Habits Build Futures

The Men Behind the Mission Part 3: Why The Small Things You Protect Matter

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] Everybody ran, and the “field” looked laughably small. That’s why Shamma’s story hits so hard. We’re talking about 2 Samuel 23:11–12, where one man stands in the middle of a field of lentils while the Philistines attack and the soldiers flee and God brings the victory. If you’ve ever wondered whether the quiet things you protect and maintain actually matter, this conversation is for you. I connect Shamma’s stand to real life for men today: showing up for your marriage when it’s tense, staying present with your kids when you’re tired, guarding your integrity when nobody’s watching, and taking your mental health seriously instead of masking anxiety, depression, grief, and exhaustion. We also go after the subtle way the enemy works, not always by saying you can’t win, but by whispering, “Is this battle worth it?” That’s how “just one” compromise turns into drift, whether it’s porn, DMs, alcohol, missed prayer, or choosing silence over a hard conversation. We draw a clear line between protection and control, because biblical leadership creates safety rather than fear. Sometimes defending your field means counseling, accountability, rest, boundaries, and confronting the unhealed behaviors that make you the danger inside your own home. You’ll walk away with three questions to identify what’s attacking your field and one practical action you can take today to stand your ground. If this challenges you, share it with a brother who needs it, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, and leave a review to help more men find the show. What field has God entrusted to you, and are you protecting it? Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

The Men Behind The Mission Part 2

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] We talk about Eleazar, the overlooked warrior in 2 Samuel 23, and why his decision to stand when everyone else retreats is a model for perseverance and courage. We connect that ancient fight to modern struggles like anxiety, depression, loneliness, addiction, and the pressure men carry in silence, then challenge you to hold on to what God put in your hand.  • Eleazar’s story in two verses and the lesson of standing your ground  • The modern man’s battle with quiet fear, shame, and isolation  • Courage as staying put when quitting feels logical  • “What is your sword?” and naming what you refuse to let go of  • Why God leaves out the numbers and highlights character  • Faithfulness over outcomes, recognition, and public wins  • Strength as honesty, prayer, counseling, and asking for help  • Letting God own the outcome while we own obedience  • The unseen people who get better because you kept standing  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily motivational and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAbove Talent.  Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

The Men Behind The Mission Part 1

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] Most of us say we want to be “great,” but what we really want is to be seen. That’s why the men with a few lines in the Bible can teach us more than the celebrities we can name. We kick off a new series, The Men Behind the Mission, and start with Benaiah, a man who never becomes king, never writes a book of Scripture, and never chases a spotlight, yet shows up with the kind of courage and character that makes a kingdom steady. We walk through Benaiah’s defining moments: taking down two Moabite champions, chasing a lion into a pit on a snowy day, and fighting a giant while under-equipped, then using the enemy’s weapon to win. Each story becomes a practical lens for modern Christian men navigating fear, intimidation, insecurity, pornography, anger, anxiety, and shame. We talk about why “don’t fight reputation, fight reality” can change your decision-making, and why courage isn’t pretending you’re fine, it’s refusing to let fear lead your life. We also get real about men’s mental health and the quiet ways men suffer. Sometimes chasing your lion looks like scheduling counseling, calling a friend, talking to your wife, admitting you’re depressed or burnt out, and choosing integrity over image. If you’re tired of comparison and performative masculinity, this is a reminder that heaven celebrates obedience, and legacy is built through faithfulness when nobody’s watching. Subscribe, share this with a man who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

You Are Already Enough For What God Called You To Do

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] That “I’m not enough” feeling can show up on your best week, right when everything looks fine from the outside. We sit with that tension and name what a lot of men carry in silence: the fear that your success is fragile, that people are just being nice, and that one mistake will prove you never belonged. If you’ve wrestled with imposter syndrome, anxiety, or the pressure to constantly perform, this conversation is for you. We dig into how men are taught to attach identity to performance and why that’s a dangerous way to live when life inevitably fluctuates. We also talk about the mental loop where your mind keeps hunting for proof of an old story, then treats every delay, critique, or bad day as “evidence.” The goal isn’t to deny emotions or pretend you’re strong. Real strength is learning how to process emotions without letting them control your decisions, and we get practical about what that can look like. Faith is central here, especially the story of Moses. God calls Moses and Moses answers with excuses, which sounds a lot like how many of us respond to purpose when we’re scared to fail or be exposed. We also address shame and the question, “Why would God choose me?” and land on a freeing truth: God isn’t surprised by your past, and your history doesn’t disqualify you from being used for good. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more men can find honest conversations about men’s mental health, self-worth, and identity in God. Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

What If Honesty Is The Real Measure Of Manhood

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] Some of the most broken men you know look like the most reliable ones. I’m talking about the veteran who shows up, the coach who keeps encouraging others, the husband and leader who gets it done, and the friend who always says, “I’m good.” I’m also talking about what people don’t see: the internal battle, the pressure to perform strength, and the pain that gets carried alone. I share why men’s mental health became personal for me, including two low points that still shape how I speak, coach, and mentor today. One is my own season of not being okay, when I felt overwhelmed, trapped, and unseen. The other is losing a buddy I served with in Iraq, someone who brought light into a scary place but struggled hard after we got home. I offered help and even sent money, but I didn’t ask the question that mattered most: “Are you okay?” That loss is a permanent reminder that men can suffer silently until it’s too late. We talk about the lies men absorb early: asking for help is weakness, struggling means failure, real men don’t break. We also get real about how pain leaks out sideways through anger, isolation, addiction, emotional shutdown, depression, anxiety, and sometimes suicide. My core takeaway is simple: healing doesn’t begin when we get tougher, it begins when we get honest, then we build awareness, accountability, and growth from there. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to carry it alone. Listen, share this with a man you care about, and subscribe, rate, and review the show so more men hear they’re not alone. Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]