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.

Other times, we will seek confirmation about vital life choices. We might want to know if it’s time to take the next step in a relationship, a career choice, or another critical juncture (1 Peter 1:13). But sometimes, the only way to determine whether things will work out is to keep moving forward one action at a time (James 1:22). It is better to take incremental steps toward a greater goal than to rush into something prematurely and unprepared (Proverbs 16:9).

Are you unsure if God is giving you the green light to get married? Keep dating and pray for clarity. Do you need help to decide whether to transition from your current job to another employer? Keep working and pray for God to open and close doors that pertain to employment as He sees fit (Proverbs 3:5-6). Is it plausible that God wants to teach you something where you are right now and wants you to be patient (Romans 8:24-25)? Pray for wisdom to determine if you’re missing out on a lesson or if it’s time to make a more substantial adjustment (James 1:5-8). So, ultimately, we aim to balance aligning our desires with God’s timing and continue preparing for the future (Ecclesiastes 3:17).

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom

Look back a year, several years, or even a decade. Hasn’t God always been faithful to help you overcome every obstacle? He has a perfect track record (Romans 5:5). Why would you start doubting Him now? When you look back, do you see that there’s been significant progress in your life? Sometimes, it may be a slow progression from our perspective, but in God’s eyes, it’s the perfect timeline. We don’t have to measure our success based on the speed at which others operate. There will be people who may appear to have an advantage over us in several areas of life, but often, they may even feel the same way about us. Even if we counted all of it as a loss, it would be worth it if it were necessary to gain Jesus Christ in return (Philippians 3:8).

In any case, we don’t know what they sacrificed to get where they are. So, instead of staring at greener grass on their side of the fence, we should applaud the success of our peers and keep an eye on our lawn care instead. Their blessings don’t interfere with God’s timing for our blessings (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The mistake lies in spending too much time and effort focusing on their gains rather than our victory in Jesus Christ (Psalm 118:14).

Instead of spending excessive time on social media or daydreaming about those around us, we should be investing in God’s will for us. We should concentrate on the things above and navigate life with an eternal mindset (Colossians 3:2). There’s no superior way to conduct our lives than doing everything for God’s glory and our ultimate good. If we love God and He calls us according to His purpose, we know that God guarantees this outcome for eternity (Romans 8:28). Does that always pan out how we want to in this life? No, but that’s where our faith comes in. A faith that in and of itself is a gift from God to us (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

We cannot find fulfillment in the things of this world (1 John 2:17). Only in God and a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, can we find our anchor of hope (Hebrews 6:19-20). He is the sole source able to complete the gigantic, missing puzzle piece in our hearts (Psalm 107:9). Without Him, we have nothing and cannot produce anything of eternal value (John 15:5). With Him, we have everything, including the blessing of sharing eternity in heaven with Him forever (1 John 2:24-25)! If we try to find personal satisfaction in the limited things here on earth, we will always come up short (Ecclesiastes 1:14). 

Nothing can appease us in the long term without God being at the center (Psalm 16:11). Apart from God, people feed the insatiable appetites of their flesh, and unmet expectations abound. A man or woman of God knows they cannot find lasting joy, satisfaction, contentment, or blessings in this world apart from God (1 John 2:16). We cannot even discover it in the good things when we idolize them over God who provides every good and perfect gift in its time (James 1:17). Sometimes, God may not offer specific opportunities until we’re ready to handle them and steward them graciously. Otherwise, we may get lost in the blessing and lose sight of the bigger picture found in His plan (2 Peter 3:9).

We must be open to the idea that since God gives us everything, He also has the authority to take away anything at any time He pleases (Psalm 24:1; Job 1:21). However, we know His character is unchanging, and His promises are irrevocable (Hebrews 13:8). For instance, God is not taking away that eternal gift of fellowship He gave you through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). You don’t have to worry about losing your salvation if you have found it in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). But it would be tragic if that promise led you to backslide or compromise your faith at every turn (Romans 6:1-2). Instead, it should inspire us to do good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:10). We must cling tightly to God’s promises and understand that some are conditioned based on our obedience. We must also distinguish between principles and promises to avoid confusion, but that is beyond the scope of today’s article.

May God equip all of us to seek Him above all else. May we walk in the victory Jesus Christ already won. Jesus Christ is our forerunner in the faith. He fully understands the gravity of what we go through regarding every aspect of humanity, including our trials and temptations (Hebrews 6:19-20). He alone can empathize with us on the deepest level and comfort us in times of need. The One who bottles our tears and counts the hairs on our heads will not abandon or forsake us (Psalm 56:8-11; Luke 12:7; Hebrews 13:5). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. May we bring God glory in all our endeavors and submit to His will by aligning our desires with His (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In today’s video, we cover James 5:7-12. Let’s consider how to persevere through life’s trials and challenges. How did people like Daniel and Job overcome their battles with daunting circumstances? Explore these ideas and related scripture to obtain our ultimate peace and reassurance in Jesus Christ!

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Note: I recommend you never substitute my instruction or anyone else’s for your time in the Bible. I can only hope to deliver accurate exegesis and do my best to keep it free from error. Feel free to reach out if you have a Biblically sound reason to correct me on any of my content.