Joel Osteen Podcast — “Embracing Change” (December 12, 2025)

Overview

In this episode, Joel Osteen shares an inspiring message about the inevitability and necessity of change in our lives. With warmth and humor, Osteen encourages listeners to not only accept change but to embrace it as a vehicle for growth and transformation. Drawing from personal stories, Scripture, and practical examples, the episode offers a faith-based roadmap to navigating transitions — whether in relationships, careers, or spiritual journeys — with trust that God orchestrates these seasons for a higher purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Inevitability of Change (03:25 - 04:00)

• Change is a Constant: Joel opens by stating that “one thing is certain. Change is inevitable. People change. Jobs change, styles change. Even seasons change. And God has designed us to need change.”
• Many people resist change because it means stepping into the unfamiliar, but staying put leads to stagnation.

Embracing Change vs. Resisting It (04:01 - 06:20)

• Resisting change can lead to being “stuck in a rut,” while embracing it opens the door to new seasons and opportunities for growth.
• “Sometimes the very things that we fight against... is actually the hand of God trying to push us into a new season.”

God’s Role in Stirring Things Up (06:21 - 08:15)

• Change may come through discomfort: loss of support, uphill struggles, or closed doors.
• Osteen emphasizes, “God loves us too much to just leave us alone.”
• Quotes:
  • “Just as God can supernaturally open doors, sometimes God will supernaturally close doors.” (06:48)
  • “If we can just realize nothing happens by accident, God is directing every one of our steps.” (07:15)

Moving Forward after Setbacks (08:16 - 11:55)

• Past relationships, jobs, or other circumstances may end because God is readying us for more.
• Memorable metaphor: “Sometimes God will turn the boat over,” forcing necessary forward movement.
• On relationships:
  • “Don’t be discouraged over the people that leave your life... you need to just blow them a kiss goodbye, wave at them, never look back, keep moving forward.” (10:38)
• Personal/family stories: Joel shares how his father’s painful church transition ultimately led to starting Lakewood Church, illustrating God’s bigger plan at work.

Biblical Examples & Lessons (11:56 - 15:55)

• Deuteronomy 32:11 — Osteen likens God’s stirring up of His people to an eagle stirring her nest: “So God will stir up his children.”
• Once a season ends, it's crucial to let go and prepare for what’s new.
  • “When a season is over, we’ve got to learn to accept it and get ready to embrace the new.” (13:55)

Honoring the Past, Accepting the New (16:00 - 18:05)

• Osteen describes how he and Victoria made changes after taking over leadership, honoring the past but not being confined by it.
• On traditions: “Understand what was good in the past was right for the past. It was right for that time. But God is a progressive God. He likes to do new things.” (17:45)

Tradition vs. Transformation (18:06 - 20:41)

• Story about generational loyalty to church pews humorously illustrates how people get trapped by tradition.
• “I’m all for being loyal and sticking with something. But I also know you have to put yourself in a place where you’re going to grow, where you’re going to be challenged.” (19:40)

The Value of Letting Go (20:42 - 23:58)

• It’s not that past seasons or relationships were bad — just that sometimes their purpose is completed.
• “Maybe that season is over... it was a good season. It’s just a new day and God wants to do a new thing.” (22:12)

New Opportunities through Closed Doors (23:59 - 25:20)

• Tells a story of a friend afraid to leave a job until he was forcibly let go — leading eventually to far greater fulfillment.
• “Friends, you weren’t created to be average. You were created to excel. You were created to leave your mark on our generation.” (24:56)

Persecution & Discomfort as Catalysts (25:21 - 27:39)

• Biblical reference: Persecution forced Philip out of Jerusalem to Samaria—where he found greater purpose.
• “Sometimes, we got to step back and just say, God, what are you trying to do in my life?” (26:45)

Accepting the Finality of Change (27:40 - 29:19)

• The analogy of the Red Sea: “Sometimes the reason God closes a door is so that we cannot go back.” (28:05)
• “God is saying, let go of that. Maybe that season is over. And not that it wasn’t a good season... but we can’t stay there forever.” (28:47)

Comfort Zones & the Temptation to Return (29:20 - 31:05)

• Anecdote about Scooter the dog who, when scared, ran 10 miles back to his old home, even though his new home was better — illustrating our tendency to retreat to the familiar.
• “God has opened up new doors… but we’re so focused on how it used to be… we keep coming back to the old. No, it’s time to accept change.” (30:20)

Healthy Moving Forward (31:06 - 32:19)

• Joel explains why he’s never revisited his father’s grave: the past can be honored, but living there is unhealthy.
• “You were created to soar. You have a set of eagle’s wings just waiting on you.” (31:40)

Final Encouragement (32:20 - 33:06)

• “If you’ll learn to not only accept change, but to embrace change, God promises he will do a new thing. And I’ve discovered God’s new is always much better than the old.” (32:40)
• “You may have had great victories in your past, but your greatest victories are still in your future.” (32:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On closed doors:
  “We all love when God opens doors. But sometimes our closed doors do us even more good. Because if God had not closed the door, we would have been satisfied to just stay where we were.” (28:12)
• On tradition:
  “You’d be better off to fight a pit bull than to try to get their pew... What’s the problem? They are stuck in tradition. And tradition is not bad. But tradition can change.” (18:48)
• On letting go:
  “Once God is done with something, it’s never going to be like it was before. Well, it sure was good back then, Joel. Yes, but let me tell you, it’s going to be even better in the days ahead.” (30:45)
• On the future:
  “You have not laughed your best laugh yet. You’ve not lived your best year yet... You’re going to rise higher and higher. The winds you thought were going to destroy you are going to be the winds that push you to a new level.” (32:57)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 03:25 — Theme introduction: Embracing change
• 06:48 — God’s role in closing doors
• 10:38 — Letting go of relationships
• 13:55 — Accepting the end of a season
• 17:45 — God as a progressive God; value of new ways
• 22:12 — Accepting closed chapters
• 24:56 — Called to excel, not settle
• 26:45 — Ask God what He is doing in your life
• 28:05 — Why closed doors exist
• 30:20 — Returning to the familiar vs. embracing the new
• 31:40 — Created to soar; eagles’ wings imagery
• 32:40-32:57 — Final word of encouragement and future hope

Takeaway

Joel Osteen’s message encourages listeners to shift their mindset about change: it is not something to fear, but to welcome — as God’s way of pushing us to our fullest potential. By letting go of the past, resisting the trap of tradition, and stepping out of comfort zones, we position ourselves for greater growth, blessing, and fulfillment in God’s plan. The episode ends with an uplifting assurance: “God’s new is always much better than the old.”

Tone & Style

Osteen’s trademark tone is optimistic, approachable, and gently humorous, mixing practical advice with personal vulnerability and faith-based conviction. Throughout, he maintains a conversational style, peppered with relatable anecdotes and Scripture to ground the message.

For those who missed this episode:
Whether you’re facing a job change, a shift in relationships, or life’s unexpected turns, this episode arms you with perspective and faith, urging you to see God’s hand guiding you into “a new thing” — and to embrace the winds of change that carry you higher.