Obedience Over Hustle

In the current times, we continually see people involved in constant activity with the goal of being productive. For many, however, productivity does not happen the way they imagine. Instead, many people produce stress, tiredness and other negative results. Most interesting is that the author finds the original definition of the word “hustle” was a negative one. Yet today, the definition has been adjusted and is now used to encourage this constant activity we see or experience today.

In a time of self-reflection, the author comes to grips with the realization that not all movement is indicative of progress. With this in mind, the author begins the journey to achieve a life that is productive and on point with where one is supposed to be and what one is supposed to accomplish.

I really enjoyed that the style used by this author allows the reader to identify with the author’s struggles. There is a transparency present that lets the reader know they are not alone. With that in mind, there are some great points made and ideas given to assist the reader on their own journey towards change.

This book is written from a Christian perspective. However, for anyone not put off by this, it is an excellent guide towards making a change that will not only benefit the reader but also those with whom the reader is in contact.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hustle=Burnout. The word hustle has always had a negative affect on me, even before I was a believer. For several years now I feel like the world is crazy busy and spinning out of control.
The author talks about work ethic and workaholic....which mean completely different things. This was insightful I kept asking myself, “what’s my motive?, does this honor God?, why am I really doing this?”
I especially loved the authors honesty about church involvement. This is a tough subject to talk about and I thought she did a job.
And lastly the author talks about obedience. Why we should obey and what would that look like.
This was a good study and I would do this with a small group. The issues in this book are real and I felt the study could be very helpful for anyone struggling with this issue.

This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.

Hustle seems to be a buzzword right now. There is the drive to accomplish much for the Kingdom of God. We are urged to increase our media outreach and be an “influencer.” There are podcasts and webinars on being an over achiever, on setting and meeting all our audacious goals.

Fuller wants us to stop and think about it all. Is that really the life God has called us to? She encourages us to wait on God and determine His purpose for us. A super achiever “waiting” on God? A woman who wants it all, a picture perfect family and a successful career, being silent before God to listen for His small voice of direction?

Bring it on, Fuller. I have seen social media inundated with the fast paced, “do-it-all” kind of Christian hustle. Finally, someone is bringing some sense into the conversation. What a shock to think it is Satan's temptation to do more, to be more, to have it all. (Loc 751/2007)

This is a book young women would do well to read. Fuller points out the pitfalls of the hustle and the blessing of obedience. She tells good stories on herself and others to illustrate her teaching. Bible stories are included too. (Ever wonder what would have happened if Noah had said “no” to God because the whole idea didn't make sense?) She has also included questions on each chapter for personal reflection or group discussion.

Jesus is our example. He never did anything without His Father's approval. Are we willing to follow His example? It means listening for God's direction and then being obedient. Fuller says it has taken her years to get better at asking God what He wants rather than demanding He bless her already established ambitious plans. If you are ready to set aside the hustle and be obedient, this book will get you on the way.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I was so excited to grab a copy of Obedience Over Hustle just because of the name of the book! Lately I have felt so let down and near anger at the word hustle. It's like certain people around me use it as a weapon, or a way of saying "I'm better than you". The more you hustle, the better, right? Wrong. That is why I loved this book. It shot down the myth of the 'hustle' and instead focused on what working hard (I call it thriving) in what God has called us to do as a better way to live our lives. The way we were designed to live them.

I am so excited to read more of her books as she grows into her role as a writer! The only reason I gave this book four out of five stars is because I felt like she used the same example of her own experience of obedience over and over again. Really, it should be 4.5/5 stars because I loved all of her examples of biblical obedience. That is what made the book for me!

Today we strive for more, to be better, faster, more productive. We learn how to multi-task and connect ourselves 24/7 to our work, our lives and our families. Is this what God intended for us? Does God want us to “hustle” through life missing His calling for us? God wants us to slow down, take a breath and follow Him. He knows the way. We have to realize we can’t get there faster on our own. But when you are doing the “hustle” you miss Gods whisper, His direction and His call.
Malinda Fuller takes us on her personal journey of re-transformation from the “have it all”, “do it all”, “be it all” to a silent moment when Gods whisper touched her life. She shows us that what we think we want may not even be close to what God has planned for us. She teaches us through Scripture and her personal journey how we to can slow down, spend some quiet time in His word and learn to follow His voice.

This book is like a breath of fresh air. It’s like a friend who says it’s ok not to “hustle” and to take the Spiritual path in life. I felt relief, moments of uncertainty wondering if I too could follow God, and pure peace in knowing that I’m not alone in this struggle. This was a fabulous book that I’m sure will touch the lives of many readers. Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Malinda Fuller and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review.

This book was something I was unable to put down ... there are so many helpful nuggets included. I was reminded of the call of God on my life to seek him & serve in the way he's called me to with delighted obedience. I was refreshe'd to start following my dreams with God again knowing what is important in my life. Truly inspirational.

As a book review blogger, I sometimes have the privilege of receiving advance copies of books, usually in electronic form. But I decided to order my own hard copy of a new book from Malinda Fuller, “Obedience Over Hustle.” Why? Because this one needs to sit on my nightstand and join a short list of books that are important re-reads every year!

I am a perfectionist. I ask way more of myself than anyone else ever will. I am guilty of the sideways glance, measuring my own achievements by what I see others accomplishing around me. My passion can run amok, driven more by selfish ambition than unwavering commitment to clear direction from the LORD. That drive can leave me anxious. Worrying I have missed the mark. It can all become very fragile. Those insecurities fueled by ugly, sinful pride.

Malinda very quickly grabbed my attention. Drawing me away from my teetering house of cards, built in fits and starts, bursts of stubborn, independent determination. She suggests a much firmer foundation. OBEDIENCE. To the LORD’s leading! Orchestrated by His divine plan, guided and equipped by His Spirit, fueled by His power, and characterized more by worship, compassion and conviction than self-serving passion. There is purity in obedience. There is also peace.

I could have highlighted the whole book! I lingered over every chapter, savoring the balm to my weary, fickle heart. Malinda’s compelling definitions of “hustle” and “obedience” remind me of the dialogue among fellow believers that has captured my attention over recent years. To choose the counter-cultural way. To worry less about the tips and tricks and hoops to jump through to dream big and make those dreams become reality, and instead, to dedicate myself more to stepping aside with the LORD. To regularly pursue a place where all other voices fall silent, where I can ask Him what He wants me to be doing!?! And to get busy doing it!

In my writing, my longing to speak truth into hearts of women in whatever avenue is open to me, I also want to truly grasp that I am first a wife and mother and more importantly a child of the King! He is the One who longs to hold first audience with my heart! As Malinda describes what it might look like to prioritize my days and efforts in a way that honors Him, she reassures me that most of my steps are not as faltering as I fear. Most of them have been toward Him, NOT swept away with the raging tide around me.

“She knows the voice of the One who speaks her dreams into being. She has learned to heed those promptings when they come. Instead of becoming bitter about the mundaneness of her days [as a mom], she’s choosing to be the influential leader GOD has created her to be, right now. Even though she doesn’t have a giant platform, she is using her unapologetic voice to bring healing and inspiration to others through social media . . . she has gathered together women from all seasons and denominations in her city for mornings of Bible conversation and coffee . . . she meets together with other moms to encourage and strengthen them on a regular basis . . . and most importantly, she has sunk deep into the trenches of motherhood with an eternal perspective. She is going after the hearts of her children, intent on raising them to love and follow JESUS. Instead of chasing what other people are doing, she has plugged herself into her family and her community. That’s what obedience looks like for her in this season. Laying down the hustle meant being content with being small. She has said yes to GOD, given up the hustle, and stepped into obedient living.” (p. 50-51)

Malinda’s words speak peace to my easily distracted heart and encourage me to keep choosing Him, even when the path forward seems unclear or uncertain, or unseen by others. His full plans for me and my efforts will one day be realized. A lot of them are already unfolding in those unseen places! He is the One who has gifted me and faithfully leads me one step at a time. He will truly delight in seeing any further plans for me come to fruition . . . in His time! If I simply hunger to know His heart, with deeper passion than for anything else, I’ve already received the greatest gift He can offer! As I look to the Father for His plan and His purposes, and work hard to align my efforts with His, I can rest assured that I am always on the right path.

As I recommit to choosing His way, these quotes from “Obedience Over Hustle” will serve as important reminders:

“Continued obedience . . . it is carefully tending to what He has commissioned us to do, sometimes without being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not just a one-time risk or a single act, but faithfully putting our hand to what GOD has led us to do.” (p. 220)

“It is choosing His way over our own. It’s laying down what we think best – our timing and our methods – and yielding to what GOD thinks is best.” (p. 221)

“It’s living with the knowledge that His opinion is the only one that matters, and that seeking Him first is a command worth following. When we live like this, we are choosing obedience over hustle.” (p. 221)

Malinda beautifully weaves Biblical truth with personal stories, her extensive research as she wrestled with these concepts, and examples from Scripture of men and women who have faithfully gone before us, choosing to follow Christ!

Do you find yourself crumbling under the pressure to succeed, to chart your course and make it happen, to dream big and “go for it!”? Do you battle fear that you will miss that one big break, falter at that pivotal moment and lose your one big chance? “Obedience Over Hustle” offers you the chance to breathe and look UP! Malinda Fuller suggests a much kinder option: simply ask the One with the master plan which next step to take . . . and follow where He leads!

“Obedience Over Hustle” by Malinda Fuller, from Barbour Publishing, is available wherever books are sold. Find Malinda on Facebook or Instagram to follow #thefulleradventure as their family continually chooses obedience to the call of Christ!

#obedienceoverhustle #justbreathe #Hehasaplan #Hisplanisbest #justaskHim #followwhereHeleads #trustandobey #trustingJESUS #heldandbeloved #whispersofrest #mysteriouskindness #lostinwonder

This book is amazing! The word "hustle" has been popularized by culture and social media, and here author Malinda Fuller breaks her book into two segments: hustle and obedience. She dives into the meaning of the words, what living that out looks like in our lives, and how the concept of hustling isn't necessarily a good thing. She reminds us of our motives, priorities, and as Christians, the importance of obeying God above our own desires and dreams. She executes this out in her writing in such a way that it is straight to the point without being accusatory. Using Scripture and biblical truth as its solid foundation, this book is a must have for anyone who is striving to pursue their dreams and goals, who compares themselves to other's successes, who questions what God desires of them, and even for believers in general to know how to handle the lifestyles of hustling and obeying. Loved being able to read this one.

In “Obedience over Hustle,” Malinda Fuller describes the surrender of the striving heart to obey God. Malinda heard God’s voice, quiet and unassuming, bold, gentle, firm and tender, speaking directly to her heart. All he said was, “Will you obey Me? Am I not your Provider.” As she wrestled with those questions, Malinda had a choice to make. She would trust God to provide for her. She would “confront the Hustle” and “choose Obedience.”

We must not manipulate God’s plan and fast track His agenda to attain our dreams. We should aim to obey God and do whatever He asks of us. Our only aim must be to love Him, serve Him and help to build His Kingdom. We will go wherever He leads us. We will choose Obedience over Hustle. Let us choose God’s way only, not ours. The hustling heart always strives for something more and is never satisfied with anything. Hustling ruthlessly chases after a goal at any cost.

God calls us to listen to His voice, obey Him, follow His leading and yield to Him. Let us choose Obedience in the tiniest details and in the grandest plans. We must be satisfied with God and His plans for us. Obedience to God is a daily decision to obey Him. It is a way of thinking, a lifestyle. God wants us to partner with Him. Life acquires meaning when we work with God to achieve His purposes. God honors us when we work with Him. We must try on God for everything and depend on Him for favorable outcomes. God wants our partnership with Him to make His name great and point people to Christ. Say yes to God, give up the hustle and step into obedient living. I recommend this book to all who love God, desire to obey Him at any cost and who want God's will to reign supreme in their lives.

I hope this book gets all the good attention it deserves. Malinda Fuller has written a book that is very well balanced about the “hustle” in our lives and being obedient to God. There are two parts to this book. Part One is “Confronting the Hustle”; Part Two is “Choosing Obedience”. My favorite chapter in Part One was “Confronting the Hustle” and in Part Two it was “Obedience When the Path is Unclear”. I loved the author’s personal illustrations and how she shared her own journey with us.

I know there have been times that I’ve struggled in these areas, and I wish that I would have had this book as an encouragement during those times. I’ve been challenged and encouraged by this book and will recommend it to others. There is a discussion guide and questions for each chapter and would make a good book for a study group to use.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.