One of my favourite preachers is Pastor Joel Osteen. I love his preaching, but more importantly, I appreciate the message he consistently shares about faith, hope, perseverance and the power of believing in what God can do through our lives.
Recently, I watched one of his messages in which he talked about how he felt after the death of his father, Pastor John Osteen, in 1999.
The death of his father placed Joel in an unfamiliar and intimidating position. His father had been the pastor of the church, but Joel had never ministered before. Suddenly, he found himself stepping forward to lead the congregation.
It was a huge responsibility.
Joel admitted that he already felt insecure and unqualified. He was stepping into the shoes of a man whom people respected and loved, and he probably wondered whether he could live up to the expectations surrounding him.
Then, one Sunday after the service, he overheard two ladies talking in the lobby.
One said, “He is not as good as his father.” The other replied that she did not think the church was going to last.
Imagine hearing those words at a time when you were already struggling with insecurity.
Joel could have allowed those words to confirm everything he was already thinking about himself. He could have said, “Maybe they are right. Maybe I am not good enough. Maybe I really cannot do this.”
But he chose a different response. He realised that he could not allow someone else’s opinion to become a label over his life. That lesson is important for all of us.
Words Are Seeds
Words are like seeds. When someone speaks a negative word about us, it may initially appear insignificant. But when we continue to think about it, repeat it and believe it, that word can take root in our minds.
Someone tells you, “You are not good enough,” and you begin to believe it.
A person tells you, “Your marriage will never work,” “Your business will never succeed,” “You are too old,” “You are too young,” or “People like you don’t achieve great things,” and if you dwell on those words long enough, they can become mental barriers.
The danger is not simply what people say. The greater danger is what we choose to believe about what they say. Not every word spoken about you deserves a place in your heart.
Don’t Wear Every Label People Give You
One of the greatest mistakes we can make is accepting every label people put on us. People may label you according to your past.
They may label you according to your mistakes, family background, your failures or even label you according to what they think you are capable of achieving.
But people’s opinions are not God’s final verdict concerning your life. You may have failed, but that does not make you a failure. What happened to you is not necessarily who you are.
The Enemy Wants You to Believe the Wrong Story
From a Christian perspective, the enemy understands that our thoughts can influence our actions.
If he can convince you that you are incapable, you may never attempt what God has placed in your heart.
That is why we must become careful about the voices we allow to shape our identity. There will always be critics, and sometimes, those people may even be close to you, but you cannot allow every voice around you to become the voice within you.
Change the Label
Pastor Joel eventually chose to replace the negative labels with what he believed God said about him.
Instead of allowing insecurity to define him, he held on to the words of Scripture. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
He reminded himself that he was strong in the Lord and that God had called and equipped him.
Pastor Joel chose to believe that his limitations were not greater than God’s ability. That change in mindset mattered.
Imagine what might have happened if he had allowed those two women’s comments to become his identity.
Perhaps he would have quit, but he did not. Do not allow someone else’s doubt to become your destiny.
Let God Have the Final Word
Our worth is not determined by the lips of people, but our worth comes from God.
People see our weaknesses. God sees our potential.
This does not mean we should ignore constructive criticism. Sometimes people can point out genuine weaknesses that we need to address. Humility requires us to listen and grow.
But there is a difference between correction that helps us grow and condemnation that makes us give up.
Learn from correction and reject destructive labels and above all, remember what God says about you.
You are not defined by the worst thing you have ever done. If someone plants a seed of doubt, don’t water it with constant meditation.
Do not let someone else’s words become the prison of your mind. God has the final word concerning your life.
And when God says you can rise, don’t remain on the ground simply because someone told you that you would never stand.
