genesis 2:18). However, we must be aware that even intrinsically good things can be detrimental to us. It is the Creator that we must worship, not His creation. The appetites of the flesh, including the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are insatiable. We must not cater to them, for they have the potential to consume us (1 John 2:16, Romans 6:23). Limited and finite things, even other human beings, cannot fill the void that only an unlimited, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God can (Psalm 16:11).

I encourage you to reflect and take inventory today about what you are thankful for and whether God remains your primary focus. As long as we keep our eyes on our Savior and immerse ourselves in His will, we will find that we will run the race of this life with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1). He gives us all we need to press forward and enjoy the journey (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, do not put yourself in a position where you look back on this life and fail to maximize the time for His glory (Ephesians 5:15-18, 1 Corinthians 10:31). God’s will for you is to immerse yourself in His purpose in light of His calling upon your life (Romans 8:28). Anything less is not living up to His will for you. Delight in God and derive satisfaction from fulfilling that mission (Psalm 37:4-7). It is only a matter of time before we reach the finish line on this side of Heaven and enjoy eternal life with Him (2 Timothy 4:7).

The particular form of restraint I wanted to focus on today involves restraining our tongues. In James 1:19-20, we read:

19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

When we speak, we can offer insight to others. However, it’s when we listen that we open the door to expanding our learning. Of course, a balance is pivotal because teaching does have its perks. Apart from the satisfaction of helping others who appreciate your advice, there’s the added benefit of solidifying to memory what you have recently learned. If we learn by reading, that’s good, but adding audio and visual cues to the same information is often the catalyst to better reinforcing them in our memories. The final avenue of affirming that information is to teach it. This last phase of recalling things to memory allows us to help others while we simultaneously benefit ourselves. However, when it comes to Biblical teaching, we need to be cautious before taking the role of a pastor or a teacher. We need to recognize the responsibility to deliver God’s truth as accurately as possible. The last thing we want is to mislead others based on an inaccurate interpretation of God’s Word. After all, those who teach in some form will be subject to a stricter judgment.

Restraining our tongues touches all these areas and many more that will go unmentioned in this article. One of the benefits of holding our peace and avoiding rash speech is to take in all the relevant information before we speak of it. It’s advantageous to all of us because it allows us to take a step back from an emotionally charged disposition and remain as objective as we can from our perspective. A premature response can lead us to say things in anger, worry, or sadness that we might regret a few minutes later. Such adverse outcomes are especially apparent in relationships where communication, patience, and forgiveness are paramount. Therefore, ideally, we should consolidate all the facts and understand things more comprehensively before our reply.

You and I aren’t capable of being angry without susceptibility to sin as God can be. His anger is perfectly justified and doesn’t impair his ability to thoroughly empathize with each person and their situation. We ought to rid ourselves of anger as soon as possible, so we don’t fall into a sinful snare. Even when our anger is justified, it should likely be short-lived. After all, we have wronged people, yet God has forgiven us. Who are we not to extend that same generous forgiveness to other loved ones in our proximity?

Restraining our tongue has additional benefits when we wield it for God’s glory. Our speech can be used to build up or tear down according to scripture. We’ve all seen this in action at some point in our lives as well. Whether we do the building and tearing or someone applying it to us, the key is recognizing its power and using it for good. Interestingly enough, it’s often the people that are closest to us who can build or destroy us most effectively. You and I would primarily care about how God viewed us and delight in His approval alone in an ideal situation. However, this isn’t a place that is quickly arrived. We may think ourselves more immune to the perception and opinions of others than we indeed are. Such sensitivity shouldn’t be cause for alarm, but it should lead us to contemplate what we can do to mitigate destructive forces. First, we need to surround ourselves with loved ones who don’t put us down and spend more time with people who motivate us instead. It isn’t always easy because we don’t choose our family, and we’ll typically spend most of our childhood into our young adult life with them whether we get along with them or not. In such cases, we need to make the best of it and pray for God to give us the strength to endure when the situation gets challenging.

The reality is we can control some things in our immediate circumstances, while other things are difficult to change. We need to learn to fix what is in our power to rectify and reduce the damage from the fixed inconveniences as best as we can. Everyone you and I know, ourselves included, is battling something. Sometimes it’s an inner struggle that involves things like worry, anxiety, or depression. Other times it might be a physical impairment or injury that we need to heal. Still yet other times, it may be external factors that don’t seem to have an easy solution. Perhaps you had a great job but lost it due to the pandemic, or maybe you recently experienced the passing of a loved one due to unforeseen health issues. In all these cases and all circumstances, we must recognize that God has not abandoned us. It may be hard to comprehend why he would allow such things to happen, but you’re never alone.

God will never leave you or forsake you. He is still in control amid the seemingly insurmountable chaos. He might calm the storm for you, or He may strengthen you to handle it better. One thing remains certain. We cannot lose our hope or faith in God because that makes us strong. Exercise restraint by avoiding the allure to doubt His promises. We must restrain ourselves from losing hope and faith in Jesus Christ. You don’t need to do this alone, for God will Himself give you grace enough to endure and eventually thrive again as He wills.

9 “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)