Summary of "God Can Turn Back Time" | Joel Osteen Podcast

Podcast Title: Joel Osteen Podcast
Host: Joel Osteen
Episode Title: God Can Turn Back Time
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Duration: Approximately 32 minutes

Introduction

In the episode titled "God Can Turn Back Time," Joel Osteen delves into the profound belief that God possesses the power to restore lost time in our lives. Drawing from biblical stories, personal anecdotes, and modern-day examples, Joel encourages listeners to maintain faith, overcome past regrets, and embrace new beginnings orchestrated by divine intervention.

Key Themes and Discussions

1. Restoration of Lost Time

Joel opens the discussion by addressing common feelings of regret and missed opportunities. He emphasizes that no matter the setbacks one has faced—be it in relationships, careers, or personal struggles—God has the authority to restore and make up for lost time.

• Notable Quote:
  "God controls time. You need to believe that every opportunity you've missed, every chance you've blown, God will turn back time and bring that back across your path."
  (Timestamp: 06:15)

2. Biblical Examples Illustrating Divine Restoration

Joel references key biblical figures to exemplify God's ability to restore and extend opportunities:

• Hezekiah’s Additional Years:
  Hezekiah, faced with a terminal illness, prayed earnestly for mercy. God granted him an additional 15 years of life, demonstrating that divine intervention can alter the natural course of time.

  • Notable Quote:
    "Think about how bold Hezekiah was. Friends, God is moved by our faith."
    (Timestamp: 09:45)

• David’s Near-Mistake and Abigail’s Intervention:
  David, anointed to be king but facing years of uncertainty, contemplated abandoning his divine mission out of frustration. Abigail, recognizing the divine promise, reminded him to stay focused, preventing a major setback in his destiny.

  • Notable Quote:
    "She spoke sense into David. She encouraged him to keep thinking about his future and to stay the course and not give up on his dreams."
    (Timestamp: 22:30)

3. Modern-Day Testimonies of Restoration

Joel shares contemporary stories that mirror the biblical accounts, illustrating that God's restorative power is as relevant today as it was in ancient times:

• Overcoming Addiction:
  A man struggled with cocaine addiction for the first 40 years of his life. Through faith and divine intervention, he regained his family, career, and personal fulfillment, attributing his transformation to God's ability to turn back time.

  • Notable Quote:
    "He said, I never dreamed God would give me another chance. I never dreamed I could be this fulfilled. What happened? God turned back time."
    (Timestamp: 19:50)

• Colonel Sanders and KFC:
  Despite facing business failures and setbacks, Colonel Sanders persevered. God restored his fortunes, leading to the global success of Kentucky Fried Chicken, exemplifying that persistence coupled with faith leads to miraculous turnarounds.

  • Notable Quote:
    "But Colonel Sanders. He knew God is a God of restoration. He knew God still had a way to bring those dreams to pass."
    (Timestamp: 24:10)

4. Personal Reflections and Family Restoration

Joel shares a heartfelt personal story about his daughter, Alexandra, whose early childhood coincided with his father's illness and passing. Feeling the weight of missed moments, Joel prayed for restoration. Miraculously, he and his daughter developed a deep, unbreakable bond, attributing this renewed relationship to God's intervention.

• Notable Quote:
  "Now I realize I'm somewhat irresistible. But I really believe that's God turning the clock back. And making up for those lost years."
  (Timestamp: 26:45)

5. Encouragement to Maintain Faith Amidst Trials

Joel urges listeners to hold steadfast to their faith, even when faced with prolonged hardships or visible delays in God's promises. He emphasizes that maintaining a vision for the future and believing in God's timing are crucial for experiencing restoration.

• Notable Quote:
  "You have to keep God's promises on the forefront of your thinking. Have the attitude, I may not feel like I'm going to get well, but I know God said I will live and not die."
  (Timestamp: 28:15)

Practical Applications

• Prayer and Declaration:
  Joel encourages listeners to boldly declare their faith and desires to God, seeking His intervention to restore lost time and opportunities.

• Vision and Focus:
  Maintaining a clear vision of God's promises helps prevent discouragement and keeps individuals aligned with their divine destiny.

• Community and Support:
  Stories like Abigail's highlight the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who reinforce faith and encourage perseverance.

Conclusion

"God Can Turn Back Time" serves as a powerful reminder of God's limitless ability to restore, renew, and renew the trajectories of our lives. Joel Osteen's blend of scripture, personal insight, and real-life examples underscores the message that no past mistake or missed opportunity is beyond God's redemptive power. By maintaining faith, seeking divine restoration, and staying focused on God's promises, listeners are empowered to embrace new beginnings and fulfill their destinies.

• Final Notable Quote:
  "The scripture says, be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you. I'm asking you to dig your heels in and fight the good fight of faith."
  (Timestamp: 31:00)

Takeaway

Listeners are left with a renewed sense of hope and assurance that God's grace can transform their past hardships into a foundation for a brighter future. By trusting in His timing and maintaining unwavering faith, one can experience the profound truth that God truly can turn back time.