Joel Osteen Podcast - Having The Right Image on the Inside | Joel Osteen

Episode Date: November 7, 2025

Fear says, “You can’t.” Faith says, “God will!” This November, take a 30-day journey to renew your mind and walk confidently in God’s promises. Request No More Fear: You Have the Mind of Christ and choose faith over fear today!https://bit.ly/42Ti2dH Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of the Joel Osteen Podcast ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes.

We love you. We know God has great things in store. If you're ever in our area, please stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you, we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks so much for tuning in. And thank you again for coming out today. I'd like to start with something funny.

And I heard about these three sisters, ages 96, 94, 92. They lived together. And one day the 96-year-old draws a bath, and she puts one foot in and stops. She hollers downstairs and says, I can't remember if I was getting in or getting out. The 94-year-old says, hang on, I'll come up and help you. She gets halfway up the stairs and stops. She says, I can't remember if I was going up or coming down. And the 92-year-old shook her head and said, I hope I never get that forgetful.

And she knocked on wood for good luck. Then she said, hang on. I'll come help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door. That's not us, amen. Hold your Bibles up. Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am.

I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess, my mind is alert, my heart is receptive, I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk to you today about having the right image on the inside. How we see ourselves will determine what kind of life we're going to live. Too many people go around with low self-esteem and a poor self-image.

It's because they don't understand who they really are. You were born to win, but society has a way of conditioning us to lose. Through failures, rejection, mistakes we've made, if we're not careful, it will start to distort the true image of who we really are. You were never created to be average. You weren't created to just drag through life and barely get by. You have the blood of a champion on the inside. God created you in his own image. You didn't come From ordinary stock, you came from the best of the best. God breathed his life into you. You have his royal blood flowing through your veins.

He has equipped you with everything you need to succeed. You can overcome any obstacle. You can accomplish every goal. You have the DNA of Almighty God. The first step to live in this life of victory is you have to understand who you really are, a child of the Most High God. Think about these championship race horses.

They breed them with other champions. Many times these thoroughbreds will have generation after generation of winners in their blood. And when the little colt is born, it may not look like much. Its legs may be wobbly. It may not be super attractive. But those owners don't get discouraged. They don't say this isn't a thoroughbred. Look at it, his legs are not strong.

He's not muscular. or his stride is not the right length. They're not concerned about that. They're totally confident knowing that that little colt has winner after winner in its blood. That's the way you need to see yourself. You may have some flaws and weaknesses.

You may not be the best looking like I am. I'm just kidding. You may not be the most talented, the most intelligent, but that's okay because in your bloodline, you come from a long line of winners. You may not see it right now, but in your DNA is strength, ability, wisdom, fortitude. You are full of can-do power.

You are not ordinary. You come from a bloodline of champions. And it doesn't matter what your present condition looks like. You may have some addictions. You may feel a little insecure, but that doesn't change your DNA. That doesn't change what's in your blood. It was put in you by the creator of the universe. universe. But some people have believed that lie that they've gone as far as they can go and they're

just not that talented. They come from the wrong family. But you need to go back and check your bloodline. You are the seed of Almighty God. You've got to quit focusing on your weaknesses, quit dwelling on the mistakes you've made, and start seeing yourself as God sees you. As far as God is concerned, he's already crowned you a champion. He's already seen them putting the roses on you in the circle, you've been predestined to win, predestined to overcome. But it's so important that you have the right image of yourself on the inside. If you don't understand who you are and what God's already put in you, then it will start to distort that perception. That holds many people back. I remember when I was growing up, my father bought a new car for the family and he drove at home and as kids,

we ran out there to see it. We were so excited and we got in and had him drive. us around the neighborhood. It was a big deal. My father stood there so proud, beaming with joy, just loving that new car. Well, later that evening, Daddy was watching television and a commercial came on for a certain car. And of course, it had his attention since he had just bought one. And the commercial showed these very tight shots of all the car's features, showed a tight shot of the engine and talked about how powerful it was and how good the gas mileage was. And then it showed a tight shot of the dash and the wood between the seats and a little bit of the chrome bumper. On and on. It just made the car very beautiful, very enticing. My father told how the longer he

watched that commercial, the sicker he got. He thought to himself, I just bought the wrong stinking car. This car is so much more impressive. It has so many more features. It's so much more beautiful. Oh, he was feeling low like he had made a big mistake. But at the end of the commercial, the camera pulled back and he realized it was the exact car that he had just bought. What's my point? His car had all these features. He just didn't understand what he had. He wasn't excited about it until somebody explained to him what was sitting in his garage.

Now, I'm trying to explain to you today, in your garage, you have something extremely valuable, something extremely special. Ephesians 210 says, you are God's masterpiece. You are one of a kind. There's not another person in this world like you. But some of you are feeling kind of low. You're kind of down on yourself because you're not where you'd hope to be in life. Maybe you've made some mistakes. But let me encourage you, those mistakes did not change your DNA.

God did not make any failures. The psalmist said, you are fearfully and wonderful. made. You need to start seeing yourself as forgiven, redeemed, strong, anointed, equipped, empowered, full of possibility, well able to do what God's called you to do. And people may have tried to push you down and tell you what you can't do and what you don't have, but that doesn't change what God's put in you. Other people don't determine your destiny. God does. Somebody may have rejected you, somebody may have done you wrong, but that's okay. That's their problem. The good, news is, God accepts you, God approves you. You need to shake that off and don't allow it to

distort the image in your mind. One thing I've learned is no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. They may try to push you down. They may say hurtful, critical things, but it's totally up to you as to whether you let those words take root and begin to distort your self-image. You can either believe what they say about you or you can believe what God says about you. Just put your shoulders back and declare, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. They may say I don't have what it takes, but I say I'm well equipped. They may say I'll never amount to much. I say I have the blood of a winner. They may say I'm ordinary. I say I'm a thorough bread. They may say I'm average. I say I'm a masterpiece. Friends, you were born to win.

But if you don't stay on the offensive and keep the right image, then life will try to condition you to lose. I was reading about a 15-year-old boy. This was many years ago. He wasn't doing very well in school. And the teacher told him that he would probably never graduate, so he should just go ahead and drop out and begin to learn a trade. She meant well, but she didn't know what God put on the inside. God doesn't make us to give up and quit. But this young man, he didn't know any better. He didn't have anybody speaking faith into his life. And he took her advice. And for the next 17 years, He just fumbled through life, doing odd jobs here and there, never really accomplishing much. Every time he tried to go further and really tried to make something out of his life, those words would ring out.

You're not talented. You don't have what it takes. He allowed them to take root. The picture that was painted in his mind was very distorted. He didn't see himself for who he really was, a thoroughbred with the blood of a winter. He didn't go out each day knowing that he had the DNA of Almighty God, he saw himself as unintelligent, not talented, not able to. But one day something interesting happened. He applied at this company for just a low-level job, but the company

had a policy that every potential employee had to take an IQ test. Well, he took the test and he scored higher than anyone in that company's history. In fact, his IQ qualified him at the genius level. He was extremely bright, extremely intelligent. But for 17 years, he had allowed those words to convince him. He was just average, just ordinary.

This day, a light turned on. This day, he realized he was not ordinary. He was a thoroughbred. He didn't take that position. He started acting like a genius. He began to write books. He invented several products, which are now patented. He went on to start his own.

own company, it became very successful. Everything changed when he realized what he had. You may not have the IQ of a genius. I don't either, but I know this. I have everything I need to fulfill my destiny. You have exactly what you need to accomplish what God's put in your heart. You have the talent, the creativity, the right looks, the right personality. That's what it says in Ephesians 1, verse three, God has equipped us with every spiritual blessing. Notice how it's in the past tense. It doesn't say God's going to do it one day. One day, you're going to have more talent. One day God's going to give you more wisdom. One day you're going to have more ability. No, you've got to start seeing it differently. It's in you right now. And somebody may have tried to push you down,

but God's word overrides every negative word. You still have a bloodline of a winner on the inside. quit dwelling on what other people say about you and start listening to what God says about you. God says you are equipped. You are empowered. You are anointed. And the truth is, you may not always feel that way, but that's okay. If you'll get an agreement with God over time, your feelings will change. You may not feel very victorious today. You may have a lot of challenges. But you need to start telling yourself, I am more than a conquer. I am a victor and not a victim. You do that long enough, and one day it's going to drop deep down on the inside. You won't drag around, discourage. You'll know that you know that you're a thoroughbred, that you have the seed of Almighty God. And if God be for you, who dare even be against you? But many people like this young man, they've allowed the negative words from other people

to create a stronghold in their mind. It's holding them back. They don't think they can rise any higher. They don't think they'll ever overcome that sickness or they'll ever get married. But you've got to get in agreement with God. Understand this. Whatever God has called you, you already are. For instance, if I say this suit is white, then I'm not telling the truth because it's dark blue. But if God says this suit is white, then it's going to change to white because God cannot lie. Whether you realize it or not, whatever God has called you, you already are.

You may not feel like it, but you're going to change to white, but you're not. are more than a conquer. You are strong in the Lord. You are blessed and highly favored. You are talented and creative. You walk in divine health. You have wisdom and insight from above. That's all a part

of your DNA. It's already in you, but to activate it, you've got to start believing it. You can't go around believe in what other people say about you. You can't go around believe in what it's been like the last 10 years. This is a new day. I want you to have a bigger vision.

Let some of these new seeds of hope take root. When those discouraging thoughts come telling you that you'll never overcome, you've been this way too long. You'll never lose weight. You'll never beat that addiction. Just say, no, I'm going to go back and check my spiritual birth certificate. I'm going to see who my father is so I can know who I really am. In other words, let me verify, do I really have the DNA that I think I have? Am I really supposed to drag through life, defeated, and just?

discouraged. Am I really supposed to go around lonely and unfulfilled? Am I really always supposed to be in lack and never have enough? Let me check my DNA. No, it says right here, because I'm a child of the most high, God has crowned me with glory and honor. It says his favor surrounds me like a shield. It says no weapon formed against me will ever prosper. It says goodness and mercy is always going follow me. It says, because I walk in obedience, his blessings are going to chase me down and overtake me. If you struggle with low self-esteem, doubts, insecurities, on a regular basis, you need to check your spiritual birth certificate. You need to remind yourself who your heavenly father is. When you gave your life to Christ, you became a new creation, and Almighty God infused you with his DNA.

In your bloodline, there is winner after winner after winter. But if you're going to get that champion out of you, you've got to get in agreement with God and you've got to understand what he's given you, what he's already put on the inside. A lot of times I hear people say, well, I wish I had more talent. I wish I could do what he does or I wish I looked differently, but no, God has equipped you with exactly what you need. Take what you have and make the very most of it. I was reading about back in World War II, there was a famous actress by the name of Betty Grable. She was known for her beautiful legs. In fact, her legs were so special, she had them insured for a million dollars.

That was unheard of back then, a pair of million dollar legs. Well, can I show you another pair of million dollar legs? Look down at your own. If somebody offered to buy those from you for a million dollars, not one of you would sell it. Not if you're in your right mind. A few years ago, a man lost his arm in an accident at work. The court ordered the company to pay him $12 million. Look at your arm. You got a $12 million arm. Take care of that thing. A lady in another city was on a bus. They were in an accident and she injured her back to where she could not work anymore. The court ordered the city to pay her $20 million just for her back. Think about it. Just the three things that I've mentioned and you're already worth $33 million. You're starting to feel better about yourself, aren't you?

Imagine what your mind is worth. Scientists for years have tried to make a computer that can match what God's given us, but they can't come close. Sure, they can make computers that talk and calculate, but they can't make one that can reason, one that can love, one that can touch what you have. Just think about if you had to purchase your mind. Just say you had to pay a million dollars for it.

You would take extremely good care of it. You would program it with the right information. When those negative thoughts and those lies would try to infiltrate your system, you'd say, no way. I'm not putting that junk in. This thing costs me a lot of money. I'm going to take care of it. I'm convinced if we had to purchase our mind, our self-esteem and our outlook on life in

general would be a whole lot better. What am I saying? Recognize what God has given you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Don't ever say negative things. toward yourself. I'm slow, I'm unattractive, I'm not talented, I can't do anything right. No, quit criticizing God's creation. If you dwell on that long enough, it will become a reality. Not because that's who you really are, but because you open the door to it. Our faith works in the

positive or the negative. If you go around all day dwelling on negative, critical thoughts toward yourself, how you don't have what it takes, and you never get any good breaks, you'll see that come to pass. That's your faith at work. The problem is you're using it in the wrong direction. One time Jesus said to a blind man, become what you believe. That's a powerful statement. We will become what we believe about ourselves. Hey, you say, Joel, I'm not that talented. Nobody in my family has ever amounted to too much, and I guess I just come from the wrong side of the tracks. No, that kind of thinking will set the limits for your life. Understand with God there's no such thing as the wrong side of the tracks. The scripture says if you'll put your trust in him, God will make

your life significant. God wants to do something great with your life. He wants you to not only fulfill your dreams, but he wants you to leave your mark on our generation. Why don't you get in agreement with God? You're going to become what you believe. I read about this man that was walking down the street in a busy city in another country. And he came across this tattoo shop. On the window, there were all these tattoos that you could choose from. And he noticed this one particular one that said, born to lose. He couldn't believe it. He thought surely nobody will put a born to lose tattoo on their body. A few minutes, the owner of the little shop came out, and they got to talking. And out of curiosity, he asked him if anyone ever chose that born to lose tattoo.

and the owner shook his head, yes. And then he said something interesting. In broken English, he said, before tattooed on body, tattooed on mind. Now, how true that is. If you think you're just an average, ordinary person, then you're going to live an average, mediocre life. If you don't think anybody wants to be around you

and you're not attractive, then you're going to go through life lonely and unfulfilled. You've got to change your thinking. Understand you've got the DNA of a winner on the inside. instead of sitting around thinking I'm not talented, I'm not attractive, I don't have anything to offer no, just turn it around. I'm fun,

I'm creative, people like to be around me. Well, Joel, all I ever make is seize in school. I'm just not that smart. No, reprogram your thinking. Start telling yourself, I am an A student. I am smart, I'm intelligent, I've got the wisdom from above. I may not be there today, but I will

get there. And know this. Even if you go your whole school, and all you ever make is one A, you are an A student. You latch on to it. It doesn't matter. If you make an A in P.E. You make an A in homeroom. You make an A in lunch.

You stick it up on your mirror and say, I told you, I'm an A student. It's like this guy I heard about. He brought his report card home, and he had four Fs and one D. His father looked at him and said, son, it's obvious. You're spending too much time on one subject. No, have a bigger vision than that. You may have to have a tutor. You may have to work after school.

You may have to go during the summer. But you have got what it takes. Don't settle where you are. Well, I'm kind of shy. I'm kind of fearful. No, turn it around. I'm bold and courageous. Well, I'm unlucky, Joe.

I never get any good breaks. No, I have the favor of God. His blessings are chasing me down. You've got to reprogram your thinking. Start filling your mind with, I am blessed. I am proffered. I am valuable. I am anointed. I am equipped. I am creative. My past is forgiven. My present is secure. My future is bright. You know what happens when you meditate on thoughts like that? God's word will repair a damaged self-image. His word is bringing healing to you. People may have told you what you can't do, but when you go around dwelling or I can do all things through Christ, healing is taking place. You're getting back. You're getting back. You're getting back.

back to who you really are. You may have been hurt in a relationship. And you don't feel very special today. You don't feel very attractive. But if you'll start meditating on, I am a masterpiece, I am one of a kind, I have something to offer, my best days are ahead of me, great things are in store, you know what's happening? Healing is coming. Your self-image is being restored. I read where years ago, the government of Thailand wanted to build a new freeway, but right in the middle of their page, you know, there was a huge religious statue that had been there for years and years. It was very important to the people, greatly revered. And they knew when they went to move it, they had to be extremely cautious. It was a huge clay statue. And so they got all the cranes in place and very carefully and delicately. They tried to lift it,

but some of the clay began to crack. They stopped and reorganized and tried to do it even more delicately, but still more clay fell off. They were very distraught by it. They finally got the statue to its new location, and when they were taking it off the truck, a huge piece of clay fell off. One of the men working noticed something kind of shining through. He called the others over, and they began to examine it very carefully, and much to their amazement, they discovered underneath the clay, the statue was made out of solid gold. The clay was just, just a facade. It was never supposed to stay there, yet it had been there hundreds and hundreds of years. They thought the statue was worth $30,000 or $40,000, but come to find out it's worth millions and

millions. It's made out of solid gold. This is what happens to us many times. We don't realize what we have. We think I'm just an average, ordinary person. Nothing special about me. I'm just an old vessel made out of clay. Yes, you may be a clay vessel, but let me let you in on a secret on the inside you are solid gold. That's the way you need to start seeing yourself. In other words, I may look like a bunch of old hard clay to you, but deep down in here, I know I'm made in the image of Almighty God. I've got royal blood flowing through my veins. I'm not average. I'm not ordinary. I'm solid gold. It's in you. Well, you say, I've made a lot of mistakes. I've got a lot of flaws. I've got a lot of weaknesses. We all do. But the

scripture says, he that began a good work in you will continue to perform it until it's perfectly complete. That simply means that God's going to keep chipping away at that clay until he gets down to the gold. If you'll get in agreement with God and think the right thoughts and have that right image of yourself, you'll see more and more that gold begin to shine through. Instead of thinking things like, I'll never rise higher, I'll never overcome this addiction, I'll never get out of this problem. No, just turn it around. I can do all things through Christ. This addiction does not control me. It didn't come to stay. It came to pass. You know what happened? A little clay fell off and a little more gold is shining through. Well, you said, Joel, I don't think there's any gold in me. You don't know the life

that I've lived. You don't know the mistakes I've made. No, the good news is the gold is still in you. You take Jacob in the Old Testament. He was a deceiver. He had no integrity. He cheated his own out of his birthright. But God didn't give up on Jacob because he was making poor choices. God knew the gold was still in him. Jacob made some adjustments. He got back on the right track. And God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. You may have some hang-ups today, maybe even some issues like Jacob. But know this. Where you are is not where you're going to end up. In every Jacob, there's an Israel. Saul of Tarsus hated God's people. people, but God turned his life around and changed his name to the Apostle Paul. He went on to write

over half of the New Testament. That tells me in every Saul, there's a Paul. A young man Jesus dealt with was named Simon. He was hot tempered, used bad language, yet Jesus looked right at him and said, you are Simon, but you shall be Peter. Jesus was saying, it's not what you are that really matters, it's what you can become. You're just a diamond in the rough. Peter went on to become one of the great disciples. No matter where you are, no matter what you've done, it has not changed your DNA. When I look out at each of you,

I don't see a bunch of clay, I see solid gold. I know what's on the inside. I'm looking at champions. I'm looking at thoroughbreds. I can already see you standing in the winter circle. You may not see it just yet, but get a vision for it. You've got the DNA of Almighty God. This is your time to come up higher.

This is your time to let a little more of that gold shine through. Put your shoulders back. Have the attitude. I know who I am. I may be Saul right now, but that's okay. I know Paul's in me. I may be more like Jacob, but I know Israel is coming. Or I may be like a shepherd boy named David,

but I know a king is on the inside. Friends, I'm asking you to go for the gold. You've got what it takes. Almighty God has already put it in you. shake off any kind of low self-esteem. Don't ever let anyone make you feel less than. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. And if you'll develop the right image on the inside and see yourself as a thoroughbred, a champion, more than a conquer, God says you will become what you believe. You will rise higher and higher. You'll see more

clay fall off and more gold shine through. And you'll become everything God's created you to be. Amen. Do you receive it today? We never like to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say Lord Jesus. I repent of my sins.

Come into my heart. I make you, my Lord and Savior. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible-based church. Keep God first place. He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed up. Fear can be a powerful force and will try to make you feel alone, stuck, without hope.

But fear doesn't have to get the final say. There is a way out. Fear is a powerful force, but so is faith. What we focus on shapes our reality. In my new book, No More Fear, You Have the Mind of Christ, I'll show you how to silence fear and live boldly in faith and confidence. Just like David said, though I walk through the valley, I will not fear. you too can walk through life's challenges without being paralyzed by fear.

I can't promise you you'll never feel fear, but I can teach you how to rise above it by dwelling on what God says, learning to replace the anxious thoughts with faith-filled ones. You can live from a place of peace, power, and purpose. As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount this month, we would like to send you a copy of Joel's book, No More Fear. You have the mind of Christ. The Bible proclaims, The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Whom shall I fear? This powerful and practical book will help you silenced out, overcome anxiety, and step boldly into God's overcoming power. When fear whispers, you can't. This devotional will stir your faith to declare, God will.

Each page reminds you that you weren't created to live in fear or despair. You were created to live with passion, purpose, and confidence in God's plans for your life. Let God's word equip you to rise above fear and walk in victory. Fear doesn't have the final say. God does. Be bold, be strong, and step up to who he made you to be. Victoria and I want you to know we're praying for you and your family, believing for God's very best.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special year-in gift helps to keep the ministry strong. I always want to thank our champion of hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Until we see you next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of Joel's new book. No more fear. You have the mind of Christ. Visit Joel Osteen.com or call 888-5.5. And for an additional gift this month, we're also offering the God's Word Work study collection.

This empowering set includes the NIV, the Message Parallel Bible, Joel's No More Fear Devotional, the classic How to Read Your Bible and Enjoy it, plus a beautifully crafted leather bookmark with pen. You can request these inspiring scripture discovery resources by calling 888-567, Joel, or logging on to joel lowsteen.com today call or click any time 24 hours a day silence fear strengthen your spirit let god's word equip you to rise above fear and walk in victory request these resources today