Growing Through the Trials

Dr. Nick Castellano
 

"His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue..." 
2 Peter 1:3

What we focus on, we create. 

Dr. Nick Castellano shared his powerful testimony of enduring dialysis and receiving a kidney transplant, a journey that deepened his understanding of what it truly means to trust God. He acknowledged that while Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” as a man who once wanted to handle everything on his own, he admitted, "That’s easier said than done."

Yet, God never intended for us to carry life's burdens alone. Studies show that 95% of all disease is caused by stress, and stress is the very thing God calls us to surrender. When trials come, we have a choice: we can humble ourselves, repent from relying on our own strength, shift our mindset, and trust in God’s power within us to walk in victory. Or we can become victims, blame others, and give away our power to those who have hurt us.

Dr. Nick emphasized that unforgiveness limits the power of God within us. If we want to understand what we truly believe, we only need to look at the life we’ve created. He challenged us to remain moldable and open to God’s transformation, allowing Him to write His desires on our hearts.

"Your power is infinite," he declared. But activating the power of the Holy Spirit requires two things: belief and action. Faith is an action step. What we expect is what we receive. With great power comes great responsibility, and God has given us the authority to change our lives—starting now. When we align our thinking with God’s truth, we step into a reality of blessings, power, and divine authority.

To help us shift into this new way of thinking, Dr. Nick shared some life-changing tools. He encouraged us to keep a gratitude list, writing down what we are thankful for every day. He also stressed the importance of declaring “I am” statements—truths about who God says we are—so that we can fully step into our identity in Christ. Another powerful tool is keeping a record of moments “when God has come through,” reminding us of His faithfulness in times of need.

Dr. Nick starts each day with prayer, meditation, and sitting on Papa God’s lap, co-creating his day with his Heavenly Father. He encouraged us to commit to these practices—not just for a day, but for a lifetime.

There is so much more to this powerful message, click here to watch.