Podcast Summary:

Joel Osteen Podcast
Episode: Finding The Lost You | Joel Osteen
Date: December 28, 2025
Host: Joel Osteen

Episode Overview

In this uplifting episode, Joel Osteen explores the theme of rediscovering your authentic self, especially after life’s disappointments, setbacks, or personal mistakes. Drawing from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, as well as personal anecdotes and contemporary parables, Joel encourages listeners to come out of emotional hiding and embrace the joyful, passionate, and confident person God created them to be.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life’s Challenges Can Cause Us to Lose Ourselves

• Joel discusses how life—through disappointments, loss, mistakes, and mistreatment—can erode our zest for life and make us unrecognizable even to ourselves.
• “At one time, we were outgoing, excited about our dreams… Then life happens… We look up and wonder where that other person went.” (03:00)

2. God's Question: "Where Are You?"

• Referencing Genesis, Joel explains that after Adam and Eve felt shame and hid from God, He asked Adam, "Where are you?"—not about location, but about state of being and identity.
• “God wasn't asking this question to find an answer. He already knew where they were. He was asking to make Adam think, 'Where are you? Not just physically...'” (06:00)

3. Hiding Due to Shame, Hurt, or Fear

• Many people respond to pain or failure by disengaging, hiding their true selves (their dreams, talents, feelings, or passion).
• Examples: Not participating at work, disconnecting from family, or burying creativity.
• “You have so much to offer. But the way many people handle hurts… is to isolate, to disengage, turn their feelings off...” (08:30)

4. The Enemy Wants You Disengaged and Defeated

• Spiritual opposition aims to keep us from fulfilling our purpose by trapping us in shame, regret, and disengagement.
• “The enemy would love for you to live disengaged, unplugged. Hiding your gifts, hiding your creativity, hiding your feelings.” (09:23)

5. God Can't Heal What Is Hidden

• Healing and restoration require vulnerability and choosing to step out of isolation, despite risks.
• “God can’t heal what's hidden. He's asking you to come out, to get back engaged. But he's not going to force you. You have to make that choice.” (10:05)

6. Personal Anecdote: Overcoming Insecurity

• Joel shares a story of being called “Peanut” in high school due to his size, not making the baseball team, and how it made him hide and feel insecure.
• “But I could hear God whispering deep down in my spirit, 'Joel, where are you? Where is that person I created: strong, confident, fun, outgoing?'” (13:23)

7. God Never Gives Up on You

• Even when we retreat or settle for less, God continually seeks out our authentic selves, calling us back to fullness.
• “God never gives up on us. Even when we hide, even when we lose the person He made us to be, He keeps coming after us, saying, 'Where are you? I miss you. I need you. I can restore you.'” (15:05)

8. Don’t Let Negative Voices (Internal or External) Define You

• The world and the enemy often plant disparaging thoughts—Joel advocates identifying and rejecting anything contrary to God’s affirming voice.
• “Who told you that mistake stopped your purpose? Who told you that you’re washed up, unworthy, just sit on the sidelines? That’s the accuser trying to keep you in hiding...” (19:23)

9. Illustration: The Rescued Stray Dog

• Joel tells the story of a defensive, hurt stray dog that eventually blossoms into a joyful, trusting pet once shown persistent love—paralleling how God lovingly coaxes us to come out of hiding and trust again.
• “Like that little dog, there is so much more in you. You’re just letting that defense mechanism cause you to isolate… God is coming to you. He’s calling your name.” (23:17)

10. Elijah’s Cave: Even the Faithful Can Lose Themselves

• The prophet Elijah, after great victory, lost his sense of purpose and hid in a cave—God called him out to reclaim his role and identity.
• “God came to him in the cave and said, ‘Elijah, what are you doing here? This is not who I made you to be…’” (26:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joel Osteen (03:00):
  “At one time we were outgoing, excited about our dreams... Then life happens... We look up and wonder where that other person went.”

• Joel Osteen (06:00):
  “God was asking [Adam], 'Where are you?' Not just physically. He was talking about his state of mind, his attitude, how he saw himself.”

• Joel Osteen (09:23):
  “The enemy would love for you to live disengaged, unplugged. Hiding your gifts, hiding your creativity, hiding your feelings.”

• Joel Osteen (10:05):
  “God can’t heal what’s hidden... You have to make that choice, to come out of isolation, come out of fear, come out of shame, come out of regrets and get back in the game.”

• Joel Osteen (13:23):
  “But I could hear God whispering deep down in my spirit, 'Joel, where are you?'”

• Joel Osteen (15:05):
  “God never gives up on us. Even when we hide, even when we lose the person he made us to be, he keeps coming after us, saying, 'Where are you? I miss you. I need you. I can restore you.'”

• Joel Osteen (19:23):
  “Who told you that mistake stopped your purpose? ... That’s the accuser trying to keep you in hiding, feeling guilty and unworthy so you won’t pursue your dreams.”

• Parable of the Dog (23:17):
  “Like that little dog, there is so much more in you. You’re just letting that defense mechanism cause you to isolate... God is coming to you. He’s calling your name.”

• Joel Osteen on Elijah (26:25):
  “God came to him in the cave and said, ‘Elijah, what are you doing here?’ ... Come out of hiding and go back to who I say you are: powerful, anointed, favored, victorious.”

Chronological Timeline & Timestamps

• Opening & Theme Introduction (01:25 - 03:00):
  Joel sets the premise: finding the “lost you” that life’s trials may have hidden.
• Life: Losing Pieces of Ourselves (03:00 - 06:00):
  How disappointments and hurts change us, making us less than our true selves.
• The Garden of Eden Analogy (06:00 - 09:23):
  Adam and Eve’s hiding and God’s probing question.
• Hiding Our Gifts & Hearts (09:23 - 10:45):
  The impact of withdrawing in response to pain.
• How to Step Out of Hiding (10:45 - 13:23):
  Encouragement to actively reclaim dreams and the real self.
• Personal Story of Insecurity (13:23 - 15:05):
  Joel’s struggle in high school and the internal call to return.
• God’s Persistent Pursuit (15:05 - 19:23):
  God never stops looking for our fullness; don’t listen to limiting beliefs.
• Rejecting Negative Labels (19:23 - 21:50):
  Don’t let others or circumstances define you; God’s word is final.
• The Parable of the Rescued Dog (21:50 - 24:40):
  Healing is possible with persistent love; trust must be rebuilt.
• Coming out of Comfort & Insecurity (24:40 - 26:25):
  Remaining in hiding only brings unrest and stalls purpose.
• Story of Elijah’s Cave (26:25 - 28:07):
  Even great faith can falter—God still calls us out and restores us.
• Closing Encouragement & Prayer (28:07 - 28:41):
  Joel prays for listeners to reclaim their joy, confidence, and value.

Final Thoughts & Takeaway Message

Joel’s message is one of hope and restoration:

• You are not defined by your setbacks, hurts, or mistakes.
• God continually seeks the real, undiminished you and will restore your lost qualities if you step back into faith, openness, and engagement.
• Don't listen to voices (internal or external) that tell you you're not enough. Only God's voice matters.

As Joel declares:
“The confident you, the joyful you, the passionate you, the valuable you, the successful you, the victorious you... In Jesus’ name.” (28:07)

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

If you’re feeling disconnected from your former selves—your creativity, joy, or confidence—this episode offers both biblical wisdom and personal encouragement to step out of hiding and embrace the exciting, fulfilling life God intended for you.