Joel Osteen Podcast - Let Go Of The Small Things | Victoria Osteen

Episode Date: April 5, 2025

Don't let what you're missing keep you from celebrating the gifts in your life. Take a step back and appreciate the many blessings that surround us!Your best days are still ahead, and together we can make a difference in this world with the message of God's hope and love. To give visit JoelOsteen.com/GiveHope.Encounter the Savior who offers His provision and power in every moment. He Is I AM, the God who is with you always. Request our March offer and discover anew the presence and abundance of I Am—God is your answer right now, https://bit.ly/43F8PqH. 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. How many of you guys know that sometimes the smallest thing can just irritate you? Things that really don't matter in the long run. I was with a girlfriend of mine several years ago and, uh, She was showing me her vacation photos.

I hate to date this, but it's when we used to go get them at Walgreens. She said, I just picked up my vacation photos. Let's look at them. So I said, okay, and so we began to look at this beautiful pictures of blue skies, sandy beaches, all these cute little shops at the port, just so much fun. And we're looking, and I noticed she was getting a little more irritated, and she was going through the pictures more quickly. And I was like, okay, okay, you know,

I was going to kind of really check them out and talk about it. Then all of a sudden I noticed she began to say, I look terrible in that picture. I don't like that picture. I'm not wearing that outfit again. It doesn't photograph well. And she began to pick herself apart in these pictures. See, it went from enjoying her vacation

to looking at something, about herself that I couldn't even see. You see, sometimes we forget the big picture. We forget to look at the blue skies, the sandy beaches, the smiling faces, our children, because we see that speck on the picture. And that's all we focus on. You see, her memory all of a sudden became negative. Think about Adam and Eve.

They were in a beautiful garden, lush, green garden. They had fruit everywhere. They could eat all they want, never gained any weight, no laundry. They were in this amazing God-given garden. And one day, Eve got her eye on a single bush, a single bush in the garden. The only bush she was asked not to touch. And that day, that bush became the biggest thing that she saw. In fact, that bush was so big, it distorted the whole view of the garden.

You see, that bush was the speck on the picture. She didn't see the whole picture because all she could see is what she didn't have. Listen, let's don't see the specks in our life. Let's begin to see the whole picture. what we do have. Let's don't let a bush distort this amazing life God has given us the relationships that we have. Because in the long run, it really doesn't matter. I think we could all say if we step back that we've seen some specs that mess some things up for us. We've focused on some things that we didn't have and we forgot to see all the great things that we do have. Listen, I don't want to live in

regret to you. I want to enjoy what God has given me right now. The beauty of the moment. I think about my friend. And today, I bet if she pulls those same pictures out, she's going to go, I look pretty good in those pictures. You know, sometimes when the years go by, you don't look as bad as she thought you did. When my kids were very young, we were at the old building, and it was an Easter Sunday. And everyone was dressed up. You know, all the family was there, the cousins, the aunts, the uncles, you know, the grandmothers. Everyone was there and looking so good. You know, we were all there together.

And I remember thinking, I want to get an Easter picture. Everybody's so cute, all the little outfits the kids had on. And about the time we could round everybody up to get this Easter picture, we're placing everybody. I look, and there's my two little kids. they had changed out of their Easter clothes and put on their play clothes. They're standing there with some shorts and a raggedy-o t-shirt and some tennis shoes. And I'm like looking at them and it was enough just getting everyone rounded up. There wasn't time for me to go, change them and bring them back.

And I remember thinking, I am so frustrated. You see, because I wanted this picture to be perfect. It had to be my way. It was my picture. Let me tell you what, that picture is one of my most treasured possessions today. One of my most treasured possessions. But at the time, all I saw were those khaki shorts and tennis shoes and green T-shirt that I did not want in my picture.

See, we need to step back. We need to remember what life is about. It's about God's goodness. It's about our family. It's about the big picture. So often we want it to be perfect. We want it to go our way. And when it slightly takes a curve, it messes everything out.

That's not the case. It really doesn't mess everything up. And we've got to remember. You see, my little kids, they had no idea. They had no idea. They're just kids. You see, I would rather have a good relationship with my kids than to be all upset with them.

Let me tell you what, they're in college now. I would give anything to just have a picture with them today. You know, I don't care what they're wearing. I really don't. Have you ever wanted things so perfect and it didn't go your way? I know a lot of mothers can relate to this. We want our kids' birthday parties to be spectacular. We want Spider-Man there on time.

We want the princess coming with the right clothes on. we want everything perfect. We get so uptight planning and anticipating. We forget who we're celebrating. We don't even relax and realize this is my child's birthday. I'm going to enjoy this birthday party and celebrate them. Listen, everything doesn't have to be perfect before you enjoy your life. Let's don't look at the spec.

Let's step back and see the big picture. This holiday season, we're all busy. There's a lot going on. Let's make memories that will last and that we can enjoy for a lifetime, okay? All right, that's so good. Praise you, Jesus. We are going to see the big picture. When we face challenges, it's easy to feel like God has forgotten about us.

We don't see anything happening. Thoughts tell us it's not going to work out. But God is not called the great I was. or the great I will be, he's called the great I am. In my new book, He is I Am, you'll discover that God is with you in every area of your life. I Am is always in the present. Not at a later time. God is working in your life right now.

I Am means I am your healer, I am your provider, I am your waymaker. Whether you're facing a challenge or pursuing your dreams, stay in faith. The Great I Am is right there with you. 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. He is, I am. God is for you, here and now. Are you in need of protection or provision today? Jesus assures us, I am the good shepherd. Does the path ahead seem uncertain or dark? Jesus declares, I am the light of the world. Do you feel like your career, calling, or marriage is beyond hope? Jesus promises, I am the resurrection and the life.

With every I am statement, you'll discover more about who God is and what He has made available for you, not someday, but today. Request your copy today and watch God's promise come alive. No matter what you face, He is here and now for you. Be sure to request your copy of He Is I Am. God is for you here and now today. visit joelosteen.com or call 888-567 joel. You're never alone. The great I am is behind the scenes, making ways, opening doors,

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