Understanding Your Potential - Discovering the Hidden You

1. Potential is Untapped Ability, Waiting to Be Unleashed

Potential is...dormant ability...reserved power...untapped strength... unused success.. .hidden talents.. .capped capability.

More than meets the eye. Potential isn't about what you've already accomplished; it's about what you're capable of accomplishing. It's the dormant ability, the reserved power, the untapped strength residing within you, waiting for the right moment and the right catalyst to be unleashed. Think of a seed: it's not just a seed, it's a forest waiting to emerge.

Success can be an enemy. One of the biggest obstacles to realizing your full potential is settling for past successes. Don't let what you've already done define the limits of what you can do. Keep pushing, keep exploring, and never be satisfied with your last accomplishment.

Potential never retires. The journey of maximizing your potential is a lifelong pursuit. It demands continuous growth, learning, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Don't let age, circumstances, or past failures hold you back from pursuing the untapped resources within you.

2. God, the Source, Determines Your Unlimited Potential

The potential of a thing is related to its source.

Everything originates from God. Before anything existed, there was God. He is the root, the source, of all life and all potential. Everything that was, is, or ever will be was first contained within Him. This understanding is crucial because it reveals the limitless nature of your own potential.

Omnipotence is key. God is omnipotent, meaning He is potentially everything. He has within Him the potential for all that is, was, or ever will be. As His creation, you carry a spark of that same omnipotence. This doesn't mean you are equal to God, but it does mean that your potential is far greater than you can possibly imagine.

God's demands reveal your potential. The demands God places on your life are not arbitrary; they are a reflection of the potential He has already placed within you. When God calls you to love your enemies, to forgive others, or to pursue a specific purpose, He is not asking you to do something you are incapable of. He is simply calling forth the potential that already exists within you.

3. Discovering Your Identity Starts with Knowing Your Creator

When God looks at you, He sees things that everybody else ignores.

You are not junk. The world may overlook you, reject you, or even throw you away, but God sees something valuable within you. He sees potential that others cannot see. Don't let the opinions of others define your worth.

God sees beyond the surface. God doesn't see you as a failure, a mistake, or a nobody. He sees you as a masterpiece in progress, a vessel of potential waiting to be unleashed. He saw a world in Adam, nations in Abraham, and a king in a shepherd boy. He sees the same potential in you.

You came out of God. When God created human beings, He spoke to Himself. You are not just another creature; you are a part of God, bearing His image and likeness. This means you possess a spark of His divine nature, a potential that is far greater than you can possibly imagine.

4. Sin Clogs Potential; Jesus Unclogs It

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Satan's mission is destruction. Satan is the enemy of your potential. He seeks to minimize, nullify, and destroy the gifts and abilities that God has placed within you. He uses deception, lies, and sin to clog up your potential and prevent you from becoming all that you were created to be.

Jesus came to destroy the destroyer. Jesus came to wage war against satan and his destructive forces. He came to destroy the works of the devil, to break the chains of sin, and to set you free from the limitations that have been holding you back. He is the ultimate "unclogger" of your potential.

Sin caps your well. Sin distorts your self-concept, destroys your true intelligence, and caps off your life potential. It convinces you that you are worthless, incapable, and unable to rise above your circumstances. But Jesus came to reverse this process, to tear off the cap, and to unleash the abundance of life that is within you.

5. Wisdom, Not Just Knowledge, Unlocks True Potential

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom (Proverbs 4:7).

Potential needs wisdom. Potential is dormant ability, but it needs wisdom to be properly directed and effectively utilized. Wisdom is the ability to discern truth, to make sound judgments, and to apply knowledge in a way that produces positive results.

Worldly wisdom is foolishness. The wisdom of the world, which is based on human reasoning and sensual experience, is often foolishness in God's eyes. It can lead you astray, blinding you to your true potential and causing you to make choices that are ultimately destructive.

God's secret wisdom. God has given you a secret wisdom, a hidden understanding that is beyond the grasp of the world. This wisdom is the key to knowing who you are, what you were created to be, and what you are capable of doing. It is a priceless jewel that can unlock the full potential of your life.

6. You Were Born on Purpose, Not by Accident

You are here because God wanted you to be born.

God planned your life. Before you were even born, God had a plan for your life. He knew you, He created you with care, and He deposited within you the potential to fulfill His purpose. You are not a mistake, an accident, or an afterthought. You are a deliberate creation of God, designed for a specific purpose.

You are not a mistake. Even if your conception was unplanned or unwanted, your existence is not a mistake. God allowed you to be born because He has a purpose for your life. He saw you in your mother's womb and tenderly created you, knowing the potential that lay within you.

God has a book on you. All the days ordained for you were written in God's book before one of them came to be. This means that your life is not a random series of events; it is a carefully orchestrated plan designed by God to bring Him glory and to fulfill your unique potential.

7. Challenge Your Abilities; Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

The people who change the world are people who have taken impossible out of their dictionaries.

Take impossible out of your vocabulary. The people who make a difference in the world are those who refuse to be limited by the opinions of others or by their own fears. They believe in their potential and are willing to challenge themselves to achieve the impossible.

Don't wait to be challenged. Don't wait for someone else to tell you what you can do. Take the initiative to challenge yourself, to step outside your comfort zone, and to push the boundaries of your abilities. Make a demand on yourself, and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Beat the odds. Don't let physical limitations, socioeconomic circumstances, or past failures hold you back from pursuing your potential. Refuse to be defined by your limitations. Instead, use them as fuel to drive you forward and to prove that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.

8. Stay Connected to Your Source to Fulfill Your Potential

The secret to a happy and productive life is remaining attached to your Source.

Everything needs a source. Just as a plant needs soil, a fish needs water, and an animal needs the earth, you need God. He is your Source of life, your Source of strength, and your Source of potential. Without a relationship with Him, you will never be able to fulfill all that you were created to be.

Jesus is the true vine. Jesus is the true source of life, the one who can provide you with everything you need to thrive and flourish. Don't be deceived by false vines, such as education, philosophy, or worldly success. Only by remaining connected to Jesus can you tap into your true potential.

Pruning for potential. God is the gardener who prunes your life, cutting away the dead wood, the bad habits, and the negative influences that are holding you back. This pruning process may be painful, but it is necessary for you to grow and to bear fruit.

9. Don't Let the World Limit What God Has Placed Within You

When man puts a limit on what he can be, he has put a limit on what he will be.

You are more than your body. Don't let physical limitations, disabilities, or societal expectations define your potential. You are not your body; you are a spirit being with a soul, capable of far more than you can imagine.

You are more than your mind. Don't let your IQ score, your education level, or your past experiences limit your potential. You are not your mind; you are a child of God, with access to His infinite wisdom and knowledge.

You are a treasure in an earthen vessel. Your potential is a precious treasure, but it is housed in a fragile, imperfect body. Don't let the limitations of your physical body or the imperfections of your soul prevent you from tapping into the limitless potential of your spirit.

10. Dare to Desire Greatly and Act on Your Faith

Human potential without godly purpose produces self-destruction.

Potential needs purpose. Potential without purpose is like a loaded gun without a target. It can be dangerous, destructive, and ultimately unfulfilling. Your potential needs a godly purpose to give it direction, meaning, and significance.

Desire with action. It's not enough to simply wish for something; you must desire it with all your heart and be willing to sacrifice everything to achieve it. This kind of desire fuels your faith, empowers your actions, and enables you to overcome any obstacle.

Be one of the few. Many will hear the message of potential, but few will dare to believe it and act on it. Choose to be one of the few who refuse to settle for mediocrity, who dare to dream big, and who commit themselves to fulfilling their God-given potential.

Last updated: March 1, 2025