“When you allow what someone says or does to upset you, you’re allowing that person to control you.”
―
Joel Osteen
“A lady told me about one of her husband’s relatives who was very opinionated. He was always making these cutting, demeaning remarks about her. This couple hadn’t been married that long. Every time they went to family get-togethers, this relative would say something to offend her. She would get all upset and it would ruin the day. She reached the point where she refused to even go to family events. Finally, she told her husband, “You’ve got to do something about that man. He’s your relative.” She was expecting her husband to say, “You’re right, honey. He shouldn’t talk to you like that. I will set him straight.” But the husband did just the opposite. He said, “Honey, I love you but I cannot control him. He has every right to have his opinion. He can say what he wants to, but you have every right to not get offended.” At first she couldn’t understand why her husband wouldn’t really stick up for her. Time and time again she would become upset. If this relative was in one room she would go to another. If he went outside she would make sure she stayed inside. She was always focused on avoiding this man. One day she realized she was giving away her power. It was like a light turned on in her mind. She was allowing one person with issues to keep her from becoming who she was meant to be. When you allow what someone says or does to upset you, you’re allowing them to control you. When you say, “You make me so mad,” what you’re really doing is admitting that you’re giving away your power. As long as that person knows they can push this button and you’ll respond this way, you are giving them exactly what they want. When you allow what someone says or does to upset you, you’re allowing them to control you. People have a right to say what they want, to do what they want, as long as it’s legal. But we have a right to not get offended. We have a right to overlook it. But when we get upset and go around angry, we change. What’s happening is we’re putting too much importance on what they think about us. What they say about you does not define who you are. Their opinion of you does not determine your self-worth. Let that bounce off of you like water off of a duck’s back. They have every right to have their opinion, and you have every right to ignore it.”
―
Joel Osteen
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ACTS 2:44–45”
―
Joel Osteen
“We have to realize that our lives could be gone in a moment. There are no guarantees that we will be here at this time next year. Learn to live each day to the fullest. Don’t complain. Don’t focus on what’s wrong. Be grateful for the opportunity to experience each day.”
―
Joel Osteen
“You cannot expect victory and plan for defeat.”
―
Joel Osteen
“Esta es la clave: las únicas promesas que se avivarán en su vida y terminarán convirtiéndose en realidad son las promesas en las que usted se levanta y dice: “Sí, eso es para mí”. Tiene que entrar en acuerdo con Dios y permitir que eso eche raíz.”
―
Joel Osteen
“Keep in mind, just because you don’t know the answer doesn’t mean that one does not exist. You simply haven’t discovered it yet.”
―
Joel Osteen
“crow is more agile so it can turn and maneuver more”
―
Joel Osteen
“Estoy convencido que un día miraremos hacia atrás a lo que habíamos visto como lo peor que nos pudo haber sucedido, y nos daremos cuenta que Dios usó aun aquel tiempo de adversidad para refinarnos, moldearnos, cambiarnos y prepararnos para lo bueno que nos queda por delante. Es interesante, ¿no cree? La adversidad, en muchas ocasiones, nos impulsa hacia nuestro destino divino.”
―
Joel Osteen
“You must conceive it in your heart and mind before you can receive it.”
―
Joel Osteen
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ROMANS 8:31–32”
―
Joel Osteen
“Surely, we all can look back and see things in our lives that we wish we would have done differently. But the Bible says, “Make the most of each day.”4 Yesterday is gone; tomorrow may not come. You must live for today. Start right where you are. You can’t do anything about what’s gone, but you can do a great deal about what remains.”
―
Joel Osteen
“You were created to give. You were created to make the lives of others better. Someone needs what you have. Someone needs your love. Someone needs your smile. Someone needs your encouragement and your gifts.”
―
Joel Osteen
“When you wake up, choose to be happy. That is the fourth undeniable quality of a winner.”
―
Joel Osteen