Carlos Speaks Podcast
Looking for a podcast that will fill you with motivation, encouragement, and self-love? Those are the things that I hope to convey here with the Carlos Speaks Podcast. It is my hope that this podcast was creates an open think space to express, communicate and learn. Plug in to hear empowering stories and valuable insights that will hopefully ignite your passion for personal growth and positivity.
Carlos Speaks Podcast
The Dance of Faith and Work: Embracing Life's Trials with Purposeful Action
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Gratitude and growth often emerge from life's most intricate dances, such as the one between faith and work—a theme that deeply resonates with my journey, replete with lessons from personal tribulations like divorce. As we unpack the delicate balance required to navigate this dance, I'll share how sobriety of mind and deliberate action can lead us to align with our higher purpose.
Join me, Carlos, as we embark on a conversation that weaves through the fabric of overcoming fear with not just belief, but also decisive steps forward. I'll recount moments from my life that highlight the crucial need for a nurturing environment, especially within the context of family, and how our darkest struggles can be a crucible for revealing our true selves. This episode is an invitation to honor your trials, pair your faith with diligent action, and embrace the opportunities to glorify the divine on your path to fulfillment.
Faith Versus Work Expressed Conversationally
Speaker 1Right , good morning from where I am , good evening from where you might be . It's Carlos when we are with episode two of the Carlos speaks podcast . Um , so what I hope to do with the the beginning of each episode , I want to kind of spend time , like um answering questions from the previous , the previous episode , like in comments , um , uh , mentions or DMs or whatever I have you . So I want to make sure I always make time to address those things , um , so the previous episode was episode one , um , so I'm not really surprised that there weren't many um comments or conversations . It was a whole lot of congratulations . I'm glad you did it , um , and I'm grateful for each person that gave me any ounce of support . Thank you , um . I can't articulate how much that means to me , um , and , if I'm going to be honest , it feels really good to finally be doing this right To just be expressive in this way . Um . Anybody who knows me for a while knows that I've been doing motivational minutes for a while , um , but I think that what I have to say I know that what I have to say um has so much more to the capacity of it , um , and that's what this platform is for . Um . So this episode , um , that is titled faith versus work , we're going to talk about quite literally , that faith versus work . Um , and I'm not the type of person to to be anybody down with scripture . I'm not a Bible thumper . Um , what I have to say is just conversational , right ? I hope that's encouraging , I hope that it's motivational , um , and I always want to disclaim that what I say is never in attack . It's always encouragement , right , um ? I know that sometimes , when we hear things that don't necessarily agree with or align with what we want to hear , the things that make us feel good , um , it can be abrasive , right , and we can find a fence in it , um , and we can lash out at that . But anything that I express on this podcast , I promise I'm talking to me . First , you just happen to be here , right , um ? So , with that being said , let's get into it .
Speaker 1I wholeheartedly believe now , right , um , because hindsight is always 2020 . I wholeheartedly believe that God has equipped us , um to do a lot of the things that we pray for . Uh , what do you mean , carlos ? I'm glad that you asked Um .
Speaker 1So basically , uh , when I look back on my life , there were situations where I prayed for God to transition me out of right , and it's been kind of given to me that God was like no , bro , I definitely gave you what you need to get up out of that . I mean , I can't hit the button for you . You know I could , but that would go against the idea of moving towards my calling , moving towards salvation . That is free will , right . So I've given you what you need to accomplish what you're praying for . And I think a lot of times we lose sight of that , right , because a lot of times we approach God asking for a pacifier . Right , I'm whining , give me something to soothe me , right . And God's like no , I need you to self-soothe , I need you to transition into a place , into a mindset , a spiritual set that says I am capable , right , I am going to do what it is that my purpose requires , and I know that God is going to bless that , right .
Speaker 1So I believe that the relationship between work and faith is more so , that work is the requirement of you . Come on somebody . The work is my job , right . And when the faith is applied , god can then do his job and prepare the place that I'm going . I have to leave first . There's a reason why the exodus out of Egypt is an action . Come on , somebody there's God believing the people out of bondage , but the actual act of leaving was on them , the actual act of moving from one place to another , right , was on them , right . So I believe wholeheartedly that we are called to do the work so that God can then bless . Come on , the work through our faith . And that's pretty much like I told you . I'm going to be very transparent on this show , on this platform , right ?
Speaker 1So me personally , I am twice divorced . Oh my God . All right , I'm twice divorced , and in my second divorce it got really , really dark . Right , there was no abuse , right , we wouldn't , you know it would , and Mike Tyson and Ali in the house , but it was very dark . Right , there was a lot of incompatibilities , there was a lack of a severe lack of communication , right , and in that , in our valleys , we can get really , really frustrated , right , and in that frustration we can forget the necessity for work . Now we're praying God please get me up out here . I need you to get me up out of here , and God's like you have what you need . You have to apply what I've already given . You have to apply what I had equipped you with , right .
Speaker 1So when we get to a mindset where we can objectively follow me , objectively decide that where I am is not serving me , where I am right now is not benefiting my purpose , my calling what I want for myself , what I want for my family , that is not being served in the space that I am in , right . So once you decide that with a sober mind , that's the key . Right there I think a lot of times we can be emotionally intoxicated and that can really really really hinder our objective judgment . Right . And sobriety doesn't necessarily mean you're not drunk or you're not intoxicated . So sobriety can mean I am of a sober mind , I'm not angry beyond logic , I'm not grieving beyond logic , I'm not feeling depressed . Right , I am of a sober mind and I have decided that where I am , the space that I'm taking up right now , is no longer serving me . That is the decision right .
Speaker 1And for me in my second divorce it was a lot of God fix this right . That's what it was before God saved me . It was God , fix this , god fix this , god fix this , god fix it , fix it , fix it , fix it . Right . In hindsight I think I was . I know that I was equipped to apply some correction on Maba had . Right , as a husband I could have been a bit more understanding . Right , as a husband I could have been a bit more considering . Right , I could have been softer . Right Could have been those things . But those things I believe , and I know in hindsight , those adjustments would not have fixed what was already incapable . Those adjustments would not fix what was not designed to be compatible , and we can't force that compatibility right .
Speaker 1So when we get irritated and really , really frustrated and we just don't know what to do , right , pastor Lacey Jones , right A long time ago , he told me well , he didn't tell me he was preaching and he said that true faith begins at the point of human limitation . Let that marinate . True faith begins at the point of human limitation . So once I've done everything that I possibly can , every idea that I've had , every phone call that I can make , every gift that I could buy , I have fully expended every ounce of my imagination to fix this broken space . I ain't got no other choice but to trust God or hurt myself . That's it . That's it If you delineate that down to the ones and zeros . Either , or I've done everything I can , there's nothing else I can do , nobody else I can call , there's no scripture that I can find that can make this make sense . I can only trust God , and when I go into that trusting God , I go into it begging Him to do something . God , please , if you don't do nothing else , help me Get me out of this situation right .
Speaker 1And I think a lot of times in our frustration , we forget that God has already empowered you , god has already equipped you right , and what I mean by that is God has already given you the ability to act on the work that needs to be done . Like I said , once you have that sobriety of mind and you decide this is not serving me if this is pulling me into a place where I will not thrive , I have to do something . God is what I'm planning to do in your will . Ooh , now we're transitioning right . Now we're transitioning from begging right To doing with authority . God , I pray that what I am deciding to do aligns with what you will have me do . We wanna be parallel and aligned with that right . So once you have that alignment right , god , I pray that my will lies within yours for my life and baby .
Speaker 1Let me tell you something . One thing that I've learned is all God gotta do is to meet one time . God gotta tell me one time and I'm about to do it right . And the reason why is because the longer we allow ourselves to exist in spaces that do not serve us , baby , you're draining yourself . You're draining yourself . That's not the abundance that God promised , that's not the fullness that God promised , right . So again , me personally , right , once I got into the position , I said , hey , you know what I gotta get about it . I'm ready to sign them , papers , papers , right . And then I prayed about it , right .
Speaker 1So when we're praying and we're fasting and we're seeking right , a lot of times we have to ensure that the intent is right . I don't wanna deny myself or food , just cause . A lot of situations in a lot of churches and a lot of people you know they fast because it's January . It's January time to do our Daniel fast , and I'm not blanketing this , right , it's just some , not the majority , some of the people or ministries or churches that I have personally experienced every January . Baby , we're gonna fast , we're just gonna deny ourselves because it's January . There , it is right .
Speaker 1And I believe wholeheartedly that the fasting is designed to help me see where I'm lacking . God , show me what is pulling my attention . Show me what is pulling me away from what it is I'm supposed to be doing right . And in that fasting , in that denying of the flesh , you can identify what's pulling you by what you design . Woo Lord , I gotta check my notifications . It's been three days . I ain't log in one time . So I believe that in that space , we are given the opportunity to see what is hindering our growth . What's that thorn in our side , right ? So , again , that is the discerning part . Right , we go from begging God fix it To God . This is what I'm planning to do , right , and if this is in your will , I trust that you will bless it .
Speaker 1Faith , part , work , faith , work , faith , work , faith , work , faith . Do your part so God can do his right . So , once I got to the point in my personal life where the divorce was kicked off , right , and I'm actually signing and writing up these papers and I'm thinking to myself God , what about my marriage ? What about my daughter ? What about my family ? What about all the people that are tied to this right , what about the trauma that this is going to cause ? And I think , a lot of times , when we consider the rippling effects of the work that we're going to do , and right now , the example that I'm using is my divorce , but this could be the plot to any aspect or sector of your life . God , I'm ready to quit this job , near me . God , I'm ready to drop out of school . God , I'm ready in my life .
Speaker 1So this dynamic of work and faith can be applied in a in a myriad of ways in your life . Right , let's , let's make it about work real quick . Right ? God , give me this job . God give me , because all things work for for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose . I declare , and I declare it right now Did you do the work to be qualified for that job ?
Speaker 1That thing came with requirements , that's . That's the part that we often very easily overstep . When you look at that job posting , it said qualifications and baby , don't give me wrong . I love the Lord and I won't take it back , and I have faith , but I need you to understand that that faith works best with work . Come on somebody , right ? So I want to inquire have you done the work to meet the qualifications for that job ? And don't give me wrong . God can do anything . God is omnipotent , right , only God can turn the heart of a man . But my question is did you do your part ? That job said you got to have a bachelor's degree . Why you applying ? You got an associates . Come on , I don't think that's faith . That might be delusion . I'm giving it to you how I give it to myself . You have to do the work . God , this relationship is not serving me . Help me , get out , baby , walk , walk .
Speaker 1And I think it is the unknowns that's associated with the result of my work that scares us into staying where we are . Going back to me , when I consider all of the rippling effects of my divorce , of signing these papers , of calling it quits what would the church say , what would the people say , what would my family say ? And at the end of the day , I believe that the only say that I had to consider was what would God say ? And I know that's easier said than done . I know that's easier said than done , and in real time . But once you get to the place where there's nothing else you can do , baby , you're gonna stay , you're gonna work , you're gonna stay , you're gonna go right , and there's no telling what might happen if you stay I think a lot of bad happens .
Faith and Work
Speaker 1A lot of bad things happen when we choose to stay in spaces based of fear . And you know already , the Bible has not given , or the Bible God has not given us the spirit of fear , but the power of love in a sound mind . I'm not staying nowhere because I'm afraid the spirit of fear doesn't exist inside of me . I'm getting up out here and I'm gonna trust God in my faith . I'm already giving God the opportunity to bless my work , right ? So , going back to me personally , what will God say became my burning butch , became my God , my , my , my guide , right ?
Speaker 1So once I got to that place , you know I did I signed those papers . I brought those papers to my ex-wife and I said look , man , this ain't it . And if we're going to create space for , you know , this child to grow in a space of authentic love , in a space of authenticity , then this is something that I believe we have to do , something that's going to free the both of us from bondage . We created it , period . And for me that is indicative to the strongest degree , the strongest example that faith without the work is dead right . And sometimes that work can be terrifying , sometimes that work can be intimidating , sometimes it can seem bigger than whatever it is that is hindering where you are now and I want to encourage you and let you know that it's not . If you believe there's more for you , I need you to know that that more exists . You just have to get to it .
Speaker 1I think it was one of the pastor down in Texas . I want to get his name right . He said something that was super profound and I'm at the law back in and throw his name in the comment section . Um , but he said is it that you're depressed or is it that who you're called to be , it's tired of being pressed down ? Maybe that did something for me . I ain't even gonna . Yeah , my man said is it that you're depressed or is it that who you're called to be is tired of being pressed down and is fighting to get out ? I ain't gonna , I ain't gonna repriege what he did . That ain't my place . I'm just letting you know that he said it and that it had a very profound effect on me , on my heart , when I heard it .
Speaker 1Um , and those , I think those are very , uh , significant questions that you have to act yourself . Right , what ? What is it that I'm feeling ? And that goes back to the sobriety of my ? Isolate yourself from the things that cause you to be intoxicated , right , the emotional chaos , the grief , the anger , the exhaustion , whatever , whatever those things are , find space . In that way you can turn it off and look at yourself and sit with yourself and say , okay , where am I ? Where am I ? Where is it that I desire to go ? What is the kind or the amount of work that's going to be required for me ? Require to get me from where I am to where I'm being led to go ? Right , and trust that your faith is going to amplify the work .
Speaker 1Because I'm telling you , man , uh , spiritual law . Spiritual law says to me , right , this this is me , that we were created to glorify God , right ? So I believe wholeheartedly that if I go through testing , trials , god is going to be glorified . Right , test and trials , glory to God . If God is glorified , that means I'm blessed . If I go through and I and I conquer the attacks of the enemy , I , I conquer the test and the trials , I get through the valley right and I get to the other side and I glorify the name of God , then I am blessed because of it . God can be glorified . If I don't survive the testing , trials and if God has already declared that I'm a winner , that I'm a champion , that that that victory is already mine , that I'm a victor and not a victim . What I'm scared of I am . I am already destined to overcome the valley , as long as I apply the work , because my faith is going to activate . Come on , my faith is going to activate the amplification of my work . I don't know where I'm going , but I'm trusting God to get me to in the going . That's where trusting God , that's fate .
Speaker 1So the conversation that says faith without works is dead . They go hand in hand . They go hand in hand because if you work and you ain't got no faith , where you going ? Where you going ? If you got all the faith in no work ? God is saying what you doing . Maybe you clogging up the prayer line asking God to save you from a situation that you can begin to save yourself from God . Please fix this relationship between me and my mom . Lord just saying okay , okay , okay , all right . You're equipped to take a step back , to become aware of yourself and learn how to communicate better and then have the awareness to establish whatever boundaries are necessary .
Speaker 1Start the work Didn't apply the faith , and anybody who knows me knows that once I'm done talking , I'm done talking Right . So if you , if you are still here on the second episode of Carlos speaks , I thank you , I appreciate you . If this resonates with you , please share it with somebody Right . Drop your comments . Like I said , I try to . I'm going to try to commit the first few minutes of every episode , answering whatever questions or delving into whatever comments that are left on previous episodes . So make sure you subscribe on YouTube right , hit that little button and check me out on the Apple podcast app . Just stay connected Right , and that's all we got for today . So , other than that , I hope today resonated with you . Today's episode . Be well , be well and remember the relationship between working faith . Apply the work , begin the work and apply the faith . Begin the work and apply the faith . Begin the work and apply the faith . Begin the work and apply the faith Until next time . Carlos speaks .