50. Q&A: Is it Possible to have it all? Can you have both Faith and Success?

In today's episode, I'm diving deep into the common struggles we face in life, including setbacks, doubts, and the internal conflict between our dreams and our faith. We'll explore how to navigate these challenges and find practical strategies for managing this tension in our hearts.

Whether you're searching for the right partner, a fulfilling career, or simply trying to figure out life's purpose, this episode will offer insights and guidance. Join me as I discuss the power of faith, the importance of trusting God's plan, and the practical steps you can take to integrate your faith into your passions and callings.

Key Takeaways:

• The struggle of divided focus: Many people face the challenge of balancing their faith with worldly ambitions.
• The power of faith: Trusting in God's plan can guide us through setbacks and uncertainties.
• Integrating faith and passions: It's possible to pursue your dreams while maintaining a strong connection with God.
• Practical steps: Invite God into your dreams, take small steps of faith, and build a supportive community.

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 6:24: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth."   
• Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
• Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
• John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Call to Action:

-Listen to Episode 48: "One Foot In, One Foot Out: Where to go from Here?" to delve deeper into the themes we discussed today. We explore the challenges of doubt, internal tension, and how to navigate these obstacles on your journey. 

-I'd love to hear from you: What are your desires that you have yet to see fulfilled in your life? Share with me so that I can pray for you. 

Thanks for listening! Your support means the world. Join our Curious for Christ Facebook Group and become an Insider for weekly inspiration and encouragement.

Transcript

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Welcome to curious for Christ today's episode is about addressing a common feeling. We want to believe and follow Christ wholeheartedly, but we also feel torn between the world's expectations and our faith. So this feeling might show up in different ways. You may be someone who has had set back. So it delays in pursuing your dreams. I've had plenty of moments in my life where my dream seemed out of reach. And my past took me in completely unexpected directions. I moved to the United States from Europe to pursue acting. But then hit setbacks with immigration. After that, I got married and had children, but then more delays with immigration issues. And once those were resolved, I ended up starting a different career that provided a steady paycheck. But even that eventually came to an end. So through it all, I've learned a lot about holding on to faith. But you may also be someone who feels like they are always half committed. Or someone who has worldly success, but it's missing a deeper connection with God. So listen up and let's talk about, is it possible to have it all? Can you have both faith and success? Let's go. Welcome to curious for Christ. Do you ever find yourself lying awake at night? Wondering about God's plan for your life. Maybe you wake up with big dreams, but feel unsure where to start or what your next step should be. If you're curious about exploring your faith and finding purpose, then you've come to the right place. Hi, I'm Monica, Sandra. I too felt lost unsure of the direction my life was taking. I yearned to understand my purpose and have someone guide me. But I kept telling myself I was too busy, the timing wasn't right. And my lack of clarity prevented me from being consistent until I found Christ. He brought peace into my life and we field the way to find purpose by anchoring myself. In him. In this podcast, we'll journey together, exploring the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of him. and cultivate your own personal relationship with Christ. So open up your Bible, put in those ear buds and listen up because God is speaking to you. He is making everything new and you don't want to miss it. Let's get started. So segment one, I wanted to talk about the tension of a divided focus. It's the idea of having one foot in and one foot out. And if you want to dig deeper into this subject, make sure to listen to last Wednesday's episode. Number 48. I believe. And, so the idea to have one foot in one foot out and how it leaves us feeling unfulfilled. No matter where we stand, whether it's someone with same or outwardly success or someone who had to put dreams on hold. Many people around me pursued their dreams in sports or acting, but in the process left their faith behind. And when I try to follow my heart and pursue my own dreams many times over. It never really felt blessed as if God wasn't in it. All the time. I realized that even though I loved acting. The way I was going about it didn't feel right. And if I'm honest, I wasn't truly enjoying it. So sometimes the way we pursue what God has placed on our hearts, doesn't align with how God wants to work through us. It's easy to push God aside after facing setbacks. And try to move forward on our own. But Proverbs 19 verse 21 reminds us many are the plans in a person's heart. But it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. We may have our own plans, but it's God's purpose that will ultimately guide us in the right way. Know that this tension is universal. I mean, I don't know anyone who hasn't had it. And even if we achieve outward success or recognition, they're still. An internal struggle when we're not fully committed to something deeper. And the same goes with finding a partner, finding the wan, for example, God has plans as to how things will fall into place in our lives. Can you relate? So, Matthew six verse 24 says no one can serve two masters. You can not serve both God and money. This scripture definitely speaks to this divided life trying to serve both God and worldly ambitions. But it doesn't mean we abandoned our dreams, but rather that we bring God into our dreams. And allow him to guide them. We need to trust God. And it can feel uncomfortable because we may feel powerless. And in today's time, we like to feel powerful. The empowerment. Our rights fighting far rights. And even that seems like a godly pursuit. Could be sometimes further from where God wants to guide us. What if he doesn't give us what we want? Sometimes it does feel like we couldn't be further away. From. That desired. Outcome. But yesterday, and I wanted to share that I stumbled upon Psalm 16, verse two. You are my Lord. From you. I have no good thing. And it was really a deep reminder. It brought instant peace to my heart. Because God alone is my portion and my cup verse five. Meaning he is my ultimate reward. He is what I'm seeking. He is what I need. And apart from him. Nothing is good. Not even desires of my heart. The things that I want to think that God put in my heart, whether it's a relationship or. Uh, career or. Anything. God has to be first. And the only one. I'm going to leave you with that. That's segment want that tension? Segment two. The myth of the either or life. So. Now I want to talk about the myths. Many people buy into that. It's either we pursue our dreams. Whether it is, you know, again, for me acting or a business or a success. Or a relationship. Or we follow God, it's either that I pursue this or I follow God. And I wanted to challenge that notion a little bit, because that never brought peace to me either. And there are so many examples. From the Bible of people who have integrated faith into their talents and calling. Whether they're artists, entrepreneurs, or leaders, Esther, for instance, was a strategic leader. Through her beauty and position is a queen. She was able to save her people. She didn't initially seek the role, but she trusted God's timing and guidance. Her uncle Mordecai reminded her. And that's from Esther four. First 14 and who knows, but that you may have come to this Royal position. For such a time as this. As to integrated her faith and courage into her calling as a queen using her position to serve God's greater purpose. Joseph was an administrator and a dreamer. Joseph was a gifted dreamer and administrator who faced numerous setbacks. From being sold into slavery to imprisonment. However, Joseph never lost faith in God's plan for him. Eventually his gift of interpreting dreams led to his rise to power in Egypt, where he saved many from famine. And you can read that in Genesis 41 verses 39 and 40. He used his gifts for administration and leadership in line with God's purposes. The same way acting doesn't have to be separate from my faith. In fact, it can be a space where God uses me to connect with others, inspire others and bring light, but it's going to have to be in his timing. And according to his plan. So for those in a one foot, in one foot out phase, I want to acknowledge how hard it can be to commit fully whether it's in your face in a career again, or relationships. And especially when there are setbacks or uncertainties. It's easy to hold back. Because we're afraid of getting hurt. Or we're feeling like we're not on the right path and then we hesitate and then we don't do anything, but let me encourage you. God sees the bigger picture, just like Joseph, who faced setback after setback, before realizing his true calling. Your waiting period or uncertainty isn't wasted. God is working in your life, even when you don't see it. Take that step of faith trust. God. And he will lead you in the right direction. For those seeking a romantic relationship. If you're looking for the one and feeling like it's taking longer than expected, remember that God's timing is perfect. Proverbs three verses five and six says. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean, not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Trust that God knows your hearts desire and that he has a plan for you, even in your relationships. Sometimes setbacks are there to prepare you. To mold your heart. For the right person at the right time. Keep your faith in God's process. And don't rush ahead of him. His plans. Uh, always better than your own. And for those with we're at least success, but lacking fulfillment. You might have achieved success in your career finances, or even in the eyes of others, but still feel a lack of peace and purpose. So it's either do I have to have more because there's always someone with more or really see that there's something. A little deeper there. That's missing and I encourage you to ask yourself. What is missing? The world may offer temporary satisfaction. They may keep you really distracted. About what's missing and what's really important. And know also that it doesn't provide lasting peace. That peace comes from God alone. Philippians four verse seven reminds us. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ. Jesus. If you find yourself wondering why success hasn't brought fulfillment or whether you should have more. Invite God into that space. And he fills the void in ways the world never can. In John 10 verse 10, Jesus says I have come that they may have life and have it to the full, this full life includes both purpose and passion and God wants to fill. Every area of our lives, even our dreams. So segments, we, how to take the next step. Both feet in. So here are three practicals here. First invite God into your dreams. Pray and ask God for an ask for God's guidance in your calling and passion. God cares about every aspect of your life. Number two. Act in faith, take small steps in faith. Whether that means stepping back in a long forgotten dream or putting your face first in a new way. Uh, and then number three, community and accountability. It is. Very important. It's crucial to surround yourselves with people who can support both your face. And your goals. So you can find a balance that strengthens and not divides. So don't live divided anymore. Matthew 12 verse 25 Jesus says every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation and every city or house divided against itself will not stand in this verse. Jesus is addressing the fair season, emphasizing that division leads to collapse. It's a reminder that whether it's a kingdom or a house, or even our hearts and lives, we can't thrive if we're divided in our loyalties or commitments. So, choose your dreams and go fully in it. Or choose God. And the Bible does say, if you seek that first, everything else will be given to you. But it's still your choice to make. Definitely don't be divided because just as a divided kingdom cannot stand. We must be wholehearted in our pursuit of God and his plans for our lives. Rather than being split between worldly pursuits and our faith. Let's pray. Father God, we come before you with hearts open. Seeking your guidance in all that we do. I just thank you for the talents and the dreams that you've pleased within us. And I asked for the wisdom also to pursue them in a way that honors you. Help us God to fully commit to you. Trusting that even in our setbacks and uncertainties, you are working out a greater plan for our lives. Teach us to seek you first, knowing that when we please our trust in you, you will guide our steps. Give us the courage to surrender our desires into your hands and to trust that your purpose for us is greater than we can imagine. We pray for peace and clarity. And the strengths to stay faithful as we pursue the things we love, knowing that you are with us. Every step of the way. In Jesus' name. I pray a man. So I want to leave you with a scripture Philippians one verse six. He who began a good work in, you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. Jesus. God is at work. Stay close to him. And bye for now. Hi, I hope you enjoy today's episode. If so, would you like to take 30 seconds and share it with a friend who may also struggle with knowing God and his purpose for their life? Also leave. A review on apple podcasts and let me know what topics you'd like to hear about in the future. Your voice matters. I'll meet you back next Friday for another episode.