Dealing With Negative Thoughts | Joel Osteen
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Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have an awesome 2024, healthy, productive, and favor-filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. 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'd like to start with something funny. One day, Adam was feeling very lonely. God said, Adam, I'm going to make you a companion. It's going to be called a woman. This person will cook for you, wash your clothes. She will bear your children, never ask you to get up in the middle of the night. She will always agree with you. If you do have a disagreement, she'll be the first one to admit she was wrong.

Adam said, wow, God, what will a woman like this cost? God said an arm and a leg. Adam said, what can I get for a rib? And the rest is history. Come on. All the men said, amen. Are you ready?

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 dealing with negative thoughts.

No matter how good of a person you are, how much faith you have, you'll never get to the place where negative thoughts don't come. Discouraging thoughts. Your dream is never going to come to pass. You'll never meet the right person. It would have happened by now. Thoughts of worry. The medical report's not good. Your child is off course. Business is slowing down. What are you going to do?

The enemy's main tools are deception and lies. Your mind is the bullseye of his target. If he can control your thinking, he can control your life. You can't stop negative thoughts from coming, but here's the key. Just because a thought comes doesn't mean you have to think it. You control the doorway to your mind. You're in charge of what you give access to.

That's why the scripture tells us to guard our minds. Be selective in what you allow in. If the thought is negative, discouraging, bringing worry, fear, do yourself a favor. Don't let it in. It's not complicated. Don't dwell on it. Don't give it the time of day.

But too often when these negative thoughts come, we don't think twice. We just allow them access, go around worried, discouraged, intimidated. Start paying attention to what you're dwelling on. When discouraging thoughts come, nothing good is in your future. Why do you even have your hopes up? You're gonna be disappointed again. Before you dwell on that, before you let it take root, ask yourself, where is this thought coming from?

If it's not positive, hopeful, encouraging, it's not from God. That's the enemy doing what he does best, trying to plant negative seeds, fearful seeds, inferior seeds. God said here in Isaiah, if you'll keep your mind stayed on me, I will keep you in perfect peace. What is your mind stayed on? What are you dwelling on throughout the day?

Joel, have you watched the news? Interest rates going up, the recession, the stock market. I'm worried. Those are all valid thoughts. I'm not saying to deny reality. I'm saying be selective in what you dwell on. The right approach is yes, there's a lot of uncertainty. I don't know how it's all going to turn out, but God, I know you're my provider. Just as you take care of the birds of the air, feed and clothe them, you're going to take care of me. Amen.

Instead of keeping your mind stayed on your problems, stayed on the news, stayed on doubt, stayed on worry, keep it stayed on what God promised you. Here's a simple principle. When a negative thought comes, erase it and replace it.

It's not enough to just not think negative because once you dismiss it, once you make that decision, I'm not dwelling on that. I'm not letting that worry in. That's good. The problem is it'll come back in a few seconds. Once you erase the negative, replace it with a positive thought.

Don't leave your mind empty. The thought comes, nothing good's in your future. Dismiss it. Don't give it the time of day. Then take the next step. Father, you promised the path of the righteous. My path is getting brighter and brighter. You said my latter days will be better than my former days. When the thoughts come, this problem's too big. The opposition too strong. You'll never get past it.

You can let that play and live defeated, discouraged, intimidated, or you can replace it with what God says. Father, you said when the enemy comes against me one way, you would defeat them and cause them to flee seven different ways. And yes, this may be too big for me, but I know it's not too big for you. Or how about when these never lies come? Lies that tell you you'll never get well, never meet the right person, never get out of debt.

Don't let that play in your mind. If you do, you're defeating yourself. That's keeping you from seeing God's favor. Erase it. That's the first step. Not dwelling on that anymore. Then take the next step and replace it. Father, thank you that what you started in my life, you will finish. What I'm up against is not permanent. I know this too shall pass. Breakthroughs are coming. Healing is coming. Freedom is coming. Victory is coming.

Get your mind going in the right direction and your life will go in the right direction. You're going to draw in what you're constantly thinking about. If you're thinking can't do it thoughts, I'm not enough. This problem's too big. You're drawing in defeat. That's making you weaker. Your gifts are being pushed down. Your faith is being diminished. Why don't you try erasing and replacing?

How much further will you go? How much happier will you live? How much more of God's favor will you see if you'll guard your mind? If you'll be selective in what you're dwelling on, if you'll keep it stayed on him. Joshua put it this way. If you will meditate on God's word, you will prosper and have good success. Meditate means to think about over and over. Really, worry is meditating.

It's letting the negative play again and again. Some people have this principle down. They're professional worriers. Problem is they're meditating on the wrong things. They're letting the negative continually play. Why don't you switch what you're meditating on? It doesn't take any more energy to believe than it does to worry.

This one small tweak can make a life-changing difference. Instead of going through the day worried about your future, wondering how you're going to make it, a small tweak. Father, thank you that you have me in the palm of your hand. I know you're ordering my steps. You said no good thing will you withhold because I walk uprightly.

Now instead of your thoughts defeating you draining your energy limiting your future You're using your thoughts to encourage you to empower you to build your faith. Joel. I'm worried about my child He's off course running with the wrong crowd. That's why I can't sleep at night. That's why i'm upset and I know that's difficult I know how much you love your children, but worrying is not making it better

Living stressed is not helping him or you. The reason you don't have peace is your mind is stayed on the problem. Your mind is stayed on what's not working out. God said, if you'll make a switch, if you'll keep your mind stayed on me, if you'll think positive, hopeful, faith-filled thoughts, then I'll give you peace in the midst of the problem.

Instead of dwelling on all the negative, what might happen, why don't you use that same energy to meditate on what God promised you? Father, you said my children are mighty in the land. You said the seed of the righteous is blessed. That as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Negative thoughts are going to come. But if you'll learn this principle to erase and replace, you won't give in to the worry, the fear, the discouragement.

You wake up in the morning, thoughts sometimes whisper, it's gonna be a lousy day, have so many problems. I don't feel like dealing with these children. You can either dwell on that, believe that it's true, and you'll go around discouraged. It'll become a reality, you'll have a lousy day. But a better approach is to say, no thanks, I'm not gonna dwell on those discouraging thoughts. They came to my mind, but I know I control the doorway.

I don't have to allow them in. I'm going to erase them and replace them with some better thoughts. This is going to be a great day. Father, thank you that I'm alive. Thank you that you woke me up this morning. Thank you that I'm healthy. Thank you that you have a bright future in store for me. What's playing in your mind? What are you giving access to? Paul said in Philippians, think on things that are positive, things that are wholesome, things that are of a good rapport.

You can't think negative and have a positive life. You can't think sickness and get well. You can't think lack and have abundance. The battle is taking place in our mind. Be selective of what you allow in. Imagine someone showed up at your house, knocked on your front door. You opened it and there was this stranger. He was carrying an ax, a hammer, a rifle, a bag of poison, all these harmful, dangerous things.

You wouldn't say hey, come on in Make yourself at home. Good to see you got some food in the fridge You wouldn't think twice you would tell him you are not welcome here. You need to get off my property You would shut the door deadbolt it make sure that he left. Well, your mind is your house. It's where you live There's nothing more valuable more important more sacred Why are you letting destructive thoughts in?

Why are you letting fear roam around? Why are you letting worry have free reign? Why are you allowing doubt? You can't do it. It's never going to work out to have a seat on your couch. That's your property. You have complete control over what you let in. No, you can't stop it from coming. It may knock on the door, but you don't have to give it access. Next time fear knocks, you'll never get well.

You saw the report. This sickness is the end. Why don't you say no? Thanks. You're not welcome here I will live and not die. God is restoring health back unto me When fear knocks let faith answer next time doubt shows up, man, it's too big It's never going to work out. You don't have the connections. Just say sorry doubt you have the wrong address There's no place for you here

When insecurity comes knocking, you're not good enough. You're not attractive. You don't have a good personality. Nobody wants to be around you. Don't you dare let those thoughts in.

Your attitude should be get off my property. You're not welcome here. I know who I am. I'm a masterpiece. I'm one of a kind. I'm made in the image of God. I'm crowned with favor. I'm wearing a robe of righteousness. I have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Start closing the door to the negative. Close the door to these destructive, limiting, defeating thoughts.

But sometimes we believe them so long. They become a part of who we are. We didn't know any better It's how we were raised we opened the door and now it's like they've taken up residence They have their own room imagine fear worry doubt insecurity living in your house Dragging you down stealing your joy taking your peace. I

That may be the way it's been, but this is going to be a new day. It's time to do some house cleaning. You need to evict some tenants that have been living in your mind. The good news is you're in charge. They may seem bigger, stronger, more powerful, but you determine what stays in your mind.

You need to tell fear, you're evicted. You're not welcome here anymore. I'm not living afraid of what might happen. My future is in God's hands. Nothing can stand against him. You need to tell worry, you've been with me long enough. Sorry, you've lost your lease. Tell doubt, your time is up. Got some new rules, you have to go. Tell insecurity, sorry, no more place for you. You're out of here. See you, I'm not going to be you.

All that negative that's weighing you down Limiting your future. Why don't you serve some eviction notices keep your mind positive? hopeful full of faith expecting good things believing to overcome Trusting god to do what only he can do. Here's what i've learned when your mind is filled with the positive There's no room for the negative when you're full of faith

praise, gratitude, believing for the best. When the negative comes, you don't even answer the door. You don't pay it any attention. Fear knocks, but there's a no vacancy sign. Can't they hear me? No, this mind is full of faith.

complaining knocks, discouragement. Sorry, no vacancy. This mind is full of praise. Father, thank you for what you've done. Thank you for fighting my battles. Thank you for surrounding me with your favor. When worry comes, what about these gas prices? Did you see the news? Inflation, recession. Sorry, no vacancy. Father, thank you that you're Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, my provider. The economy is not my source. God, you're my source.

I know i'm connected to a supply line that will never run dry. This is not just being positive This is releasing your faith. This is what allows god to do awesome things when your mind is stayed on him You're going to have peace in the middle of a pandemic favor in the famine Strengthen the storm going up when you should be going down what's playing in your mind?

Are there some tenants you need to evict? Are there destructive, discouraging thoughts that you need to stop allowing in? That's what my mother had to do.

You know her story. She was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in 1981, given a few weeks to live. She was only 46 years old. She'd been perfectly healthy, always active, working in the yard, pastoring the church with my father, traveling the world. Suddenly she gets this terrible news. She became so frail. She weighed 89 pounds. Her skin was very yellow. The doctor said there was nothing more they could do.

You can imagine the thoughts that came knocking at her door. This is it. Man, you're done. Make plans for your funeral. The middle of the night when she couldn't sleep, the thought came, you can be buried in that new pink dress that you just bought. My mother had good reasons to feel worried, afraid, hopeless, but she understood this principle. When fear knocked, she didn't let it in.

When worry knocked, it's over. Quit believing. She said, you're not welcome here. When doubt knocked, you heard the report. They're the best doctors in the world. There's nothing more they can do. She said, no thanks. There's no room for you in my thinking. She guarded her mind. She was extremely selective of what she allowed in. She knew she was in a fight.

She wasn't about to give her valuable real estate her mind any room for negative discouraging defeating thoughts when you're in a battle when forces are coming against you in a great way That's when you'll be the most tempted to believe the lies Get discouraged. It's never going to work out just accept it more than ever. You need to close the door

Don't give those lies access. You need all your energy to believe, to stay strong, to have faith, to overcome what's trying to stop you. Be diligent. The scripture says, give no place to the enemy. That means don't give him any rooms in your house. Don't give him any place in your thinking. My mother didn't just erase the negative thoughts, but she replaced them with God's word.

The best defense is a good offense. She kept her mind filled with God's promises. All through the day, I would hear her quoting scripture. I will live and not die. God is restoring health back into me. With long life, he will satisfy me.

If you leave your mind empty, it's going to naturally gravitate toward the negative, especially when you're in difficult times. That's when you need to be very disciplined in what you allow in and on purpose, think thoughts of hope, faith, healing, victory.

Friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer and he was a professional football player and he had to stop playing to take the treatment He could have been discouraged giving up on his dreams But his attitude was this illness is not going to defeat me. It's just a bump in the road I will play football again. I will accomplish my god-given dreams. He was so disciplined to guard his mind He wouldn't let anyone use the word cancer in his house

He told his family his friends even his doctors. He didn't want them speaking that word over him He didn't want it down in his spirit even when he was taking chemo the whole time father Thank you that I am healed that this too shall pass that greater is he that's in me than what's trying to stop me Two years later against all odds. He was back in the league playing professional football

Thoughts told him all the reasons it would never happen, but he didn't answer the door. He gave no place to the enemy. Don't let those lies take root. Don't give them access by believing them. Dwell on what God says about you. My mother kept doing this. Didn't happen overnight, but little by little, she got better and better.

Medical science even tells us that when people are positive, hopeful, they believe they'll get well, they're much more likely to recover than those who are negative and discouraged. My mother is 88 years old today, healthy, whole, strong, from a few weeks to live to 42 years later. God has the final say. Why don't you get in agreement with him?

Don't let those lies play in your mind start erasing them and then take the next step Replace them with faith-filled favor-filled victorious thoughts. Here's another key You're moving toward what you're constantly thinking about this can be helpful or it can be harmful What are you thinking about your future?

Joel, I never get any good breaks. Man, this pandemic has set me back. I wish I had more talent. You're moving toward defeat, lack, mediocrity. Try a new approach. Favor is in my future. Good breaks are chasing me down. The right people are headed my way. Father, thank you that the best part of my life is still in front of me. When you think like that, you're moving toward favor, increase, open doors, abundance. What do you think about your health?

I've had this addiction for years. Everyone in my family struggles with depression. I'll never get back in shape. That's moving you in the wrong direction. Change starts in your thinking.

How about this approach? This addiction is not permanent. Chains that have held me back are being broken. I am free. I am whole. I am healthy. I am in shape. I am attractive. I am full of energy, vitality, and strength. My youth is being renewed like the eagles. Get your mind going in the right direction. Your life is going to follow your thoughts. Scripture says in Colossians, set your mind and keep it set.

At the start of the day, you need to set your mind. When you get out of bed, Father, thank you for the gift of this day. It's another day you've made. I'm gonna choose to be happy. I'm gonna see the best. I'm gonna be a blessing to others. I'm gonna live this day to the full. If you don't set your mind, the enemy will set it for you.

You'll wake up, think about all your problems, everything you've done wrong. I'll never break this addiction. I should have eaten better yesterday. I can't believe that coworker was rude to me. Don't start the day off negative. Don't bring yesterday's trouble, yesterday's disappointment, yesterday's failures into today. Start the day afresh and anew. The psalmist said, God's mercies are new every morning.

Not every afternoon, not every evening. Each morning, receive the new mercy. How you start the day many times will determine what kind of day it's going to be. Don't ever start the day in neutral. Don't wait to see what kind of day it's going to be. Determine what kind of day it's going to be. Make up your mind, this is going to be a great day. I'm going to be productive today. I'm going to enjoy my family. I'm going to honor God. I'm grateful to be alive.

That's setting your mind. That's making plans for a blessed day. Goes on to say, keep it set. That implies things are going to happen that will try to unset it. Challenges, delays, people that are rude, doors that close. You can't stop that from happening, but you can choose to not let it get on the inside. When worry comes, no, my mind is set. God is still on the throne. He's in control of my life.

When offense comes, you can get upset, live bitter. No, God is my vindicator. He's fighting my battles. Contract didn't go through. You didn't get the position. You could be down, disappointed, but your mind is set. God, I trust you. I know you wouldn't have closed this door unless you had something better in store.

Don't let the challenges during the day unset your mind. Keep it set. Keep it stayed on him. Keep it full of praise. Keep expecting good things. Keep believing for what God promised you. I talked to a man that was moving to Houston from another city and he got a promotion that he'd been believing for for a long time. It was a dream come true. They had to sell their house before they could buy a house here.

The problem was the real estate market in their city was very depressed. Hardly anything was selling. On his street alone, there were four houses for sale, many more in the neighborhood. Thoughts came telling them all the reasons why their house wouldn't sell. The job wouldn't work out. Market's soft, too much inventory. This isn't the right time.

They were tempted to get discouraged, not think it could happen, but they understood this principle. When doubt knocked, they said, no thanks, you're not welcome here. Thoughts of worry came. What if it doesn't work out? What if you miss this great opportunity? What if you can't move? They said, sorry, worry, you don't belong here. We don't have space for you.

They kept their mind filled with faith. Father, we know you can make a way where we don't see a way. Thank you, Lord, that you're causing our property to stand out, that your favor surrounds us like a shield. Real estate agent told them, on average, it was taking over a year for properties to sell, to not get their hopes up. All the facts said it would be months and months, but two weeks after they put the house on the market, it sold for full price.

They met with the new owners and asked why they chose their house out of all the others. They said, we looked at over 30 properties, but when we walked in yours, something just felt right. We knew it was supposed to be ours. God knows how to bring the right people to you. He knows how to open doors you can't open. He knows how to turn your child around, how to free you from that addiction.

Don't believe those lies that it's not going to happen. It's too late. The odds are against you. Just say, no, thanks. You're not welcome here. I'm going to keep my mind stayed on him. Are your thoughts limiting you or your thoughts empowering you? Are you thinking thoughts of defeat, worry, can't do it? Or are you thinking thoughts of victory, favor, breakthroughs, abundance? There's a battle taking place in your thinking.

I'm asking you to start closing the door to the negative. You control the access. Be selective.

Don't just let anything in. Wrong thinking will keep you from your destiny. Start erasing and replacing. Erase the negative. Don't give it the time of day. Replace it with God's word, with positive, faith-filled thoughts. If you'll do this, I believe and declare because your mind is stayed on him, you're going to have more peace, more joy, more favor. Forces that have held you back are being broken right now.

You're about to rise higher Accomplish dreams and go further than you've imagined. I declare it in the name of Jesus And if you receive it, can you say amen? 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. I

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. I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place. God has put a specific dream in your heart. Maybe it's a dream for a better career, a blessing that enables you to bless others, to be in a healthy, loving relationship, to launch your own business or ministry endeavor.

We all have dreams, but sometimes setbacks and opposition can rob us of our dreams. So how do you make your dreams a reality?

One way you know it's a God-given dream is you can't accomplish it on your own. We never thought we'd be having church in a former basketball arena, but this is what can happen when you take the limits off of God. When you believe what God put in your heart, that's when He steps in and makes ways where you never saw ways. I'd love to send you my newest book, It's Time to Dream Again. It'll help you to hold on to what God promised and not get discouraged by how impossible it looks or how long it's taking.

You are closer than you think. God's working behind the scenes right now. Stay in faith. You're going to see the greatness of God bring your dreams to pass.

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 dream-releasing, life-affirming book, It's Time to Dream Again. You might sense that your dreams have been buried, but with this book, you'll see that they are actually a hidden treasure just waiting to be uncovered and come to life.

God's plan for you is significant. His dreams for you are beyond what you could imagine. Don't wait another day. It's time to dream again. This book will help you gain a fresh perspective for your dreams and to believe for everything God has put in your heart. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is making a difference around the world.

Remember, you can watch the services live online every Sunday. Download the daily podcast or our YouTube channel. Listen on Sirius XM. We will keep you encouraged and inspired. But until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of It's Time to Dream Again today. Visit joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. If your small business is booming, you might say, cha-choo!

But you should say, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. And we'll help your growing business. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Walmart Plus members save on meeting up with friends. Save on having them over for dinner with free delivery with no hidden fees or markups. That's groceries plus napkins plus that vegetable chopper to make things a bit easier. Plus, members save on gas to go meet them in their neck of the woods. Plus, when you're ready for the ultimate sign of friendship,

Start a show together with your included Paramount Plus subscription. Walmart Plus members save on this plus so much more. Start a 30-day free trial at WalmartPlus.com. Paramount Plus is central plan only. Separate registration required. See Walmart Plus terms and conditions.