Joel Osteen Podcast

Episode: The Guardian Of Your Soul

Host: Joel Osteen
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this uplifting episode, Joel Osteen encourages listeners to embrace confidence and peace by trusting in God as "the guardian of your soul." He draws from scripture, personal stories, and vivid analogies to remind the audience that, despite the turmoil, disease, or opposition in the world, God's divine protection creates a distinction around those who trust in Him. The central message is an invitation to reject worry and fear and to live boldly in the assurance of God's safeguarding presence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. God as the Guardian of Your Soul

• God Did Not Leave You Unprotected

  • Joel reassures that God doesn’t simply place us on earth without care; He actively shields, rescues, and restores (04:10).
    • “You have a protector, a defender, a deliverer. The most high God is the guardian of your soul.” — Joel Osteen [04:10]

• Scripture Foundation:

  • References to Psalm 91 and Psalm 121 about God rescuing and guarding His people.
  • God shields us from dangers we aren’t even aware of, and understands how to keep harm away or heal and restore (05:15).

2. Evidence of Divine Protection

• Personal Family Story:

  • Joel shares how his father, as a toddler, wandered into a fire and was miraculously saved, highlighting how God intervenes to protect destinies (06:05).

• Biblical Examples:

  • Israelites and the Plagues (07:48):

    • The Israelites were unharmed by the plagues that struck Egypt, emphasizing how God makes a distinction and provides a hedge of protection.
    • “What will defeat others won’t be able to defeat you. When business is going down, you’re going to go up.” — Joel Osteen [09:20]

  • David’s Life (12:02):

    • Despite being hunted by Saul, David was shielded; “Saul hunted David day after day, but God did not let him be found.” — Joel Osteen [12:12]

• Analogy: “You Can’t Touch This”

  • Using MC Hammer’s famous lyric, Joel encourages listeners to declare, “You can’t touch this,” over areas where the enemy tries to attack (10:14).

3. Responding to Difficulties

• Standing in Faith not Fear:

  • Joel urges listeners not to accept adversity as permanent—sickness, fear, and lack don’t belong to you.
  • “Quit calling it my sickness, my anxiety, my dysfunction, my addiction. It’s not yours. None of it belongs to you.” — Joel Osteen [11:28]

• Seeing Trouble as Temporary:

  • Adversity may come, but it should be seen as passing. Rain falls on the just and unjust; it’s not evidence of lack of faith (12:38).
    • “If you’ll keep the right attitude, that rain is not going to hinder you. It’s going to cause you to blossom.” — Joel Osteen [13:00]

4. The Power of Words and Faith-Filled Declarations

• Declare Protection:

  • It’s not enough to simply seek God’s presence—you must actively declare His protection and speak words of faith (14:01).
    • “What you’re saying is going to make a difference whether you see God’s protection and favor like you should.” — Joel Osteen [14:09]

• Examples from David’s Psalms:

  • “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?...” Joel quotes David’s affirmations, underscoring the spiritual principle of vocalizing faith (15:24).

5. Trusting God’s Methods and Timing

• Divine Distractions:

  • When David was nearly captured by Saul, God orchestrated a distraction (Philistine attack) that saved David, showing God’s creative protection (17:02).
    • “God has ways to protect you that you’ve never thought of. He knows how to distract your enemies. He controls the universe.” — Joel Osteen [17:35]

• Let God Fight Your Battles:

  • Don’t become consumed with seeking justice or revenge; remain on the high road, letting God be your defender (16:30).

6. Living with Peace and Purpose

• Guarding Against Negativity:

  • Joel warns against consuming too much negative news or participating in doom-filled conversations (19:38).
    • “A ship doesn’t sink because of water around it...If that ship lets what’s on the outside get on the inside, then it’s a problem.” — Joel Osteen [20:11]

• Feed Your Faith:

  • Replace negativity with God’s Word and uplifting content to strengthen your inner person.

7. Personal Testimonies and Vision

• Joel’s Own Journey:

  • Joel recounts a vivid dream from early ministry days—despite bombs dropping and enemies encroaching, he remained untouched, illustrating God’s supernatural shielding (22:10).
    • “Things may be exploding all around you, but I have you in the palm of my hand.” — God’s voice in Joel’s dream [23:30]

• Encouragement for Listeners:

  • Even when surrounded by opposition, stay at peace, knowing God is orchestrating your protection.

8. Unique Illustrations

• The Moses Sole (Fish) Analogy:
  • Joel shares about the Moses sole, a fish that secretes toxins making it immune to shark attacks, symbolizing the special, God-given protection believers enjoy (26:10).
    • “God put something in this little fish to protect it...God has put something on you that will keep the enemy from defeating you.” — Joel Osteen [27:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Living with Distinction:

  • “What will defeat others won’t be able to defeat you.” — Joel Osteen [09:20]

• On Rejecting Defeat:

  • “You don’t have to answer the door. Don’t open it up...When it knocks, say, no thanks, you’re not welcome here.” — Joel Osteen [11:55]

• On God’s Mysterious Protection:

  • “God knows how to make you invisible to the enemy...He has all kinds of ways to protect you.” — Joel Osteen [24:45]

• On Peace and Faith:

  • “When you’re in peace, that’s a position of power. When you know God is in control, you’re going to feel a force sustaining you.” — Joel Osteen [18:18]

• On Guarding Your Mind:

  • “You can’t watch the news all day and stay afloat...Tune it out and tune in to what God says about you.” — Joel Osteen [20:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:10] – Introduction to God as Guardian
• [06:05] – Joel’s father’s childhood story of miraculous rescue
• [07:48] – The Israelites and God’s protection during the plagues
• [09:20] – “What will defeat others won’t be able to defeat you.”
• [10:14] – “You can’t touch this” analogy—a call to claim authority
• [12:02 – 13:00] – Difficulties are temporary; it rains on the just and unjust
• [14:09] – The importance of faith-filled words
• [15:24] – David’s psalm of confidence
• [17:02] – God rescues David through a sudden distraction for Saul
• [19:38 – 20:35] – The threat of negativity and staying positive
• [22:10 – 23:30] – Joel’s dream: bombs and divine shielding
• [26:10 – 27:00] – The Moses sole fish: analogy of unique protection
• [29:37 onward] – Transition to personal testimony and ministry resources (end of core message)

Episode Tone

Joel delivers this message with warmth, clarity, and gentle humor, marked by his trademark encouragement and emphasis on faith over fear. His tone is compassionate yet confident, inviting listeners to both rest in God's care and actively declare His promises.

Takeaways for Listeners

• You’re not alone; God actively guards your life.
• Faith-filled declarations activate divine protection—speak life, not defeat.
• Troubles may knock, but you don’t have to let them in.
• Guard your heart and mind; immerse yourself in God’s promises rather than negativity.
• Trust that God’s protection, though sometimes invisible, is always at work, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

If you haven’t listened to this episode, this summary encapsulates the spiritual encouragement, biblical grounding, and everyday wisdom Joel offers—reminding all that in uncertain times, there is a guardian lovingly watching over every step.