Do the New You
6 Mindsets to Become Who You Were Created to Be
Book Edition Details
Summary
In the kaleidoscope of human potential, "Do the New You" invites readers to uncover their true selves — a version neither distant nor elusive, but vibrantly alive within. Steven Furtick, celebrated pastor and bestselling author, presents a transformative guide to embracing your God-given identity. With profound insights and practical affirmations, he challenges you to shift your mindset and step into a life aligned with divine purpose. Each chapter serves as a beacon, guiding you away from self-imposed limitations towards a life where faith and courage illuminate the path. As you journey through these empowering truths, you’ll discover that the person you aspire to be is the one you were meant to be all along. Let go of the past, embrace the present, and step boldly into the future God has envisioned for you.
Introduction
Every morning brings a fundamental choice that shapes everything else in your day. As you stand at the crossroads between who you've always been and who you could become, you face a decision that extends far beyond what to wear or what to eat for breakfast. The question isn't just about managing your schedule or tackling your to-do list. It's deeper than that. It's about which version of yourself you'll choose to be in the hours ahead. Too often, we find ourselves trapped between two equally limiting approaches to personal growth. The first is settling for "just doing you," which sounds liberating but often keeps us frozen in patterns that no longer serve us. The second is chasing an idealized "future you" on an exhausting treadmill of self-improvement that never quite delivers the satisfaction it promises. Both approaches miss something crucial: the truth of who God created you to be. The real transformation happens when you discover the "new you" that isn't new at all, but rather the authentic version of yourself that God knew before you were born. This isn't about becoming someone else or fixing everything that's wrong with you. It's about aligning with the person God designed you to be and walking confidently in that identity. When you understand that your value isn't based on your performance but on God's presence within you, everything changes. You stop striving to prove yourself and start living from the truth that you are already enough, already chosen, already equipped for whatever lies ahead.
Break Free from Old Patterns
Breaking free from old patterns begins with understanding a simple but powerful truth: you're not stuck unless you stop. This mindset challenges the lie that your current circumstances define your permanent reality. Often, we accept limitation as fact when it's actually just a temporary condition that can be changed through faith-filled action. Steven Furtick discovered this principle during a rough patch in his relationship with his dying father. For two years, every phone conversation ended in shouting matches, and the situation seemed hopeless. His father had ALS and was becoming increasingly difficult to manage, firing caregivers and exploding with rage during family conversations. Despite Furtick's best efforts to help, nothing seemed to work, and their relationship deteriorated to the point where he dreaded making contact. On Father's Day, while driving past his father's hometown, Furtick felt prompted to try something different. Instead of focusing on recent failures, he wrote down thirty-two positive memories from his childhood, one for each year his father had been in his life. The list started small with simple things like "bunting" from his Little League days, but as he continued writing, more meaningful memories surfaced. When he delivered the list to his father, it became the first crack in the wall between them, leading to reconciliation before his father's death. This breakthrough didn't happen through dramatic gestures or perfect strategies. It emerged from doing "the thing that you would do" if you believed restoration was possible. When you feel trapped in negative patterns, ask yourself what you would do if you truly believed God was making a way forward. Then take that step, even if it's imperfect or incomplete. Don't let fear of failure keep you from attempting progress. The key is recognizing that movement creates momentum. When you stop arguing for your limitations and start agreeing with God about your potential, you position yourself for breakthrough. Your circumstances may not change immediately, but your perspective shifts, and that shift opens doors you couldn't see before.
Embrace Your God-Given Identity
The foundation of lasting transformation rests on a profound truth that Olympic wrestler Helen Maroulis discovered before her historic victory. Standing in the tunnel before facing a three-time Olympic champion, she repeated a simple but powerful declaration: "Christ is in me. I am enough." This wasn't positive thinking or self-help motivation. It was a declaration of identity rooted in spiritual reality. Maroulis had lost to her opponent twice before and was facing overwhelming odds. The natural response would have been to focus on what she lacked or how she might fall short. Instead, she anchored her confidence in something unshakeable: the presence of Christ within her. This mindset didn't guarantee victory, but it freed her from the paralyzing fear of inadequacy that defeats many people before they even begin. The breakthrough came not from denying her limitations but from recognizing a greater truth. Her sufficiency wasn't based on her past performance, her opponent's reputation, or even her current skill level. It was based on the reality that she was not fighting alone. The same principle applies to every challenge you face, whether it's parenting, career obstacles, financial pressure, or personal relationships. When you truly grasp that Christ is in you, it changes how you approach difficulties. You stop seeing yourself as the sole source of strength and start drawing from divine resources. This isn't about ignoring reality or pretending problems don't exist. It's about viewing your situation from a position of spiritual abundance rather than natural lack. Begin each day by reminding yourself of this identity. Before checking your phone or diving into your schedule, take a moment to acknowledge the truth: Christ is in you, therefore you are enough for whatever lies ahead. This isn't arrogance; it's alignment with how God sees you. When you operate from this foundation, you make decisions from strength rather than insecurity, and you approach challenges as opportunities to see God's power at work through your life.
Find Your Way Through Every Challenge
Every obstacle you face contains within it the seeds of its own solution, but discovering that solution requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Instead of asking "What if this fails?" start asking "What if this succeeds?" This simple reframe opens your mind to possibilities that fear and doubt typically obscure. The biblical account of Israel crossing the Jordan River illustrates this principle perfectly. The priests carrying the ark had to step into flood-stage waters before they could see God's provision. As their feet touched the water's edge, something remarkable happened upstream: the water stopped flowing at a town called Adam, miles away from where they stood. The miracle had been set in motion hours before they arrived, but they couldn't see it until they took the step of faith. This is how God often works in your life. While you're wondering how you'll manage the challenges downstream, He's already addressing the situation upstream. The job opportunity, the relationship breakthrough, the financial provision, or the creative solution you need may already be in motion. Your role isn't to figure out every detail but to take the next faithful step. Rick Beato's story demonstrates this principle in a modern context. At fifty-four, when most people assume their biggest opportunities are behind them, he started a YouTube channel about music. Despite having gray hair in a young person's medium and no experience with video production, he committed to the process. Years later, his channel has millions of subscribers, and he interviews his musical heroes regularly. The breakthrough came not from perfect planning but from willingness to begin without seeing the entire path ahead. When you're facing uncertainty, focus on what you can control rather than what you can't. Plant seeds consistently, knowing that you don't need to know which ones will grow. Some efforts will fail, but others will succeed beyond your expectations. The key is maintaining a "weasel-free mentality" that protects your creative process from premature criticism and self-doubt. Remember that with God, there's always a way forward, and by faith you will find it. This doesn't mean the path will be easy or obvious, but it does mean that your current obstacle isn't your final destination.
Live with Joy and Purpose
Joy isn't a feeling that happens to you; it's a job you must choose to do. This revolutionary perspective transforms how you approach both good days and difficult seasons. Rather than waiting for circumstances to improve before allowing yourself to be content, you can learn to own your emotions and create stability from within. David's experience hiding from King Saul illustrates what "ugly trust" looks like in practice. When cornered in enemy territory, David was forced to pretend insanity, scratching on doorways and drooling to save his life. Yet from this humiliating low point, he wrote one of the most beautiful psalms about trusting God. His words "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" came not from a peaceful meadow but from a place of desperate action. This teaches us that seeking God doesn't always look pretty or feel spiritual. Sometimes it means doing the next best thing when the best thing isn't available. David couldn't return home safely, so he took refuge with former enemies. He couldn't worship in the temple, so he found God in caves and hideouts. His faith wasn't diminished by the mess; it was refined by it. Your joy becomes sustainable when you stop expecting life to be perfect before you allow yourself to be grateful. Start each day by identifying eight specific things you're thankful for, using your fingers to count them off. This "GR8FUL" practice interrupts negative thought patterns and redirects your mind toward God's goodness. The items can be simple: a warm cup of coffee, a text from a friend, or even the absence of yesterday's headache. When overwhelming emotions threaten to derail your day, remember that you don't have to stop every negative thought, but you can redirect your focus. Meet anxiety with gratitude, match worry with worship, and counter fear with faith. This isn't denying reality but choosing which reality will have the greatest influence on your perspective. The goal isn't perfection but progress. Some days you'll manage your emotions well, and other days you'll struggle. That's normal and human. What matters is returning to the truth that your joy is your responsibility, your peace is within your control, and your God is always faithful regardless of how you feel in the moment.
Summary
True transformation doesn't require you to become someone entirely different. It invites you to become who you've always been meant to be. As Steven Furtick powerfully states, "The new you is not waiting in the future. You can walk into it right now." This journey isn't about perfecting yourself or waiting until you feel qualified for the life God has planned for you. Every mindset explored in this book points to the same liberating truth: you are not stuck in your current patterns, you are enough because Christ is in you, there is always a way forward with God, He is fighting for you rather than against you, your joy is your responsibility, and you have everything you need for this season. These aren't aspirational goals but present realities waiting to be embraced. The six action steps create a practical framework for daily transformation: commit to progress, accept your true self, focus on possibilities, walk in confidence, own your emotions, and embrace your now. Each step builds on the others, creating momentum that carries you from who you've been into who you're becoming. Your breakthrough begins the moment you stop defending your limitations and start agreeing with God about your potential. Choose today to do the new you, knowing that this version of yourself isn't foreign or fake but the most authentic expression of who God created you to be. Step by step, day by day, you can walk confidently into the future He has prepared, equipped with everything you need for the journey ahead.
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By Steven Furtick
