Process vs. Outcome: Why God Cares More About Your Discipline Than Your Results

In a world obsessed with outcomes, performance, and metrics, this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast delivers a radical, much-needed reset. In Ep. 215 | Process vs. Outcome: Why God Cares More About Your Discipline Than Your Results, Nick Surface is joined by guest Josh Craft for a rich, practical, and spiritually grounded conversation that challenges our cultural view of success and redirects it toward something far more eternal: obedience to God.

This isn’t just an episode for high performers or goal-setters. It’s for anyone who’s ever asked, “Am I doing enough? Am I making progress? What does success even look like to God?”

Josh and Nick offer a compelling answer:
God doesn’t judge by your scoreboard—He looks at your obedience.

Obedience > Outcome

The core idea in this episode is simple, yet revolutionary:
You can do everything “right” and still not get the result you want. And God can still say, “Well done.”

Josh shares a personal story about how he walked through a season where he did exactly what God asked—without seeing the fruit he expected. It was deeply frustrating, even disorienting.

“I was waiting on the breakthrough, expecting the payoff… but what I got instead was more silence. And yet God had never been clearer: Just stay obedient.” — Josh Craft

Nick echoes this by reminding listeners that results can be misleading—especially when they come from compromised motives or flesh-driven ambition.
Faithfulness, however, is never wasted.

This is especially relevant in today’s culture, where success is often reduced to social media likes, follower counts, or financial gain.

“God isn’t keeping score like the world is. He’s asking: Did you trust Me? Did you do what I asked, even when it didn’t ‘work’ yet?” — Nick Surface

The Trap of Results-Based Identity

One of the more powerful insights from Josh Craft is how subtly our identity becomes linked to results—especially for high achievers.

He shares how easy it is for Christian men to confuse calling with career or fruit with validation:

• “If this ministry grows, then I’m in the center of God’s will.”

• “If this business succeeds, it proves I heard God.”

• “If people approve, then God must too.”

But that’s not how God measures success.

“When our identity is tied to results, we start worshipping outcomes instead of obeying instructions.” — Josh

The way forward? Separate your identity from your results.
You are not your bank account.
You are not your platform.
You are not your outcome.

You are a son of God, called to walk in obedience—no matter what the scoreboard says.

God Is a Father, Not a Boss

Nick and Josh go deep on a theme that sets this episode apart: the Father-heart of God.

In business or performance-driven environments, the pressure to “produce” is relentless. You either deliver—or you’re out.

But God doesn’t treat His children like employees. He treats them like sons.

“Your earthly boss might care about the result. But your Heavenly Father is trying to form your heart.” — Nick

Josh opens up about how becoming a father himself helped reframe his understanding of God’s grace and patience. When his child falls while learning to walk, he doesn’t scold them for not running faster. He celebrates the effort and helps them get back up.

That’s how God sees us.

Obedience is not about getting it all right—it’s about trusting and walking with the One who is right.

What Discipline Really Means

The conversation takes a practical turn as Josh and Nick talk about how to live out this obedience daily. And it centers around discipline.

Not the militaristic, legalistic version of discipline.
But discipline as an expression of love and submission.

“Discipline isn’t a punishment—it’s preparation.” — Josh

You don’t train to impress God. You train to be ready—to carry what He’s entrusted to you, to resist the pull of culture, and to walk in sustained purpose.

This shows up in:

• Your morning routine

• Your quiet time

• How you treat your spouse

• How you lead your team

• What you do when no one’s watching

Josh notes that discipline is a declaration of who’s Lord in your life.
Are you ruled by your cravings?
Or ruled by your convictions?

Real Talk for Real Life

This episode doesn’t just inspire—it equips.

Nick and Josh cover:

• How to break free from “performance Christianity”

• The difference between striving and surrender

• Why God often delays outcomes to develop character

• The danger of comparing your “results” to someone else’s highlight reel

• How to stay steady when God seems silent

“You’re not responsible for the outcome. You’re responsible for obedience.” — The Impossible Life Podcast

Final Thoughts: Obedience Is the Outcome

If you’ve been caught in the trap of measuring your life by your fruit, your following, or your external success—this episode is your reset.

You were never called to build a brand.
You were called to build your life on the Rock.

And that’s exactly what obedience does.
It builds you into a person who can withstand the storms, walk in peace, and leave a legacy that heaven celebrates.

“Success in the Kingdom isn’t what you build. It’s who you become through obedience.” — Josh Craft

Let the world chase outcomes.
You chase obedience.