Joel Osteen Podcast: "It's Under Your Feet"

Episode Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Joel Osteen
Theme: Viewing Life's Challenges as Already Defeated

Episode Overview

In this inspirational episode, Joel Osteen explores the transformative power of perspective in dealing with difficulties. Drawing from biblical principles, personal stories, and uplifting anecdotes, Osteen encourages listeners to see every obstacle, sickness, or setback as already "under your feet"—defeated through faith and God's promises. Through practical advice and scriptural examples, the message is clear: with the right perspective and a spirit of faith, every stumbling block can become a stepping stone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Perspective in Overcoming Difficulties

• Main Insight: How we view our problems influences whether we are overcome or become overcomers.
  • "How we see our difficulties very often will determine whether or not we get out of them." (03:00)
• Many settle for mediocrity, believing their struggles are permanent, but scripture says otherwise:
  • Referenced: 1 Corinthians 15 – God has put “all things under our feet.”
• Action: Change your perspective—see your challenges as beneath you, not above you.

2. Scriptural Foundation: All Things Under Your Feet

• We must walk by faith and not by sight.
  • "We walk by faith and not by sight. In the natural, it may look huge. But when you talk to those obstacles, like David, by faith, you need to look down." (04:50)
• Use faith to “look down” on problems as already conquered.

3. Practical Application: Confronting Obstacles

• When addressing an enemy (addiction, sickness, fear), look down—not as equals but as having authority over challenges.
  • "If you want to say something to the enemy, write it on the bottom of your shoe because he's under your feet." (06:00)
• Illustration: Unlike boxers who go “toe to toe,” you don’t confront your problems as equals; you stand above them (06:22).

4. Testimony: Changing Perspective Can Change Outcomes

• Story of a woman diagnosed with cancer who initially felt defeated, but after "looking down" at her illness (changing her perspective), she regained her strength and is now cancer-free.
  • "She changed her outlook. She got her fire back, her passion back...Today she is four years cancer free." (10:58)
• The first place we lose the victory is in our thinking.

5. Powering Up Every Day: The Armor of God

• Begin each day by mentally “arming up”—putting on spiritual armor to prepare for life's battles (Ephesians 6:10-18).
  • Quote: "When we get out of bed in the morning, first thing we should do is power up, get our minds going in the right direction. Remind yourself, I'm ready for this day. I'm equipped, I'm empowered. I've got my armor on, got my shoes of peace..." (14:20)
• Expect God’s favor and approach the day with boldness and faith.

6. Stay in Peace—Let God Fight Your Battles

• Use difficulties as opportunities to rest in God’s provision, not strive in your own strength.
  • "If you want God to make your enemy your footstool, you have to be still and know that He is God." (16:23)
• Scriptural reference: Psalm 110 – "God will make your enemies your footstool."

7. God’s Justice: Personal Stories of Vindication

• Story of a young man fired unfairly, later becoming a successful business owner leasing property to his former boss.
  • "Several years later, his former boss...needed a new building...it just so happened the building...was owned by this young man." (18:54)
• Message: Remain peaceful—God will turn injustice around for your good.

8. Celebrating God’s Vindication in Public

• God’s blessings are often made evident in front of those who doubted or opposed you.
  • "God will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies." (Psalm 23:5, paraphrased at 19:34)
• Don’t let gossip or disrespect distract you—focus on your own path.

9. Overcoming Delays and Difficult People with Faith

• Testimony of a man facing administrative hurdles with his wife’s visa. By staying calm and refusing to retaliate, God resolved the matter dramatically.
  • "Several weeks later, he got a call...telling him that his visa was ready...You’re making my life miserable. Take this visa and go." (22:15)

10. No Weapon Formed Against You Will Prosper

• Reminds listeners that problems may form, but they cannot prosper against God’s children (Isaiah 54:17).
  • "It says, challenges will come. People may talk. You may get a negative medical report…The problem may form, but you can stay in peace knowing that it's not going to prosper against you." (23:08)
• Even genetic or overwhelming difficulties can be overcome through faith.

11. Ramiro’s Story: Overcoming Birth Defects through Faith and Medical Help

• Ramiro, born without ears, was able to hear, speak, and even sing after prayer and medical intervention.
  • "Friends, whatever you're facing, it is under your feet. It is not permanent, it's temporary...The problem may have formed, but it is not going to prosper." (27:20)

12. Call to Action: Put Problems Under Your Feet

• Practical encouragement to stop letting problems disturb your peace. Instead, give them to God and see them as already conquered.
  • "When you talk to that sickness, that obstacle, that depression, as an act of faith, do like David and look down. It's no match for you." (27:52)
• Promise: God will make your enemies your footstool.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perspective:
  “That addiction is not going to dog you your whole life. It's under your feet... It's just a matter of time before you break through to a new level.” (03:38)

• On Talking to Problems:
  “If you want to say something to the enemy, write it on the bottom of your shoe because he's under your feet.” (06:00)

• On Being "Armed and Dangerous":
  “If the enemy had a post office, your picture would be up there. You are not a weakling. You are bad to the bone. You are a child of the most high God.” (14:10)

• On Rest and God's Role:
  “If you want God to make your enemy your footstool, you have to be still and know that He is God.” (16:23)

• On Vindication:
  "God can vindicate you better than you can vindicate yourself. If you will let God do it his way, it'll be bigger, sweeter, more rewarding, more honoring." (17:44)

• On Overcoming Adversity:
  “Whatever you're facing, it is under your feet. It is not permanent, it's temporary. The power that is for you is greater than any power that comes against you.” (27:20)

Key Timestamps

• 03:00: Defining the theme—seeing challenges as under your feet
• 06:00: The boxing analogy – you don’t face problems on their level
• 10:58: Testimony of the woman healed from cancer
• 14:10: Powering up each day with God's armor
• 16:23: Psalm 110 and learning to rest so God can work
• 18:54: Young man leasing property to his former boss – God’s justice
• 19:34: Psalm 23:5 - God prepares a table in the presence of enemies
• 22:15: Visa testimony – let God apply the pressure
• 23:08: Isaiah 54:17 – no weapon formed against you prospers
• 27:20: Ramiro’s testimony – faith in adversity
• 27:52: Final encouragement – act in faith and see obstacles as conquered

Overall Tone and Takeaway

Throughout the episode, Joel Osteen maintains his trademark uplifting, optimistic, and faith-filled tone. His message is clear, actionable, and deeply rooted in scripture: Challenges are inevitable, but through faith, the right mindset, and God's power, every obstacle can be conquered. Listeners are encouraged to see themselves as already victorious, to stay peaceful, and to allow God to handle their battles.

Final Encouragement:
"If you will see these obstacles as being under your feet, God promises he'll make your enemies your footstool. Instead of being a stumbling block, it'll be a stepping stone." (27:54)

Who Should Listen

Anyone seeking encouragement, struggling with persistent problems, or desiring a renewed sense of hope in the face of adversity will find this episode deeply empowering and practical—no matter where they are on their faith journey.