Joel Osteen Podcast - Promotion In The Problem | Joel Osteen

Episode Date: August 19, 2024

Every difficulty is a setup for God to do something new in your life. He may not have sent the trouble, but He knows how to use it your advantage.  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 visitJoelOsteen.com/GiveHope.Dispel worry and gain newfound hope! This August, we are offeringPower Up: A 21-Day Action Plan to Transformative Thinking.Receive the truth about what God says about you and transform your thoughts from Day 1. Take a step up toward powerful living today, https://bit.ly/46jp0ZX! 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.

Always a joy to have you with us. We're praying for you guys. Check out my new book. It's called Power Up, a 21-day action plan to transformative thinking. I think it'll help you think great thoughts and just live a victorious life. But you can check it out on the web. It's so great having you with us. Enjoy the podcast.

God bless you. It's great to be with you today. I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired. I like to start with something funny. And I heard about this little girl. She asked her mother how the human race got started.

Her mother explained how God created Adam and Eve. They had children on and on. Here we are today. A few days later, she asked her father the same question. He explained how many years ago there were monkeys. Little by little, they became more like people. Here we are. Confused, she went back to her mother.

She said, Mom, you said God created people. Dad said we came from monkeys. How can that be? The mother said, oh, honey, that's easy. I told you about my side of the family. Dad told you about his. 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 promotion in the problem. None of us like problems, things that come against us, people that are not fair, trouble at work. It's easy to get discouraged and lose our passion. Why is this happening? But God won't allow a difficulty unless he has a purpose for it. He may not have sent the trouble, but he knows how to use it to your advantage.

On the other side of every problem is promoting. The difficulty feels like a setback, but really it's a set up for God to do something new in your life. When God wanted to promote David, bring him out of the shepherd's fields, what did he do? Send him a good break, a friend to help him out, open a new door. No, God sent him a problem. Goliath was standing before David, a giant twice his size. David could have thought, God, you said I was going to do great things. You said you'd show me favor. Why am I facing this giant? No, David understood with that problem came promotion. On the other side of that difficulty was a new level of his destiny. You have to go through it to get to it.

Some promotion only comes through adversity, through closed doors, through things that are not fair. David went out and defeated Goliath and instantly his life changed. New doors opened. He had respect, influence, favor, that he'd never seen. What took David to the throne? A problem. Don't complain about the problem. You can't reach your potential without problems. When you understand that the problem doesn't come by itself, that there is promotion in every problem, then you'll keep a good attitude. God, I don't like this problem. I'm uncomfortable, but I know you're in control. You're ordering my steps. Now, I'm not just going to

come out, I'm going to come out stronger, promoted, better than I was before. Sometimes the promotion is you developed a greater trust in God. You learned that you can make it through things that you thought would take you under. You saw the faithfulness of God. You felt him sustaining you, strengthening you, making ways where you didn't see a way. Your faith grew. Your spiritual muscles got stronger. Your character was developed.

every time you come through a challenge that's fuel for your faith. God is preparing you for greater things. The next time you face a problem like that, you'll think, this is no big deal. I've seen God take me through this in the past, and I know he'll take me through it this time. See, I've learned the bigger the problem, the bigger your destiny. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the promotion. God doesn't send big problems to people with small future. God didn't give David a normal-sized problem.

He didn't face someone his height, with his training, his experience. Goliath stood nine feet tall. He was the champion of the Philistine Army. The tip of his spear weighed 15 pounds. The scripture says he wore gold leggings. He was ahead of his time. That's where my brother Paul got that idea.

Well, Joel, I've got big problems. This sickness looks permanent. minute. My child is way off course. These people at work are holding me down. The size of your problem is an indication of the size of your future. The enemy wouldn't be fighting you so hard if he didn't know something amazing was in front of you. Don't be discouraged because you have big challenges. Have a new perspective. That means God has something big in your future. Big breakthroughs, big opportunities, big victories. If you could see the promotion, on the other side of those problems.

If you could see the healing, the favor, the fulfillment, you wouldn't be discouraged. You would go through that difficulty in faith, praising when you could be complaining, thanking God that he's fighting your battles, knowing that it's all a setup for new levels of your destiny.

Are you stressed over a problem, losing sleep over a difficulty, when in fact God allowed it so he can show his favor in a greater way? without Goliath, David would have never taken the throne. The problem served the purpose. God knows what he's doing. He hasn't allowed anything in your life that he's not going to use for your good.

It may not be good. It may not be fair. I'm not saying we're going to like it. I'm saying to trust him. That there is a blessing disguised in that difficulty. That there is promotion attached to that problem. I know at the time we can't see it. All we know it's a bad break, it's a disappointment.

They treated me wrong. The door closed. The medical report wasn't good. God is not through working. You don't know what he's up to right now. You keep doing the right thing, having an attitude of faith, and your time is coming.

You're going to see the faithfulness of God. You're going to look back and say, wow, God, if I had not had that problem, I wouldn't be where I am. If that door had not closed, if those people had not done me wrong, I wouldn't have seen the blessing and the favor that you've shown me. A few years after I started ministering, the church began to grow and we needed a larger auditorium. My father said he would never move the church. We looked for property around the original location.

We found a hundred acre tract of land right off the freeway, about two miles away. It seemed perfect. It was a big sign that said for sale. We talked to the owner and told him we wanted to purchase it. He said that it had been on the market for 20 years and he had never had one offer. I thought, wow, God, you saved this property just for us. We were so excited. He told us we could do our soil samples and preliminary drawings while we got the contract drawn up.

A couple of months later, we went to sign the contract. We had an 8 o'clock appointment. we arrived at 745. His secretary came out and said, sorry, the owner sold the property last night. I couldn't believe it. Didn't keep his word.

I was so discouraged. I went home and told Victoria. She said, listen to here, Joel, that means God has something better. We're going to trust him. He hadn't brought us this far to leave us. She started preaching one of my messages. I didn't want to hear that.

I wanted her to be depressed with me. misery loves company. But it's good to have friends that pull you up and not join you in defeat. A few months later, we found another large tract of land. This seemed even better. Had more access to it. When the owners found out, they told the people that owned the property on one side, they called and said they wanted to donate 10 acres to us.

Now I knew it was God. People were giving us property. We went to close on the 100 acres. and the same thing happened. They sold it the day before. I thought, God, this is a big problem. There are no more large tracks of land. We're stuck.

We have no room to grow. I didn't see any options. But just because we run out of options doesn't mean God has run out of options. He won't let you get in a problem that he can't bring you out of. The reason it's not working out your way is because God has something better.

Six months later, a friend called, hadn't spoken to him in a long time. He said, Joel, the Houston Rockets basketball team is moving out of the compact center. You should try to get that for your church. When I heard that, something came alive on the inside. I called the mayor. He was a friend of my parents, and I was so nervous. I told him what I wanted, didn't know how he would respond. He said, Joel, I think Lakewood having the compact center would be great.

for our city. I nearly passed out. Things fell into place. Three years later, we had the building. Never dreamed we could be here. This was far beyond what I had in mind. Sometimes God closes doors because you're thinking too small. He doesn't let your plans work out because he has much bigger plans. You were hoping to get that new position, move up one notch. God is about to catapult you ahead. You're believing to feel. a little bit better, God's going to heal you completely. You're hoping your child will just stay out of trouble. God's going to use him to do great things to leave his mark. Now don't be discouraged because you're still in the problem. Things aren't improving. Doors are closing. People aren't

changing. Those lies will start whispering. It's never going to get better. You'll never get well. Never break this addiction. Never accomplish that dream. No, that problem didn't show of alone. That problem came with a purpose, with a promotion, with a blessing. You keep honoring God, and you're going to come out of the problem into the promotion.

Out of the sickness into health. Out of trouble into peace. Out of struggle into freedom. Out of lack into abundance. The enemy sent it to harm you, but God has already turned it to your advantage. Now, don't get tired of doing the right thing. Don't

let doubt what's not happening, what's not fair, talk you out of the promotion. Keep believing, keep praying, keep expecting. You're on the verge of seeing God show out in your life. That problem is not permanent. The problem is a sign that promotion is coming. You're about to see breakthroughs, restoration, dreams coming to past, divine connections. God said in Psalm 50, trust me. in times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

He didn't say, trust me, and I'll keep you from trouble. Trust me, and you won't have any difficulties. He said, trust me when you're in trouble. Trust me when things don't make sense. Trust me when the medical report is not good. Trust me when a loved one doesn't make it. If you'll trust him, God says, I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. God is not going to leave you in trouble, leave you in heartache, leave you in dysfunction.

That is not how your story ends. Don't believe the lies that say it's permanent. God sees what you're going through and he's about to rescue you. He's about to turn things around. Chains that have held you back are being broken. Difficulties that look like they'll never improve. You're about to see a suddenly, a breakthrough, a heed. A heat. a promotion. It's going to be unusual, uncommon. You couldn't make it happen. You will know it's the hand of God. When my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1981, she was in a time of great trouble. She had a big problem, but in that trouble, she chose to trust God. She believed that he could restore health back into her. Instead of being depressed, worrying all day, she would go through

the house quoting scriptures. Father, thank you that the number of my days you will fulfill, that I will live and not die and declare the works of the Lord. Against all odds, with no medical treatment available, God rescued her from that trouble. He made a way where we didn't see a way. For the last 40 years, she's been giving God glory. That big problem came with a big promotion. her story of healing has helped people around the world. She's 88 years old now, still praying for people every week. The enemy would have been smarter to leave her alone, but God will make the enemy pay.

What was meant for your harm, he'll turn it to your advantage. Says he will rescue you and you will give him great glory. The reason you'll give him glory is because when he brings you out, it will be better than you've ever ever. imagine. I wanted to buy property to build a new auditorium. God gave us an auditorium that was already built on the busiest freeway in our city. You may be facing a problem today. My encouragement is that problem didn't come alone. There is promotion attached to it. God has the final say, trust him, not to just make it through, not just survive, but have a new perspective. Father, I know

this problem means I'm about to see a new level of my destiny. Lord, I believe I trust you in this time of trouble. See, I would have never seen the compact center without those doors closing. You could say the compact center was attached to a problem. My mother would have never impacted so many people without that challenge in her hell. David would have never become king without Goliath. Who knows where that problem is leading you? you. You've had some closed doors. Things haven't worked out. Who knows what doors God is about to open. You have some giants facing a sickness, set back in your business, a person walked out of your life. Who knows what kind of favor, blessings, fulfillment is headed your way. The setback is a set up for God to show out in your life.

Now trust him into trouble. Not when you get out. The test is when you're in it. nothing looks like it's going to change. That's when you have to dig down deep, say, God, I don't like it. But I know this problem is not here by itself, that there is promotion on the other side. So, Lord, help me to believe. Help me to stay in faith. See, we all face things that we don't understand, things that don't seem fair. But I've learned God will not mismanage your life.

He will not allow hardships and bad breaks that don't have any perfect. purpose. He's not just sitting back thinking, oh man, can't believe that happened to you. Too bad. He's ordering your steps. Nothing happens without his permission. He's promised that all things will work together for your good. Sure, there are things we don't understand, things that don't make sense. I can't explain it, but I can tell you if you'll stay in faith, not get bitter, just keep doing the right thing. over time, you'll see it all come together. The scripture puts it this way. Since the Lord is directing our steps,

why do we try to figure out everything that happens along the way? There will be plenty of things that happen that don't make sense. If you try to figure it out, you'll get confused, discouraged. Put it in God's hands. God, this problem doesn't make sense to me, but I believe that you have a purpose for it. then when it all comes together, I will give you great glory. This is what three Hebrew teenagers did in the scripture.

They wouldn't bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol. He made a decree that no one could worship any God except his God. He didn't believe in Jehovah. He was so upset, he threatened to have them thrown into a fiery furnace. They were doing the right thing, honoring God, not compromising. And look what happens. a big problem. Sometimes you have trouble, not because you're doing something wrong, but because you're doing something right. When you honor God, it stirs up the enemy. It will stir up jealousy,

resentment, anger, critical spirits in people that don't honor God. It's not so much they don't like you. They don't like the blessing and favor that's on your life. The good news is they cannot stop what God has ordained. God being for you is more powerful than any force that is against you. He has you in the palm of his hand. Nothing can snatch you away. You may get thrown into a furnace, but God can make you fireproof. He controls the universe. These teenagers weren't worried. They weren't panicking. They said to the king, we know our God will deliver us. But even if he doesn't, still not going to bow down. When you have a made-up mind like that, God, I'm believing that you're going to keep me from this trouble, that this door will open, that these people will treat me right,

but even if it doesn't go my way, I'm still not going to get discouraged. I'm still not going to complain. I'm still going to give you praise. That kind of attitude cannot be defeated. The king was so furious, he had the guards heat up the furnace seven times hotter than normal. They already had a big problem. Already didn't look good. Now the fire was hotter than ever. Sometimes God will let the odds be against you in a greater way on purpose. So when he turns things around, it's a bigger miracle. So everyone will see his favor on your life. The guards tied up the teenagers, bound their hands and feet, and threw them into the furnace. They fell to the ground. It was so hot that the guards were instantly killed.

King Nebuchadnezzar was watching from a distance. He noticed the three Hebrew teenagers stood up. He couldn't believe it. He said to his staff, didn't we throw three men inbound? I see four men loose and one looks like the son of God. He ran over to the furnace window and shouted Shadrach, Meshach, Abindigo, servants of the Most High God. A few minutes early,

he didn't believe in the most high God. Sometimes your problems is so God can change other people's mind. God can see the big picture and he'll use you to demonstrate his power, his favor, his blessing so others will believe. They walked out of the fire and everyone gathered around. Verse 21 says, they noticed not a hair on their head was singed. None of their clothing was burned. They didn't even smell like smoke.

God knows how to bring you out of difficulties to where you don't look like what you've been through. Nobody would ever know you've been through the trouble, through the sickness, through the breakup, through the pandemic. You're so blessed, happy, healthy, fulfilled, generous. Nobody can tell you were ever in the fire. You don't even have the smell of smoke. Nebuchadnezzar said in verse 28, praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abindigo. Now he's worshipping the God he didn't believe in a few hours before. This could be the end of the story. God protected these teenagers.

God changed the mind of the king. That's all a great miracle. But verse 30 says, then the king promoted Shadrach, Mijcac, and Abedigo to much higher positions in Babylon. Hidden in that problem was promotion. They couldn't see it at the time. God, this king's coming against us. God, these people at work are not fair. Dealing with this sickness. I had a setback in my finances. We would be grateful if God just brought us out.

But what I want us to see is there is promotion attached to the problem. God is not going to just bring you out, but that difficulty is setting you up for new levels. Even with this pandemic, in a sense, we're all in a problem. There's uncertainty. work is disrupted, people fighting illnesses, things have slowed down. God is not going to just bring you out, but there is promotion in the pandemic. God wouldn't let the whole world be impacted just to get us back where we were.

Greater things are coming. New doors are going to open. Family members that are off course are going to turn around. Areas you've struggled in year after year, there's going to be supernatural breakthrough. change are being loose. Like these teenagers, the big problem means God has big favor coming, big blessings, big influence.

Now keep doing the right thing. Don't bow down to compromise. Don't give in to doubt, fear. It's never going to happen. No, God's going to do something that not only amazes you, but other people are going to see the goodness of God on your life.

Like Nebuchadnezzar, they're going to acknowledge that you serve the most. High God. How did it happen? Through a problem. Don't complain about the problem. The problem has a purpose and the problem has promotion. Psalm 66 says, we went through the fire and through the flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance. See, you have to go through the fire, through the flood to get to the abundance. On the other side of the fire, you'll see promotion. On the other side of that closed door, you'll see your compact center. On the other side of that sickness,

you'll see greater favor, greater anointing, greater ministry, like my mom. Don't get stuck in the fire. Why did this happen? I don't understand it, Joel. I was doing the right thing. No, the right attitude is, I may be in this fire, but I know it's only temporary.

It looks like a setback, but I know it's a set up. Abundance is coming. Healing is coming. Favor is coming. This is what happened with the Israelites. They were at a dead end at the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his army was chasing them. They had nowhere to go.

They were praying God, deliver us. Do something. Don't let us be recaptured. The scripture says a strong east wind begin to blow. That was a nice way of saying a storm was coming. They were already in a problem, about to be recaptured. What did God do? Send them another problem.

dark clouds started rolling in, thunder started roaring, debris was hurling through the air. I'm sure they thought, man, just our luck. We're already in this problem. Now bad weather. Now this storm is going to kill us. What they didn't realize is that east wind, that storm they thought would stop them, was sent by God to blow back the Red Sea, to force those waters to open up so they could go through on dry ground. The storm was a part of the miracle. The storm was what not only going to bring them out, but the storm was going to defeat their enemies. God has a purpose for their problem. They couldn't see it at the time. Maybe the east wind is blowing in your life. You're asking God to help you. Seems like the problem is getting worse. You don't see how it can work out. You're tempted

to live discouraged, overwhelmed. You don't know. what God is up to. His ways are not our ways. What you think is another storm, another problem can be what God uses to make a way, to open a path, to do something that you've never seen. We don't like the storms. The thunder is loud. Things are blowing around, but God is in control of the winds. He's in control of your circumstances. God sent these strong east winds, not to harm them, but to blow back the waters. What looks like it's going to defeat you, God is going to use to move you forward. Like these people, you're going to look back and say, wow, that east wind wasn't what I thought. That storm looked like it's going to stop me, but God used it to promote me. God is going to do

something that you're not expecting. You didn't see it coming. Suddenly your health turns around. Suddenly that door opens. Suddenly the right person shows up. You've been through the fire through the flood. Now get ready for abundance. Enemies that have been chasing you are being defeated. Depression, addictions, trouble at work, health issues, that storm is coming to an end. You're going to see the hand of God doing unusual, uncommon things. Because you trust him in the trouble, I believe and declare he's about to rescue you. You're going to have favor in the fire, promotion in the pandemic, strength in the storm.

When you see what God does, you will give him great glory. In Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen today? I'd like to give 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. If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love to send you some free information on your new walk with the Lord. You can text the number or go to the website. But I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place. Our negative thinking can short-circuit God's power and blessing in our lives.

When you say, I always seem to worry. I can't forgive what was done to me. I pray, but it feels like God doesn't hear. I won't have enough to provide for me and my family. How do you overcome this type of negative thinking that limits you from God's best? Our thinking sets the limits for our life. Every morning you have to power up your mind, get it going in the right direction, by dwelling on what God says about you.

When you think thoughts of faith, hope, and victory, you'll tap into blessing and favor that belongs to you. I'd love to send you my newest book. It's called Power Up. I'll show you how to delete negative thoughts and focus on the promises rather than the problems. You can discover God's unprecedented power in your life. As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount to the ministry this month, Joel and Victoria would like to send you this life-altering resource.

Power up, a 21-day action plan to transformative thinking. God wants to power up every area of your life. Your relationships, career, finances, health, He wants to bless it all, but sometimes negative thinking can short-circuit the truth. This resource reconnects those power lines, providing the free flow of God's eternal promises. Remember, wherever you're at, whatever you're facing, you can make the choice to power up and access God's promises. When your mind is going in the right direction, your life will go in the right direction.

Start powering up each day and watch what God will do. Victoria and I want you to know that we pray for you and your family. We appreciate your prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting so many lives. Remember, you can watch the services live online every Sunday morning. Download our daily podcast, watch our YouTube channel, listen on Sirius XM. But until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of Power Up, a 21-day action plan to transform

of thinking. Today, visit joel Osteen.com or call us toll-free.