Hidden Potential: Revealing What God Can Do through You

by Wendy Pope

Fears. Faults. Failures. Frailties. Every woman at some point wonders, Do I have to get past all my weaknesses before God can use me?
 
Wendy Pope is happy to tell readers: No! You don’t have to overcome, correct, rise above, or get strong before you are qualified to be part of God’s plan. He can use you right now. You are a worthwhile possibility.
 
In Hidden Potential, readers see that they can be:
faithful, even in fear
included in God’s plans, even in weaknesses
worth something, even in failure
valuable, even in pain
 
Pope explores the life of a fearful murderer on the run with a speech problem and daddy issues—also known as Moses—to show readers God’s power and grace. As she writes, God will never count anyone out as long as they count themselves as His children.
 
Hidden Potential includes discussion, reflection, and Bible study questions, challenges to take readers further in their faith, and real-life stories from other women to remind readers they are not alone.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Christian Non Fiction, Spirituality, Self Help, Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

About the author

Wendy Pope is the author of Trusting God for a Better Tomorrow and the Read Thru the Word online Bible studies and teachings. She speaks nationwide with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Wendy and her husband, Scott, have two children and live in North Carolina.

Reviews

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Popes for a while. I have many of her past books. She is so full of positive, wonderful wisdom.
I always end the book having learned so much and feeling so much better after having read the book. Not to mention the book is full of underlined tidbits to go back and ponder.
I gave this book 4 stars. I recommend it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Wendy Pope. I enjoyed her writing which I find very personable, like chatting over a cup of coffee. Being older I felt like I’ve heard this or studied it before. It’s always good to be reminded though! I would recommend this book to others, especially younger women and new believers.

[Katja Labonté]

Free on Amazon 17.1.23!

[Sharee Gaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Hidden Potential, has been a burning bush for me. I’ve been convicted of things that have been deep in my soul for many years. As I turn the last page, I am not the same and am taking more notice of the One who first noticed me and called me a “worthwhile possibility.” The hope I feel is tangible. This is a must read!

[Jenna Whalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Pope is very personable in her writing and I think that makes it easier to relate to her when she talks about some hard topics. She gives personal examples and that helps the book not come across as preachy. I do think this book is probably aimed more at either newer Christians or women who are struggling with their self-worth at the moment. It was information I felt as if I had heard/read many times before and I've done a few bible studies centered around Moses life (which was the main person's life Pope followed in the book). I still thought the book was good and I got some good nuggets out of it, but do think it might be aimed more towards others.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to earth straight talking book calling us to step away from fears, frailties, failures and faults and step into the hidden potential God wants to reveal in us. All too often we ‘disqualify’ ourselves because of a fear, failure, fault, or frailty: but God never does. I love how the author uses Scripture to remind us God can still use us. In fact, she draws wisdom from the story of Moses. My favorite part of the book is what the author calls personality profiles. These are stories of people who have walked through these 4 F’s and allowed God to use them anyway.

[Vickie Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in conjunction with a bible study. But you could also read it as a stand-alone. There were many things I loved about this book. She writes in a way that truly speaks to me; I relate to her. I love that she invites you to participate by writing down what you are learning as you go. I highly recommend this book for anyone who feels they can’t reach their full potential - or don’t know what their purpose is.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great 6 week bible study by Wendy Pope written for Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study. It covers Fears, faults, failures, and frailties all make us feel disqualified from serving God but.... This book guides you into stepping into your calling. This also was accompanied by facebook video chat, blogs, etc. The book contains questions and some places to journal your walk through these topics. The blogs and FB page is free to join as well.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Wendy Pope’s writing. It’s as if she’s right there chatting with you! It was a good study to go through and see God can use us, despite how we see ourselves or our past. God can still work in and through us! As she says, we’re each a “Worthwhile Possibility!” I enjoyed studying more about Moses’ story also through this Bible study.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book. It is hard to discuss your failures, fears, frailties and faults. In the book, Wendy shows us that God can use us in all areas of our lives no matter what has happened in our lives.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Pope’s book is fabulous! I can not recommend it more highly! Through the story of Moses, she guides the reader to unmask her hidden potential by learning what God can do through her failures, fears, frailties, and faults, while also exploring how God can use her future. There are discussion questions and journal prompts at the end of each chapter as well as personal stories from different women as to how God redeemed their Fs. I found this book very inspiring and a fun read due to Wendy’s humor and down to earth conversational tone. Highly recommend!

[Zella Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book would be helpful, especially for young Christians who want to find the place that God has for them in His work. It offers encouragement, possibilities, and it also offers some challenges. Overall, a good read.

[Lila Diller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book because of its negativity and lack of practicality.

The subtitle is “Revealing What God Can Do Through You,” but it didn't. It really focused on four negatives that we think get in the way of realizing our full potential for God. These four F's – think of them like big, red marks from your teacher on the top of the page of your life – are failures, fears, frailties, and faults. The author uses Moses as her main example of all of these. However, she used one event in Moses' life to represent both his failure and his fault.

I don't feel like she really ever led us to anything we could do, other than just change our mindset. Of course, when you view life through the filter of determinism, there's not much that we're responsible for. Yes, our weaknesses and sins can be used by God, but they weren't all given by Him. Some are. But others are not. We need to take responsibility for those and let God redeem the rest while working to show the results of our salvation in our transformation more and more into the image of the Son (Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

I did like the questions and journal space right at the end of each chapter.

And I loved the Personality Profiles, written by four other women, at the end of each F chapter.

While there was much I disagreed with, I did find some favorite quotes I do agree with:
“He can transform weakness to power, regret to purpose, and anxiety to peace.” (p. 22)

“The joy of life is knowing Him and getting to know Him better and better.” (p.33)

“Our failure is not more powerful than our God... He is more than capable of taking what we messed up, turning it upside down, twisting it sideways, and making it work for our good and His ultimate glory.” (p. 65) – the definition of redemption

“Failure is a great teacher; we just have to be willing to learn the lessons.” (p. 68)

“The wrong fear is prone to creep in when we shift our focus away from God and onto our abilities, strengths, and qualifications. When our gaze is fixed on the assignment, rather than on the One who assigns, we are likely to fear and possibly bolt.” (p. 103)

“It's so easy to look at our circumstances—lack of education, limited resources, low esteem, or lessened physical abilities—and wonder, Am I valuable even though I feel damaged?” (p. 117)

“If we don't properly deal with our frailties, they can become such a huge part of who we are that freedom apart from them is frightening. Our frailties can even become comfortable to us... Freedom is oh-so-wonderful, but it is also very scary.” (p. 134)

“God provided every job to give me the tools I would need on the journey He was taking me on to bring glory to Himself.” (p. 144, Meg)

“He's famous for taking the old and making it new. He longs to do new in you.” (p.186)

(I received this book for free from the Proverbs31 as a small group leader. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own, as was my decision to write a review.)

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it taught me to accept myself. It helped me take a step back and look at how god is using me vs how I can use god. It sounds terrible to say but i was able to step back and let god choose me! I loved it needless to say it tackled all the sins in a way that is pleasing to god!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I love a good Christian personal growth book and Hidden Potential by Wendy Pope delivered. This is the first time that I have read anything by Wendy Pope to be honest I did not know much about her. I decided to pick this book up because I wanted to participate in the Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study for the month of June and July. I often do their bible/book studies so I was excited for this one especially since it was all about how God can use you despite your failures, fears, frailties and faults. It then goes onto talking about what God can do through your future if you let Him.
Wendy does a great job of incorporating the story of Moses into this book along with her own. Wendy talks about how even though Moses had done some shady things God was still able to use him for His own purpose. She also goes on to share some of the struggles in her life along with some of her friends struggles. She talks about that despite those things God has managed to use the struggles of their lives to bring them closer to Him. I really enjoyed how down to earth and open Wendy came across in this book. It was almost like she was sitting right their with me as I read.
One of the things that I really appreciated about this book is that there are sections in it to stop and absorb what you have just read. Wendy has created a workbook within the book after each chapter where you can reflect on the questions she asks and journal on what you have read.
This book is a definite in my opinion for anyone who wants to become closer with God and to grow their relationship. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot along the way.

[Sarah Van Hulzen]

Usually, I am not into these kinds of books. No offense to typical Proverbs 31 Ministry books, but I've always felt them to be fluff. For whatever reason, I viewed many of these types of books as "written by middle-aged white women for middle-aged white women". And most days, I don't have the time of day for middle-aged white women, (@all the Karens of the world).

But I was convicted that my pride put me above the typical middle-aged white women of the world. Yes, while "Karens" can be problematic, it doesn't mean there aren't certain things I can learn from them.

So while I still feel this book is kind of one of those typical Proverbs 31 ministry books, I did glean value from what I read. For anyone feeling doubts about their worth, this book rechannels our thoughts by walking us through the narrative of Moses, and how God uses him through his faults and frailties. And God will do the same with us.

Shout out to middle-aged white woman, Wendy Pope. I was humbled and convicted concerning my feelings towards "Karens", and I was reminded that God sees me, knows me, and will use me as He sees fit.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not giving this book a two-star review because it is a bad book. And, God used this book in a positive way in my life. This book is more evangelical in nature, so it is just not for me.

Pope has many sweet anecdotes and seems very, very likeable. She walks through the Scripture using Moses to illustrate how God uses everyone and gifts everyone in certain ways. She makes a distinction between faults, failures, and frailties; claiming that faults are not sinful. I don't think I agree with that theologically, but I get her overall point.

This would be a great book to give to someone curious about Christianity or a new believer. Proverbs 31 is a great ministry!

[Blythe Drilling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had this book on my shelf for many years, and I finally picked it up. I was hoping for so much more from this book. While parts of it were convicting, and at times made me self examine, it still fell flat overall. It felt superficial and fluffy at times, instead of the hard-hitting truths I expected. I would have given another star, but I saw she used the Passion Translstion, not a sound translation for any Christian. This translation can lead people astray and minimize the depths of God's Word.

[Samantha Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have hidden potential. In this book, Wendy shares how God gives each of us potential, even among our faults, frailties, and failures. She dissects Moses' story and shares personal stories from women in her life who accepted their own faults, frailties, and failures and leaned on God to move forward. If you want to dive into who you are and who God wants you to be with the guidance of God's Word and other women, then I highly recommend this book.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What fears are you allowing to control you?”
The intention behind this piece is true, but it felt as though the narrator was speaking in circles. We should not allow our fears and failures to rule but should instead seek redemption and trust in God, the tale of Moses serving as an example of this, but it was ultimately just a summation of his tale and not a relation to modern issues that we all struggle with beyond her own loosely referenced experience.

[Kendle Crider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read. Kind of leaves without clear answers except for continuing to stay close to God and his word to find your potential.
Interesting perspective on Moses - that is making me want to dive in deeper to read his story more.
Good source of scripture if you are uncertain of where to begin or read the Bible.

[Rachael Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is evidence of Wendy’s love for God, for His Word, and for helping women realize all that God has for them. She addresses the feelings so many of us have through Biblical insight and real life examples to help us move past what has been holding us back from living God’s purpose. I’m grateful for voices like Wendy’s that champion and embolden us to be all we were created to be!

[Diana Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how honest the author was in this book. She used real life experiences from herself and others she knows to bring her points to real life scenarios. Her Scripture references and reflection questions really help in the comprehension process.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that helps us move forward in our Christian walk. Too often we allow things in our lives to keep us stuck. This book uses biblical stories and the author’s personal experiences to show you how to move on and find your hidden potential.

[Holly Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Potential was a great study on the life of Moses. It challenged me to think about the areas of my life that I have allowed failures, fears, frailties, faults, and my future to limit me in the steps of faith I’ve taken in my walk with the Lord.

[Debra Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

It's a great book for people who would have backslidden from God to encourage them back into God's presence and for those who don't know God to come to know him and experience his abundant love. Great book!

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, solid Bible study focusing mainly on the story of Moses and how we can learn from his experiences and recognize that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, no matter what our failures, fears, frailties, and faults may be.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all have our four "Fs." Failures, fears, frailties, and faults. Take these to God and watch what He can do through you! I did this study with Proverbs 31 online and watch some great videos that went along with this.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Wendy’s thoughts hit deep and had me pursuing lots of prayer over where God is leading me. I’m looking forward to applying what I learned in the book to my life. Definitely worth a read.

[Robyn Mulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

This book inspired me to run to God and live into the potential he sees in me. I know he'll help me follow him in spite of my fears, failures, frailties, and faults. Can't wait to see what he has planned for me!