--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I recently found myself going through a…" description: "\"I recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Chris..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/johnny-cash-1517_believability_i-recently-found-myself-going-through-a_467047.jpg" --- # I recently found myself going through a period of… ![“I recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Christian witness and the knowledge of God's will in my life. I felt a force bigger than myself saying, 'Lay back. Take it easy. Study hard. Read your…” quote by Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/johnny-cash-1517_believability_i-recently-found-myself-going-through-a_467047.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/johnny-cash-1517_believability_i-recently-found-myself-going-through-a_467047.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/035/johnny-cash-1517_believability_i-recently-found-myself-going-through-a_467047.jpg) > “I recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Christian witness and the knowledge of God's will in my life. I felt a force bigger than myself saying, 'Lay back. Take it easy. Study hard. Read your bible. Think, write and keep your mouth shut for awhile.'” [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes a crisis of identity and purpose, feeling divine guidance to pause, study, and reflect before speaking further. **In simple terms:** Feeling lost, he hears a call to pause, study, and reflect. Key Takeaway Pause, study, and listen before acting. Themes identity faith purpose self‑reflection Mood introspective thoughtful Type advice spiritual personal growth When to use this quote - career doubts - public speaking - creative block - spiritual decision‑making Key Concepts spiritual guidance personal crisis Questions to Reflect On - What does “lay back” mean for you? - How can study guide future choices? A Different Perspective May lead to inaction if over‑cautious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believability/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [God 's will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-will/) [Knowledge of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-of-god/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) [Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality/) [Take it easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take-it-easy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [People interpret things through their owns lens, just the way they do the Bible. You can find justification for just about everything in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-paxton/people-interpret-things-through-their-owns-lens-just-the-way-they-do/) [Bill Paxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-paxton/) > [I've read the Bible. I think the Bible's a great book, but it's a novel. It's beautifully written and la-di-da, but people really took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-ve-read-the-bible-i-think-the-bible-s-a-great-book-but-it-s-a-novel/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [If the bible myth of Jonah in the whale and the Mother Goose myth of Jack and the Beanstalk were switched at birth so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/if-the-bible-myth-of-jonah-in-the-whale-and-the-mother-goose-myth-of/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Of the Divine character of the Bible, I think, no man who deals honestly with his own mind and heart can entertain a reasonable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/of-the-divine-character-of-the-bible-i-think-no-man-who-deals/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [“A man is what he thinks about all day long - Ralph Waldo Emerson. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-badami/a-man-is-what-he-thinks-about-all-day-long-ralph-waldo-emerson-as-a/) [Rahul Badami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-badami/) > [When you read the Bible, you must think that here and now, God is speaking with me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/when-you-read-the-bible-you-must-think-that-here-and-now-god-is/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“Where are you going?" "To get my Bible." "Right now? You can't get your Bible out right now! I'm, I'm, we're just about to..."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeanne-gist/where-are-you-going-to-get-my-bible-right-now-you-can-t-get-your/) [Deeanne Gist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deeanne-gist/) > [“At this point, probably in my late teens, I had stopped reading the bible. I think I wanted to read it (just to earn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-wambui-ngabura/at-this-point-probably-in-my-late-teens-i-had-stopped-reading-the/) [Carol Wambui Ngabura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-wambui-ngabura/) > [I think there's nothing about evolution in the Bible; I think this is a statement of religious insecurity. But people have their beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-agre/i-think-there-s-nothing-about-evolution-in-the-bible-i-think-this-is/) [Peter Agre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-agre/) > [“I want to read the employment section of the Bible. I think it’s simply called Job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-want-to-read-the-employment-section-of-the-bible-i-think-it-s/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I still hope. I wouldn't be in this position if I didn't. I love the church. I love the Bible. But I think we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/i-still-hope-i-wouldn-t-be-in-this-position-if-i-didn-t-i-love-the/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [We stand in the shadow of the Bible today as opposed to in the pages of the Bible. I think that the biblical illiteracy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-hanegraaff/we-stand-in-the-shadow-of-the-bible-today-as-opposed-to-in-the-pages/) [Hank Hanegraaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-hanegraaff/) > [It's something that people relate to - and I hope my kid doesn't relate to - but there's a level of believability in playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-sisto/it-s-something-that-people-relate-to-and-i-hope-my-kid-doesn-t-relate/) [Jeremy Sisto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-sisto/) > [I sing songs that I have lived or I write them because I have lived them. I think the believability factor is key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/i-sing-songs-that-i-have-lived-or-i-write-them-because-i-have-lived/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [If you stumble over mere believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-over-mere-believability-what-are-you-living-for-love/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) ## More by Johnny Cash > [I read novels but I also read the Bible. And study it, you know? And the more I learn, the more excited I get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-read-novels-but-i-also-read-the-bible-and-study-it-you-know-and-the/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [You're so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/you-re-so-heavenly-minded-you-re-no-earthly-good/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Of emotions, of love, of breakup, of love and hate and death and dying, mama, apple pie, and the whole thing. It covers a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/of-emotions-of-love-of-breakup-of-love-and-hate-and-death-and-dying/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Until things are brighter.. I'm the man in black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/until-things-are-brighter-i-m-the-man-in-black/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-m-thankful-for-a-pair-of-shoes-that-feel-really-good-on-my-feet-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I knew I wanted to sing when I was a very small boy. When I was probably 4 years old. My mother played a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-knew-i-wanted-to-sing-when-i-was-a-very-small-boy-when-i-was/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [No matter how much you've sinned, no matter how much you've stumbled, no matter how much you fall, no matter how far you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/no-matter-how-much-you-ve-sinned-no-matter-how-much-you-ve-stumbled/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [ I met Sam Phillips when he came in \[studio\] and I said, I'm John Cash. I'm the one who's been calling. And if you'd… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-met-sam-phillips-when-he-came-in-studio-and-i-said-i-m-john-cash-i/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [My mother told me to keep on singing, and that kept me working through the cotton fields. She said God has his hand on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/my-mother-told-me-to-keep-on-singing-and-that-kept-me-working-through/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I started to write the song. And I was in Gladewater, Texas, one night with Carl Perkins and I said, I've got a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-started-to-write-the-song-and-i-was-in-gladewater-texas-one-night/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Don't take voice lessons. Do it your way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/don-t-take-voice-lessons-do-it-your-way/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakable faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-expect-my-life-to-end-pretty-soon-you-know-i-m-71-years-old-i-have/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [I say I'm not a singer, so that means I can't sing. But - doesn't it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-say-i-m-not-a-singer-so-that-means-i-can-t-sing-but-doesn-t-it/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [However, neither he nor anyone else could have become the star Elvis was. Ain't nobody like Elvis. Never was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/however-neither-he-nor-anyone-else-could-have-become-the-star-elvis/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Everybody was wearing rhinestones, all those sparkly clothes, and cowboy boots. I decided to wear a black shirt and pants and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/everybody-was-wearing-rhinestones-all-those-sparkly-clothes-and/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) [Explore all 232 Johnny Cash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) ## More Believability quotes > [If you stumble over mere believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-over-mere-believability-what-are-you-living-for-love/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [I sing songs that I have lived or I write them because I have lived them. I think the believability factor is key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/i-sing-songs-that-i-have-lived-or-i-write-them-because-i-have-lived/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [It's something that people relate to - and I hope my kid doesn't relate to - but there's a level of believability in playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-sisto/it-s-something-that-people-relate-to-and-i-hope-my-kid-doesn-t-relate/) [Jeremy Sisto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-sisto/) > [When you're faced with a choice, you have one of three choices that you can have. You can have those with power decide. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/when-you-re-faced-with-a-choice-you-have-one-of-three-choices-that/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [You don't want to be acting your way towards something. The sense of believability has to be great, so bringing it as close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-dunbar/you-don-t-want-to-be-acting-your-way-towards-something-the-sense-of/) [Adrian Dunbar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-dunbar/) > [If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for? Isn't love hard to believe?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-at-mere-believability-what-are-you-living-for-isn-t/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [I try to tell the story about the song with the believability that I've lived it myself and I understand what it's all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/i-try-to-tell-the-story-about-the-song-with-the-believability-that-i/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [The truth will set you free: believability will give you credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/the-truth-will-set-you-free-believability-will-give-you-credibility/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [I don't quite operate within the realist mode. I kind of push the stories out towards the cusp of believability - that's the area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-barry/i-don-t-quite-operate-within-the-realist-mode-i-kind-of-push-the/) [Kevin Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-barry/) > [Freudian psychoanalytical theory is a mythology that answers pretty well to Levi-Strauss's descriptions. It brings some kind of order into incoherence; it, too, hangs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-medawar/freudian-psychoanalytical-theory-is-a-mythology-that-answers-pretty/) [Peter Medawar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-medawar/) > [“Authenticity is what makes a relatable person believable. It is what makes the relatability sustainable. Anyone can fake relatability for a time, but authenticity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-jennae/authenticity-is-what-makes-a-relatable-person-believable-it-is-what/) [Michele Jennae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-jennae/) > [If you stumble about believability, what are you living for? Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-about-believability-what-are-you-living-for-love-is/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [“If you stumble at mere believability, what are you living for?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/if-you-stumble-at-mere-believability-what-are-you-living-for/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [Pixar films are not realistic. They are believable for the worlds we are creating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/pixar-films-are-not-realistic-they-are-believable-for-the-worlds-we/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I don't even know of a room that doesn't have a flat-screen TV in it. These are things that just come in environments these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-pearse-connelly/i-don-t-even-know-of-a-room-that-doesn-t-have-a-flat-screen-tv-in-it/) [James Pearse Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-pearse-connelly/) [Browse all 29 Believability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I recently found myself going through a period of uncertainty about my future as a performer, my status as a personality, the believability of my Christian witness and the knowledge of God's will in my life. 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