Hidden Potential

1. God Uses Imperfect People: Embrace Your Potential

God doesn’t want to change what makes you, you.

Worthwhile possibility. Despite our imperfections, God sees potential in each of us. Like Moses, who had a troubled past and an uncertain future, we can still be used mightily for God's glory. This book encourages readers to recognize that their potential isn't tied to their perfection.

Broken and beautiful. God's plan isn't to "fix" our flaws but to show His power through them, making our faith stronger. We are broken yet beautiful, accepted just as we are. This perspective shifts the focus from self-improvement to surrendering to God's transformative power.

Examples of God's chosen people. The Bible is filled with examples of imperfect people whom God used for His kingdom. Moses, despite his faults, led the Israelites out of slavery. Esther, despite her fear, saved her people from destruction. God's power is made perfect in our weakness.

2. Failure Is a Stepping Stone, Not a Stumbling Block

Failure may fracture our faith, but it doesn’t have to destroy it.

Inevitable, not defining. Failure is a universal experience, but it doesn't have to define us. Moses's life teaches us that failure may fracture our faith, but it doesn't have to destroy it. Our response to failure is what truly matters.

Sin vs. failure. It's important to distinguish between sin and failure. Sin requires forgiveness from God, while failure may not, unless prompted by the Spirit. Confession and reconciliation are key to moving forward after sin.

Learning from mistakes. Failure can be a powerful teacher, providing valuable lessons and insights. By responding to failure correctly, we can turn it into a tool for growth and development. God knew exactly how we would fail and still chose us to participate in His kingdom work.

3. Fear Is an Invitation to Trust, Not a Reason to Retreat

Perfect love expels all fear.

Anything real or imagined. Fear is anything real or imagined that brings up thoughts of pain, suffering, loss, and doubt of God’s love. It's a normal part of life, but it shouldn't dictate our actions. The antidote to fear is trust in God.

Overpowering fear. We must overpower in-the-moment fear so that it doesn’t become way-of-life fear. This is only possible when we allow our lives to intersect with God’s Word to change our thinking and build a trust relationship with God.

The fear that frees. The reverential awe or deep respect for God recognizes His power and creates an overwhelming desire to submit to His greatness. This fear sets us free from the traps of anxiety and doubt. God doesn’t count our fear against us.

4. Frailties Can Be Strengths in Disguise

Frailty: something we didn’t and don’t have control over but can still be used for our good and God’s glory.

God's perspective. God doesn't look at our abilities; He looks at our availability. Our lacks don't matter to God. When we are willing to walk in faith and right fear, God works in us and through us in spite of what we lack.

Moses's example. Moses's frailties, such as his lack of eloquence, didn't disqualify him from serving God. Instead, God provided Aaron to assist him. God specializes in seeing the possible in people.

Surrender and transformation. When we submit our frailties to God, He can transform them into strengths. Joni Eareckson Tada's story illustrates how God can use our weaknesses to strengthen us and demonstrate His power. God wants to use our weaknesses to strengthen us, rather than weigh us down.

5. Faults Can Be Managed, Not Just Excused

Faults: things that we have control over but sometimes we allow to control us.

Recognize and admit. It's important to recognize and admit our faults, rather than making excuses for them. Faults can quickly discredit our character and, when left unchecked, can lead to character destruction.

Spirit-sensitive. Knowing Scripture won’t make us faultless, but it will make us Spirit sensitive. We must distinguish sin and failure in order to deal with them correctly. Otherwise our potential will be hidden, and this is exactly how the enemy wants us—pent up from fulfilling our potential by a wall of unresolved failures.

Antidote for faults. The antidote for our faults is found in God's Word. By planting His truth deep in our hearts and minds, we can counteract the negative effects of our faults. God is for us, not against us.

6. Recommit to God's Covenant for a Fresh Start

Salvation is the first step in believing that God can do.

New covenant. The new covenant, established through Jesus's sacrifice, offers freedom and grace. Unlike the old covenant, it's not based on our performance but on God's unconditional love.

Acceptance and recommitment. We can recommit ourselves to recognizing the awesomeness of Jesus’s sacrifice and gift of salvation. We need to determine to submit ourselves to the truths of God’s Word and their work in our lives so we can live fully in our potential just as Moses did.

Freedom in Christ. Following Jesus is about freedom, not rules and regulations. It's about an endless supply of love, mercy, and grace that we did nothing to deserve and can do nothing to lose. We have to keep believing that God can even when He isn’t at the moment.

7. Return to God for Guidance and Restoration

We have to keep believing that God can even when He isn’t at the moment.

Seeking God's face. After recommitting to the covenant, we must return to God for guidance and restoration. This involves seeking His face, listening to His voice, and obeying His commands.

God's faithfulness. God is faithful to lead us, even when we stumble. He will never leave us or forsake us. We can trust Him to work all things together for our good. God is for us, not against us.

Transformation. God wants to transform our weakness to power, regret to purpose, and anxiety to peace. He can take what has wrongly defined and misdirected us and use it to demonstrate His power. Jesus can handle our temporary uncertainty.

8. Remember God's Faithfulness to Fuel Your Future

God sees your potential and believes you are a worthwhile possibility.

Looking back. Remembering God's faithfulness in the past can fuel our future. By reflecting on His provision, protection, and guidance, we can gain confidence to face whatever lies ahead.

God's promise. God promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age. We can trust in His unwavering love and commitment to us. God is El Roi, the God who sees. He sees our fears. He sees our faults. He sees our failures and frailties.

Moving forward. We can move forward with hope and confidence, knowing that God is working all things together for our good. He has a plan for our lives, and He will never give up on us. God determines your destiny.

Last updated: February 26, 2025