Overview of Trusting God's Ways | Joel Osteen
This is a sermon-style episode by Joel Osteen (SiriusXM) on trusting God when life doesn't make sense. Using biblical stories (feeding of the 5,000, the disciples in the storm, Acts’ early persecution) plus personal testimony and modern examples, Osteen argues that detours, delays, closed doors and storms are often divine setups that move us from a place of blessing to a place of abundance. The message combines encouragement, practical spiritual guidance, and a call to faith with resources offered for healing and spiritual growth.
Main themes and structure
- The central claim: God’s ways are higher than ours — when life feels like a setback, it may be a setup for something greater.
- Key biblical anchors:
- Mark 6 — the feeding of the 5,000, disciples forced into the boat, the storm, Jesus walking on water, arrival at Gennesaret (place of abundance).
- Acts 8 — persecution forced believers out of Jerusalem, which enabled the gospel to spread.
- Psalm imagery — beauty for ashes / passage through fire and flood to abundance.
- Modern examples:
- Coach Tony Dungy: fired, later became Super Bowl-winning coach — lost opportunity led to greater blessing.
- Joel Osteen’s own life: father’s death forced him into visible ministry and greater influence.
- Offerings: devotional "God Still Loves to Heal" and the Healing & Wholeness Collection (available at joelostein.com or by calling 888-567-JOEL).
Key points and takeaways
- Don’t expect life to be a straight line: God often allows detours, closed doors, and storms to reposition you.
- Trouble as transportation: what feels like a setback can be what propels you into your next season and destiny.
- Trust through confusion: faith is trusting God even when you don’t understand why something happened.
- Peace is powerful: staying calm and trusting in God during storms strengthens you to endure and receive what’s next.
- Closed doors can be protection and preparation: God is the “doorkeeper” — a closed door can lead to a better open door.
- The enemy will try to speak defeat; reject those lies and remember storms can redirect to abundance (Bethsaida vs. Gennesaret metaphor).
- Spiritual growth often requires being “forced out” of a comfortable nest so dormant gifts and callings can emerge.
Practical applications / action steps
- Change your inner response: instead of bitterness or complaint, say, “I don’t like this, but I trust You.”
- Stay in peace: practice stillness and faith during trials rather than panic.
- Reframe setbacks: look for how a closed door or hardship could be positioning you for a bigger blessing.
- Expect favor: pray and declare that the winds are shifting toward abundance, healing, and new opportunities.
- If seeking spiritual support: request the devotional "God Still Loves to Heal" or the Healing & Wholeness Collection at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL.
- For new believers: the sermon includes a simple salvation prayer and an offer to send follow-up materials if someone prays to receive Christ.
Notable quotes & memorable lines
- “The trouble is not there to stop you. It’s there to propel you.”
- “God wouldn’t have allowed the storm if you weren’t going to make it through.”
- “Don’t fight the closed doors, the delays, the detours. The storm feels like it’s taking you to Bethsaida … but God is blowing you to Gennesaret.”
- “If you don’t thank God for your closed doors, you’ll be frustrated when plans don’t work out.”
Tone and audience
- Encouraging, pastoral, and motivational — targeted to Christians (and seekers) seeking comfort, perspective and faith-based encouragement during trials.
- Includes evangelistic elements (invitation to pray to receive Jesus) and ministry fundraising/resource offers.
Resources mentioned
- Devotional: God Still Loves to Heal — 70 Days to Receive, Reflect, and Rest in the Finished Work of God.
- Healing and Wholeness Collection: includes guided journals and related resources.
- How to request: joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL.
- Offers prayer support from Joel and Victoria Osteen and an invitation to join a Bible-based church.
Quick summary (one-paragraph)
Joel Osteen teaches that when life brings detours — closed doors, storms, job losses, illness, loss of a loved one — these are often God’s means of redirecting you to a greater place of blessing. Using Scripture (Mark 6, Acts 8), personal testimony, and modern examples, he urges listeners to trust God when they don’t understand, keep peace in the storm, refuse bitterness, and expect God’s favor and abundance on the other side. Practical steps include changing your response to trials, staying in faith, and using offered devotional resources to strengthen belief in healing and restoration.