Releasing Your Potential by Dr. Myles Munroe ( a Book Review )

“Releasing your Potential” was written by a bestselling author Dr. Myles Munroe. He is a lecturer, teacher, coach, and leadership mentor and also a multi-gifted international motivational speaker and business consultant. He has published numerous best-selling books including: Understanding Your Potential, The Purpose and Power of Love and Marriage, and Rediscovering the Kingdom. He addresses some critical issues affecting every aspect of human, social, and spiritual development. This book is an approach to unleashing the awesome potential trapped within you. It also reveals a step-by-step pathway to release your potential. If you have been unsatisfied by your ideas, visions or dreams, this book will help you a lot to activate your productivity. The publisher of this book was Destiny Image Publishers; Expanded edition (February 1, 2007). If you find it interesting you can grab a copy of this book at Philippine Christian Bookstore at SM Fairview Annex. This book cost ₱650.00

In chapter 1 it explains that our “potential is world’s inheritance” which means that each of us comes into this world with an assignment to fulfill that each of us must be responsible in your responsibilities. The second principle in this chapter is “You came into the world pregnant with unlimited potential” God gives us unlimited potential to do our work and must value it. The third principle is “Creation’s destiny is tied to the release of your potential” explains that God’s creation is waiting for a man’s glory or true potential to be visible. And the last principle in this chapter 1 is “The fact that you were born is evidence that God knew earth needed the potential you are pregnant with” explains that before leaving this earth, each of us must contribute and fulfill our dreams, visions and ideas even though it’s big or small.

In chapter 2 it explains that “God placed in you to be benefit the world” it simply means that God created us because we have a purpose to fulfill. The second principle in this chapter is “Potential must be used or it will be aborted” explains that if we don’t use our skills or capabilities to do a thing it will no longer use or useless. The third principle is “Satisfaction with success kills potential” explains you must not satisfy in little or more achievements, we must give our full potential.

In chapter 3 it explain that “God created everything with potential” the best example for this passage is Genesis 1:12 describes how God created the plants and the trees, each “bearing seed according to their kinds” The first chapter in Genesis also gives an account of the creation of the birds, the creatures of the sea, the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals. Everything that God created was blessed with potential. The second principle is “What God planned came forth from the substance to which He spoke” explains in the book that first, God planned what He wanted to create. Second, He decided what kind of material substance from which the thing was to be created and, fourth, exactly what He spoke came forth from that to which He spoke.

In chapter 4 I’ll give some principles that govern potential. First, what God speaks to is the sources for what He creates. Second, all things have the same components and essence as the source from which they came. Third, everything in life has the potential to fulfill its purpose and lastly Potential is determined and revealed by the demand placed on it by its creator. Now I’ll give the principles in this chapter “You came from God” explains that were created in God's own image. The second principle is, “God gave you the ability to fulfill your potential” explains that God gave us freewill to express our maximum strength.

In chapter 5 explains that “God designed you to operate by faith” simply means that faith without work is dead. The second principle is “God has plan for your life” before you were born, God had a plan and purpose for your life. He gave you special abilities to accomplish everything that He intended. The third principle is “You must have a relationship with your Creator to discover your purpose” simply explains that the only way you can discover your purpose is through a relationship with the One who made you. The last principle is “The Bible is God’s manual on you. You need to know and heed the requirements, guidelines, and warning it contains.” explains that Bible is God’s Word to us. It is the key of understanding God’s plan for us knowing how to understand the Holy Bible.

In chapter 6 it explains that “God believes in you and your abilities” explains that God wants to see yourself and your abilities the way He sees you. He puts great value on you and encourages each step you take toward even a small part of your abilities and talents. God believes in you. The second principle in this chapter is, “You are as valuable and capable as God says you are” in God’s eyes there is only one thing that He values and that is you! You are the apple of His eye. He created you in His image. You are the reason this planet exists.

In chapter 7 it explains “God redeemed your eternal potential through the death of Jesus” I’ll give the best example in this passage. Although Jesus redeemed your spirit man, your body has not yet been redeemed. After Jesus rose from the dead, He promised that he would return to redeem your body. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:20-21,51b-52). The second principle is “You were designed to live by faith” simply means that we were created by a faithful God to live by faith. And the last principle in this chapter is “Faith is believing, seeing, releasing, and receiving.” Faith comes by hearing, and seeing comes by believing and acting on what you heard.

In chapter 8 it explains that “Ignorance produces abuse” explains that ignorance robs you of your potential because it leads to abuse. The word abuse is based on two words: abnormal and use. The second principle is “You must understand why you do what you do” I’ll give the best examples in this passage First Corinthians chapter 13 is an example of how we can abuse things if we don’t know their purpose. Chapter 13 comes out of chapter 12, which talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines. And now I will show you the most excellent way. Love is patient, Love is Kind. (1 Corinthians 12:4,7,11,31b; 13:4a)

In chapter 9 there are five types of resources we must understand and control. These resources are Spiritual Resources; these resources include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongue and prophecy. The second resource is the Physical Resources God created us; He created our spirit and put into our body. The third resources the Material Resources I’ll give the best example in this passage God’s conversation with Adam in the Garden of Eden shows that God provide well for Adam’s needs: Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” The forth resources is the Resources of the Soul Genesis 2:7 God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. The fifth and the last resource that God given to us is the Resource of Time, time is a temporary interruption in eternity. The only thing you can do with time is to use it. In this chapter there are principles the first one is the “God gives you resources to live on, not for” simply means that God give you resources so that you can accomplish what He put you here to do. The second principle is “The improper use (abuse) of resources kills potential.” An incorrect use of resources can kill our prospective.

In chapter 10 it explains that “God designed everything to function in a specific environment” explains that the conditions of an environment are the qualifications that affect the individual’s capability to accomplish its purpose. The second principle is “Keep God’s word on your lips to create a positive atmosphere” simply means that in order to enjoy a good life, you must learn the value of God’s Word on your lips. And the last principle in this chapter is “Leave a wrong environment or change it” its either you leave it or stay but you change your environment in order to enjoy life.

In chapter 11 it explains that “God or money will rule your life” these are the two major’s forces in our world. If money motivates you, greed will control your actions. If God empowers you, His purposes for your life will control you. This conflict between God and money is very unmistakable in our attitudes to work. The second principle is “God wants you to be a good worker, not a job keeper” God is more interested in your attitude toward work than the status of your checkbook. God has the power to increase your bank account balance, but He can’t force you to have an optimistic outlook toward work. And the last principle in this chapter is “God gives you work to meet your need for personal fulfillment” simply means that God want you to fulfill all that He created you to do and be, and must you be responsible.

In chapter 12 it explains that “The absence of work is stealing” simply says that a thief is anyone who relies on the productivity of others. Taking the benefits of work without contributing in the effort is theft. The second principle is “You rob yourself and others when you are lazy” like theft, laziness carries many penalties. I’ll give you some examples of these penalties. The first one is hunger: Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger. (Proverbs 13:15) The second penalty is isolation and shame: A poor man is shunned by all his relatives--how much more do his friends avoid him! (Proverbs 13:7) The third penalty is the reluctance to take you seriously: The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” (Proverbs 22:13) The forth penalty is the loss of opportunities for advancement: Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. (Proverbs 22:29) The fifth penalty is the inability to see you own need to get up and work: The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. (Proverbs 26:16) The sixth penalty is an increasing loss of ambition: The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. (Proverbs 26:15) The seventh penalty is the desire to sleep: As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. (Proverbs 26:14) The eight penalty is the inability to take pride in what you have accomplished: The slothful man roasted not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. (Proverbs 12:27) The ninth penalty is slavery diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (Proverbs 12:24) The tenth and last penalty is poverty; it results of all the other penalties: All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

In chapter 13 it explains that “The achievement of greatness requires work” simply means that if you put a lot of effort toward work it will lead you to success. The second principle is “Faith without work is unproductive” simply means that faith without work is dead. The third principle and last is “God designed you to fulfill your purpose by working” God's overall purpose for you means He wants you to establish and maintain Christian priorities. These include putting God first, confessing any sins, forgiving anyone that's hurt you, and finding ways to be a blessing to someone else.

In the last chapter 14 explains that “God gave you potential for the blessing of future generations” God designed everything not only to reproduce itself but also transfer and transmit its life and treasure to the next generation. The last principle is “The greatest need of ability is responsibility” it means that God places demands on your potential by giving your ability responsibility.

This book helps me a lot to understand its content. Every chapter has its own word to inspire. The word of God and sharing of Bible verses. This book helps us to release our skills, our visions, ideas and dreams to become a reality. It makes me think that no one can really show our potential except God because He knows every individuals capacities and limitations. My favorite part of this book is the chapter 6 where you can find my favorite quote it said that “If you are addicted to cigarettes, you are being controlled by a leaf. If you are ruled by alcohol, you are being controlled by grain. Leaves and grain are the earth. God created you to dominate the earth, not the earth dominates you” This book is easy to read but definitely got the message across. I also recommend this book to those people who are still unable or still seeking their hidden potentials, because there are many chapters in this book that gives information and citations which are helpful to understand why it is necessary to discover our potentials and it also applicable to those who are unsatisfied in their dreams, visions and ideas. I conclude that it is a must read inspirational book written by Dr. Myles Munroe.