Overview of How To Handle Troublemakers | Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen’s sermon ("How To Handle Troublemakers") teaches practical, faith-based principles for dealing with people who provoke, criticize, or try to steal your joy. Using biblical examples (Isaac, David, Saul, Sheba) and personal anecdotes, Osteen emphasizes guarding your heart, choosing when to confront and when to walk away, and trusting God to vindicate you—rather than letting others control your emotions or destiny.
Key points and main takeaways
- People will provoke you; some are “troublemakers” by temperament or insecurity. Expect it.
- Don’t let others set your emotional thermostat—guard your heart and keep your “walls up.”
- Changing someone’s mind or winning their approval is not your job; your responsibility is your own peace and purpose.
- Know when to fight (face a Goliath) and when to duck or walk away (avoid a Saul). Not every battle is yours.
- Leaving offenses in God’s hands (God as vindicator) frees you from retaliation, bitterness, and distraction.
- Meekness is strength under control—don’t waste energy proving yourself to critics.
- Persist in doing what’s right; God often brings sudden vindication or promotion after prolonged faithfulness.
Biblical and illustrative examples used
- Genesis 26: Isaac re-dug Abraham’s wells and enjoyed blessing, yet Esau’s wives “made life miserable” — a warning that blessings don’t remove all troublemakers.
- David:
- Goliath — a fight to confront and defeat (appropriate confrontation).
- Saul — a persistent enemy David mostly avoided confronting; he “ducked” and passed tests of character.
- Sheba — a troublemaker who stirred rebellion; resolved without David personally fighting.
- Absalom and Michal (his family) — family can also wound; still, David kept perspective.
- 1 Peter 2: Christ’s example—He did not retaliate when insulted.
- Paul (Galatians 6): “From henceforth I will let no man trouble me” — the “henceforth” decision to stop letting others control you.
Notable metaphors, quotes and insights
- “Get your thermostat back” — don’t hand over control of your joy to someone else.
- “Keep your walls up” / “don’t let offense get on the inside” — guard your inner life against bitterness.
- “Meekness is strength under control” — true power is exercised with restraint.
- “You don’t have to change people, you have to change” — shift your response rather than expecting others to change.
- God will vindicate you better than you can—leave the case to Him.
Practical applications & action steps
- Make a “henceforth” decision: intentionally resolve not to let people trouble you anymore.
- Set personal boundaries: decide which battles you will engage and which you will ignore or walk away from.
- Practice emotional control: stop reacting, breathe, and maintain composure (meekness).
- Guard your heart: refuse to rehearse insults or nurse bitterness—replace them with gratitude and purpose.
- Leave offenses to God: pray about injustices instead of retaliating; trust in divine vindication.
- Continue faithful work: keep doing your part well—promotion often follows prolonged faithfulness, not quick vindication.
- If faith-based, engage Scripture examples and prayer to reinforce perspective.
Practical scenarios described
- Coworker or supervisor who undermines you: don’t expend energy proving yourself; continue to serve faithfully.
- Family members who criticize or don’t understand you: be merciful and keep your heart from bitterness.
- Random encounters (e.g., angry driver): don’t take on another person’s internal turmoil—overlook and move on.
Resources & closing offers (from the message)
- Joel Osteen offers a 365-day 2026 devotional calendar and other guided-journal resources to help sustain faith and daily focus.
- Invitation to make a faith commitment (short salvation prayer).
- Contact/resources: joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL for materials and support. (Also available via SiriusXM and Joel Osteen Network.)
Bottom line
Troublemakers will appear throughout your journey. Your growth depends less on changing them and more on mastering your response—guarding your heart, choosing battles wisely, keeping the high road, and trusting God to vindicate and promote you in His timing.