It's Under Your Feet | Joel Osteen
00:00Hi, 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.God bless you.Such a joy to come into your homes.We love you.And if you're ever in our area, please stop by and be a part of one of our services.
00:22I promise you we'll make you feel right at home.Thanks so much for tuning in.And thank you again for coming out today.and I like to start with something funny.And I heard about this man.He was the only Protestant in a large Catholic neighborhood.And every Friday during Lent, while his neighbors were eating cold fish,he was grilling a steak in the backyard.
00:43They couldn't stand the temptation and decided to try to convert him to Catholicism.He finally agreed.The priest sprinkled water over him, said, you were born a Baptist,you were raised a Baptist, now you're a Catholic.The next year, on the first Friday,of Lent, they smelled the same smell in the air. They rushed to his house. He was in the backyard,sprinkling water over his steak. You were born a cow, you were raised a cow, but now you're a fish.Hold your Bible up. Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it
01:19says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess, my mindis 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 it's under your feet. How we see our difficulties very oftenwill determine whether or not we get out of them. When we face challenges and things come against us,it's easy to get overwhelmed and start thinking, this is never going to work out. I'll just have tolearn to live with it. Many people settled for mediocrity. But 1 Corinthians 15 says, God has put all thingsunder our feet. If you're going to live in victory, you have to see every sickness, every obstacle,every temptation as being under your feet. It's no match for you. It's not going to keep you from your
02:17destiny. It's already defeated. It's just a matter of time before you walk it out. But if you see it being too big,and I'll never break this addiction. My child will never straighten up. This sickness is going to be the end of me.That's going to cause you to feel weak, discouraged, intimidated. It's going to attract fear, worry, doubt.That kind of thinking not only pushes you down, but it stops God from working. You've got to change your perspective.That addiction is not going to dog you your whole life. It's under your feet. That depression that's been in your family for years.It's not going to get past to the next generation. It's under your feet. You're going to put a stop to it.That struggle, lack, barely getting by is not going to keep you from being blessed. It's under your feet.It's just a matter of time before you break through to a new level. Now, you've got to shake off the lives that are telling you it's too big.
03:16It's been this way too long. It's never going to change. No, this is a new day. God is saying every enemy, every sickness, every obstacle.It's not going to defeat you.It's going to promote you.It was meant to be a stumbling block to keep you down.God's going to use it as a stepping stone to take you higher.Keep the right perspective.It's under your feet.This is what David did.
03:41He faced all kinds of enemies.He said in Psalm 59,I will look down in triumph on all of my enemies.Notice not some of my enemies,all of my enemies.What am I going to do?look down. Why? Because they're under my feet. Now, you may be facing situations that don't feel likethey're under your feet. The sickness looks big. The financial difficulty seems impossible. Perhaps you've
04:09struggled with the addiction for years. But you can't go by what you see. You've got to go by what youknow. We walk by faith and not by sight. In the natural, it may look huge. But when you talk to thoseobstacles, like David, by faith, you need to look down. See, when you talk to God, we should look up.You look up to give God praise. You look up to ask God for help. But when you talk to sickness,look down. It's under your feet. Look down to talk to depression. You look down to talk to fear.I've heard it said, if you want to say something to the enemy, write it on the bottom of yourshoe because he's under your feet. Sometimes when there's a big boxing match, the day beforethe two fighters will come out at a press conference, and they'll stand toe to toe with their faces just two or three inches apart,
05:03and they'll look each other in the eye and just stand there and stare and stare, trying to intimidate each other.They're saying, I'm bigger, stronger, tougher, meaner, you're not going to defeat me.Well, when you face an enemy, something that's trying to keep you from your destiny, a sickness, a bad habit, an unfair situation,unlike those two fighters, you don't stand toe to toe to look that enemy in the eye.That enemy is not at your level.It may have a big bark.It may seem tough and big like you can't defeat it.No, the truth is, it's no match for you.
05:41For you to look that enemy in the eye, you need to look down under your feet.You are more than a conquer.Greater is he that's in you than he that comes against you.The enemy has limited power. God has all power. If God be for you, who dare be against you?Quit telling yourself, I'll always struggle in this area. I'll never lose this weight. I'll never get out of debt. No, change your perspective. You are not weak, defeated, inferior. You are full of can-do power. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. Now, some of you need to start putting some things.under your feet. God said, I have given you power to tread on all the power of the enemy. Think of thatword tread. One translation says, to trample. If you will see these obstacles as being under your feet,as being already defeated, then a new boldness will rise up. Your faith will activate God's power
06:44in a new way. I know this lady, she was diagnosed with cancer, and she's in her early 30s and has always been ashealthy as can be. When she got this news was such a shock to her, normally she's very outgoing andhappy, but her whole personality had changed. She got very depressed. All she thought about was howbad it was and how she might not make it. Instead of looking down at the cancer, she was lookingup to it. She had made it huge in our mind. The first place we lose the victory is in our own thinking.If you see the obstacle as being too big, it will keep you defeated.That's why when David faced Goliath, even though Goliath was practically twice his size,much bigger, stronger, had more experience, more equipment, the first thing David said was,
07:36Hey, Goliath, I will defeat you and feed your head to the birds of the air.That's one of those enemies David looked down on.By faith, he saw it as being smaller.If David would have just looked at it in the natural and thought about how much bigger,how much more experience, he would have never had the courage to face Goliath.David understood this principle. He knew how to see his enemies as being under his feet.I told this young lady, you've got to change your perspective. You've got to start looking downat that cancer. In the natural, it may be huge, but switch over to your eyes of faith. You and God
08:17or a majority. It was never meant to be a stumbling block. It was meant to be a stepping stone.You got to shake off the self-pity. And like David, put on a new attitude. Cancer, you will notdefeat me. You are under my feet. I will fulfill my destiny. I will live out my days in goodhealth. I am a victor and not a victim. She changed her outlook. She got her fire back,her passion back. She started fighting the good fight of faith. Today, she is four years. She is four,years cancer-free. She's so happy. A couple years ago, she got married. It wasn't a stumblingblock. It ended up being a stepping stone. But had she not seen the obstacle as being under herfeet, I don't believe it would have turned out that way. Because if we let life overwhelm us,
09:07we go around worried, stressed out, in self-pity, that not only affects us mentally,it affects us physically. It weakens our immune system. It won't fight off sickness and disease the wayGod created it too. The scripture says, the joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy is an emotion,and yet it creates something physical. It creates strength. When you're in tough times,you've got to shake off the worry, shake off the self-pity, shake off the disappointment,get your joy back. Have the right perspective. That enemy,that sickness, that obstacle, it is under your feet. It's not going to defeat you. It's going to promote you.2 Samuel 2240 says, You have armed me with strength for the battle. You have put my enemies under my feet.
09:59Friends, God knows every battle that you will ever face, every temptation, every obstacle. He has not only put it under your feet, but he's armed you with strength for that battle. He's already equipped you.quit telling yourself, this is too much. I can't handle it. No, the greatest force in the universeis breathing in your direction. Tap into that power. Start declaring, I am well able. I can do allthings through Christ. I am strong in the Lord. When you do that, something's happening on theinside. You're getting stronger. Your immune system will work better. You'll have more energy. You'llmake better decisions. We've all been to the post office before and seen the sign on the wallof the ten most wanted. Under their pictures, it says armed and dangerous. Let me tell you,if the enemy had a post office, your picture would be up there. You are not a weakling. You are bad
10:58to the bone. You are a child of the most high God. He has infused can-do power into you.You've got to start seeing yourself as being armed and dangerous.When we get out of bed in the morning, first thing we should do is power up.Get our minds going in the right direction.Remind yourself, I'm ready for this day.I'm equipped.I'm empowered.I've got my armor on.
11:24Got my shoes of peace.Not going to get upset.Not going to let people steal my joy.Not going to fight battles that aren't between me and my destiny.Got my helmet of salvation.I know I'm forgiven.I'm redeemed. I'm approved by Almighty God. I've been handpicked by the creator of the universe.Got my shield of faith. I'm expecting great things. I'm expecting to have an amazing 2012.
11:53Got my sword of the spirit speaking God's word. I know every enemy is under my feet. I've beenarmed with strength for this battle. What are we doing? Powering up. Getting prepared for a blessed,victorious, faith-filled day. I know some of you are up against things that could easily steal your joy.Maybe a challenge in a relationship, child not doing right, unfair situation at work.You could live stressed, uptight, not sleep at night. No, all through the day, especially when you're tempted to worry,you need to remind yourself, this is under my feet. God is in control. It is not going to keep me from my destiny.come back to that place of peace. Psalm 110 says, God will make your enemies your footstool.What do you do with the footstool? You put your feet up on it. It indicates a position of rest.
12:49When we face difficulties, too often we take matters into our own hands. We get all worked up.We think they did me wrong. I'm going to pay them back. I'm going to straighten them out.Or the medical report's not good. And we can't sleep at night.We're so uptight, so stressed out.No, if you want God to make your enemy your footstool,you have to be still and know that He is God.When you're living upset and trying to force things to happen,God is going to step back and let you do it on your own.
13:22It takes faith to say, God, I know you're fighting my battles.I know you'll make my wrongs right.You promise it would work out for my good.So I'm going to keep my joy and stay in peace.When you put your feet up, so to speak, and rest, God will take those things that seem like they're over you, those things that are holding you back, and he'll bring them under your feet.He'll turn them around and make that enemy your footstool.When something's a footstool, you could say, it serves you. It makes life easier. That's the way God is. When you stay in peace, God will take what's meant for harm and he'll use it to your advantage.Let's make it practical. Maybe at work this week or at the job site, somebody is not treating you right.
14:10Playing politics, not giving you the credit you deserve. Don't get upset. Just keep being your best each day.Stay on that high road. Your job is not to straighten people out. Your job is to stay in peace.When you're in peace, God's fighting your battles. When you're at rest, God will make your enemies your footstool.this is what happened with Joseph. He was betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused by Potipers' wife,went to prison for something that he didn't do. Joseph didn't get upset. He didn't try to pay peopleback, didn't hold a grudge, he stayed in peace, stayed on the high road, and God turned it all around.The people that did Joseph wrong ended up working for him. His brothers, the same ones that betrayed him,came back and bowed low before him. Because he stayed in peace, God made his enemies his footstool.
15:06Here's what I've learned. God can vindicate you better than you can vindicate yourself.If you will let God do it his way, it'll be bigger, sweeter, more rewarding, more honoring.God can take the very people that are trying to push you down. The people that are trying to make you look bad,he can use them to promote you. In the scripture, Haman,tried to push down Mordecai, tried to make Mordecai look bad,disrespected him, didn't give him the time of day.But one day, the king told Haman to get a royal robe and put it on Mordecaiand march him up and down through the streets,
15:45announcing to everyone what a great man Mordecai was.Think about it.Of all the people the king could have chosen to do that,it just so happenedhe chose Hamanto honor Mordecai, the veryone that was trying to make him look bad.That's what happens when you let God do it his way.
16:06That boss at the office that's not giving you credit,don't worry about it.You're not working under people, you're working under God.God is keeping all the records.You don't know.Instead of you working for that boss,one day that boss may be working for you.Stay in peace.
16:24God can make your enemies your footstool.Now, to all of our staff members, ignore what you just heard.I have a friend.He worked for this company for many, many years,and he always gave it his best.But for some reason, the owner of the company didn't like him.Even though the young man was bright and talented,he wouldn't take his opinion,
16:46wouldn't really give him the time of day.But this young man, like Joseph, he didn't get bitter.He didn't try to prove to everyone who he was.He just stayed on the high road,kept being his best day after day. Eventually, this boss let him go. He fired him. This young man went out and started his own real estate company and became extremely successful. He never thought much more about his former boss, didn't have any ill will toward him at all. But God is a God of justice. He doesn't forget what you're owed. You may let it go, but God doesn't let it go. He's going to make sure you get exactly what you deserve. Several years,later, his former boss was downsizing the company and needed a new building to move into.It just so happened the building that the boss really wanted was owned by this young man.When he walked in there and saw the young man he fired, knew that he was the owner and had to
17:43negotiate with him, he nearly passed out. Now this boss treated him with the utmost respect.He listened to every word that he said. Long story short, today, that former boss,is paying rent to the young man he wants fire. That's God bringing justice. That's God making yourenemies your footstool. Stay in peace. God's got your back. David said it this way. Psalm 23.God will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. That means God will not onlymake your wrongs right, but God will bless you in front of your enemies. God could promote youanywhere, but he'll give you honor, recognition, favor in front of the people that tried to pull you down.That person that's lying about you, tried to keep you from rising higher, don't worry about it.
18:36One day, they will see you receiving the credit that you deserve. When people are talking about you,maybe somebody's spreading gossip, just imagine the angels just went to the grocery store.God just turned the oven on. He's getting your dinner prepared. It's not going to be,just you, there's going to be some onlookers. Those people that tried to push you down,they're watching you get promoted. They said you don't have what it takes. They're watching youaccomplish your dreams. They wouldn't give you the time of day. Now they're trying to rent afacility from you. Stay in peace. God's got you covered. All these things that come against usto try to get us upset, people talking, gossip, spreading rumors, not giving you respect,
19:20those are all distractions. That's thetrying to lure us off course, get us bent out of shape, waste valuable time and energy on somethingthat doesn't really matter. Don't give that the time of day. That's not a battle you're supposed tofight. Stay on the high road and God will bring it under your feet. He'll make those enemies yourfootstool. When you're tempted to worry, you're tempted to get upset, just imagine yourselfleaning back in a big, comfortable chair, putting your feet up and resting them ontop of that problem. You're saying, God, it's under my feet. I know you're in control. When you're in peace,it's a position of power. When you're at rest, God's fighting your battles. I know a man that was trying
20:09to get his wife to the United States. He's an American citizen, but his wife is not. She lives inEurope. He's been trying to get this visa and the proper paperwork lined up. He went to the governmentoffice and the man working behind the counter was very rude to him. Wouldn't give him any help at all.He made it very confusing, very complicated. Several weeks later, this man had his paperwork filled outand notarized and he went back and the man was just as rude. The other authorities had told him it'd probablytake six months to get this visa. This man said, no, no, it's going to take at least five years.We're all backed up. We're not going to get to your paperwork for a long time.This man was very frustrated. He's even tempted to give him a piece of his mind. But instead,
20:56he just kept his cool, reminded himself that it was under his feet. By faith, he could see Godsetting the dinner table. Several weeks later, he got a call back from this man telling him that hisvisa was ready. He was so shocked. He was amazed. It was a miracle. He went to him and said,I thought you said it would be five years. The man said it should have been. But ever since Iyou, I can't get you off my mind. I wake up thinking about you. I eat lunch thinking about you. I go tobed thinking about you. You're making my life miserable. Take this visa and go. Friends, God knows how toapply pressure. God knows how to make somebody uncomfortable. You don't have to fight the battle.You stay on the high road and watch God make your enemies your footstool. Isaiah put it this way.
21:49no weapon formed against you will prosper.Doesn't say that we won't have difficulties, never have a problem.That's not reality.It says challenges will come.People may talk.You may get a negative medical report.A family member may get off course.God said the problem may form, but you can stay in peace knowing that it's not going to prosper
22:14against you.Because you're his child.because you're in the secret place of the most high,God has a hedge of protection around you that the enemy cannot cross,a hedge of mercy, a hedge of favor.No person, no sickness, no trouble, no disability can stop God's plan for your life.All the forces of darkness cannot keep you from your destiny.When you face these challenges and you're tempted to worry,
22:42you need to remind yourself, this problem may have formed,but I have a promise from Almighty God, it is not going to prosper.In other words, they may be talking about me, trying to make me look bad.I'm not worried about it.I know God's my vindicator.He'll take care of them.My child may be running with the wrong crowd.That's all right.
23:03I know it's not permanent.It's temporary.As for me in my house, we will serve the Lord.This medical report may not look good, but I know God made my body.He's got me in the palm of his hand.nothing can snatch me away. I was reading about these researchers that were studying Alzheimer'sdisease. They took these older people that had died and they studied their brains, both peoplethat had the disease and people that didn't have it. They found that many people had lesions
23:35on their brains that technically qualified them as having Alzheimer's. What was interesting iswhen they were alive, they never showed any signs of it. Their mind.was clear, their reasoning was good, their memory was sharp. In other words, scientifically,they had Alzheimer's, but the symptoms never showed up. The common denominator is they were positive,they were hopeful, and they stayed productive. That's what Isaiah said. Just because the problemforms doesn't mean it has to prosper. We may have things come against us because of genetics,things that have been passed down. The good news is, God hasthe final say. God can override it. So stay in faith. That's what happened with our friend
24:23Romero. He was born with no ears. The doctors told his parents he's never going to be able to hear,never going to be able to speak. The problem had formed. In the natural, it didn't look good.But thank God, we serve a supernatural God. Romero has parents that believe it doesn't have toprosper. They didn't sit around in self-pity thinking poor old us. No, they knew they were armedwith strength for that battle. They knew that situation was under their feet. They prayed. They believed.They declared God's favor. When he was just a few months old, the doctors discovered that he hada very tiny start of an ear drum. These incredibly gifted doctors performed surgery. They created newears and help to correct the problem. One of his main doctors is here today. Dr. Aguilar, he's a member
25:19of Lakewood Church. He's one of the ones that performed that surgery. Romero got better, had moresurgeries, got better and better. Today, Romero can not only hear, not only speak, but he can sing.He helps to lead worship for our young adults. You heard him on American Idol, singing an amazinggrace. My chains are gone in front of millions and millions of people. Friends,whatever you're facing, it is under your feet. It is not permanent. It's temporary. The power that isfor you is greater than any power that comes against you. Keep the right perspective. You and God are amajority. You are armed and dangerous. The problem may have formed, but it is not going to prosper.Now, some of you today need to start putting things under your feet. You're letting that problem worry
26:11you and keep you up at night. God is saying, I'll fight your battles, but you've got to give them tome. Come back to that place of peace. Don't let people, circumstances, get you upset. Somebody may notbe doing your right. Let God be your vindicator. He knows how to make your wrongs right.Remember, when you talk to that sickness, that obstacle, that depression as an act of faith,do like David and look down. It's no match for you. And if you will see these obstacles as being under your feet,God promises he'll make your enemies your footstool.Instead of being a stumbling block, it'll be a stepping stone.I believe and declare like Romero, nothing will keep you from your destiny.
26:53You will overcome every obstacle, defeat every enemy, and become everything God's createdyou to be.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.
27:16I 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 of.What if every plan you set,every habit you formed,
27:35and every decision you madebecame a pathway to see God move in your life?We all have hopes and dreams, things we're believing for.When you start the year in faith, expecting God's goodness, you are setting the tone for a blessed new year.We'd love to send you our 2026 Faith for Today Planner.You can write down your dreams and goals, plus use it for your everyday activities and reminders.It's important to feed your faith on a daily basis.This planner, it's not just a calendar.
28:07It's filled with scriptures and inspiration to help you stay encouraged,and keep believing for what God has put in your heart.2026 is your year to see the goodness of God in greater ways.Let go of what didn't work out and get ready for the new things God has in store.As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount this month,we would like to send you a copy of the 26 Faith for Today Planner.Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement,a guiding scripture to stand on, room to write your goals, prayers, and vision.
28:41space for faith steps because faith isn't passive, it's active.A monthly QR code linking to a message or video to keep your spirit lifted.With a 2026 Faith for Today planner, you'll be reminded that living by faith makes room for God to do what only he can do.Break through in your business, God's healing touch, loved ones returning to faith.Request your copy of the planner and step into the new year with Brees.bold faith, fresh hope, and daily encouragement to strengthen your spirit and face every challengewith confidence. No matter what's happening around you, faith can rise up in you. Keep believingand expecting a blessed 2026. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thank you so much
29:31for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish thisyear. I hope you'll consider making a special year-in gift to help keep the ministry strong.We so appreciate all the Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. We wish you and your familya very Merry Christmas. Till we see you next time. May the Lord bless you and keep you.Be sure to request your copy of the 2026 Faith for Today Planner. Visit Joelosteen.comor call 888-567 Joel for a special year-end gift this month.We are also offering the Faith to Share bundle.Keep one, give one, give the gift of faith, focus, and fresh hope for someone special in your life.
30:18You can also request the God's Word Work study collection.This empowering collection includes the NIV, The Message, Parallel Bible,a beautifully crafted leather bookmark and pen, and how to read your Bible and enjoy it,along with two planners.You can request these inspiring resources.by calling 888-567, Joel,or logging on to joelosteen.com today.Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
30:47Stay organized, encouraged, and full of faith all year long.Request these resources today.
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