Keep The Right Identity | Joel Osteen - Joel Osteen Podcast

Summary

Joel Osteen Podcast: Episode Summary – "Keep The Right Identity"

Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction

In this inspiring episode of the Joel Osteen Daily Podcast titled "Keep The Right Identity," Joel Osteen delves deep into the significance of maintaining one's true identity amidst challenging circumstances. Together with his wife, Victoria Osteen, Joel offers insights and anecdotes aimed at encouraging listeners to embrace their God-given identities regardless of external pressures or setbacks.

1. Understanding Identity in Adversity

Joel begins by addressing the common struggle of maintaining a positive self-identity when faced with adverse situations. He emphasizes that while God has bestowed dreams and promises upon individuals, environmental factors can sometimes make these aspirations seem unattainable.

Quote:
_"God says you're blessed, you're favored, you're healthy, you're free." – Joel Osteen [07:45]*

Joel underscores that challenges such as financial struggles, relationship issues, or health problems can tempt individuals to redefine themselves based on their current circumstances rather than their divine identity.

2. Biblical Examples: Joseph and David

To illustrate his point, Joel references prominent biblical figures who exemplified steadfastness in their identity despite unfavorable environments.

Joseph's Journey:
Joel recounts Joseph's life, highlighting how he remained true to his God-given identity even when enslaved and imprisoned in Egypt. Despite his brothers' betrayal and subsequent hardships, Joseph did not let his circumstances overshadow his belief in his destined role.

Quote:
"The environment didn't change who God created you to be." – Joel Osteen [12:30]
David the Shepherd King:
Similarly, Joel speaks about David, who was anointed king while still tending sheep. Despite the disparity between his current role and his future as a leader of Israel, David maintained his kingly identity, ultimately leading to his pivotal victory over Goliath and his rise to prominence.

Quote:
"David understood this principle. My environment doesn't define who I am. My God defines who I am." – Joel Osteen [22:50]

These stories serve as powerful reminders that one's true identity, as defined by God, remains intact regardless of external difficulties.

3. Personal Anecdotes and Modern-Day Examples

Joel shares relatable stories from everyday life to demonstrate how individuals can cling to their true identities in the face of adversity.

Steve Harvey's Story:
Joel narrates the journey of Steve Harvey, who faced numerous challenges, including homelessness, before achieving success as a renowned television personality. Steve's unwavering belief in his dream, despite his environment suggesting otherwise, exemplifies the power of maintaining one's God-ordained identity.

Quote:
"Today, that young boy, Stevie, is Steve Harvey. He's on television all the time, making people laugh. He gives God all the credit." – Joel Osteen [25:15]
A Young Woman's Transformation:
Another poignant story involves a young woman from a dysfunctional background who transformed her life by embracing her true identity. From struggling with poverty and single motherhood, she pursued education relentlessly and eventually became a school principal, epitomizing the concept of being "a prince in the pit" destined for greater things.

Quote:
"She started believing she was who God said she was. Blessed, talented, valuable, with a bright future." – Joel Osteen [19:40]

These narratives illustrate that with faith and perseverance, anyone can overcome their circumstances and realize their God-given potential.

4. The Power of Self-Perception and Faith

Joel emphasizes the importance of self-perception rooted in faith. He urges listeners to reject negative labels and limitations imposed by their environments.

Quote:
"Don't take on that defeated identity. That's not who you are. You're a masterpiece. You're made in the image of God." – Joel Osteen [17:25]

He encourages adopting affirmative statements to reinforce one's true identity, such as:

"I am blessed."
"I am the head and not the tail."
"My cup runs over."
"What I touch will prosper and succeed."

By doing so, individuals can shield themselves from the detrimental effects of negative environments and maintain a victorious mindset.

5. Overcoming the Enemy's Tactics

Joel warns against the enemy's strategy to undermine one's identity, highlighting that difficulties are not just obstacles but attempts to steal one's true self.

Quote:
"The enemy is not just trying to hinder your destiny, he's trying to steal your identity." – Joel Osteen [24:10]

He advises listeners to stay vigilant against adopting victim mentalities and to remember their divine worth and purpose.

6. Practical Steps to Maintain the Right Identity

To empower listeners, Joel outlines actionable steps to preserve their God-given identity:

Reprogramming Thoughts:
Replace negative self-talk with affirmations aligned with God's view of oneself.
Consistent Faith Practices:
Engage in regular prayer, reading scripture, and attending church to reinforce one's identity in God.
Surrounding Oneself with Positivity:
Associate with supportive individuals and communities that uphold and encourage one's true identity.

Quote:
"You need to shake off all those lies, break all those strongholds and start seeing yourself how God sees you." – Joel Osteen [28:50]

7. Conclusion: Embracing Your True Self

Joel wraps up the episode by reiterating that despite current trials, one's true identity remains secure in God's promises. He urges listeners to hold steadfast to their dreams and self-worth, confident that their time of breakthrough is imminent.

Quote:
"You are a prince in the prison, you're a prince in the pit, and you're a prince in the palace. The question is, will you keep your identity through the pit and through the prison?" – Joel Osteen [26:40]

He invites listeners to reaffirm their faith and identity through prayer, encouraging them to declare their worth and destiny in Jesus' name.

Final Encouragement and Invitation

As the episode concludes, Joel extends an invitation for listeners to deepen their faith journey by engaging with additional resources, such as Victoria Osteen’s book "Grace To Go," designed to help individuals move past obstacles and step into their destinies.

Quote:
"Grace is power. When you receive it by faith, it enables you to take the next step so you can become all you were created to be." – Joel Osteen [30:28]

Joel and Victoria close the episode with heartfelt prayers for their audience, reinforcing their commitment to supporting and uplifting their listeners in every aspect of their lives.

Takeaways

Maintain Faith in Your Identity:
No matter the circumstances, hold firmly to the identity God has bestowed upon you.
Use Biblical Examples as Inspiration:
Learn from figures like Joseph and David who exemplified unwavering faith in their divine identities despite adversities.
Embrace Positive Self-Perception:
Replace negative thoughts with affirmations that reflect your true worth and potential.
Stay Connected with Faith Communities:
Engage with supportive groups and resources that reinforce your belief in your destiny.
Actively Combat Negative Influences:
Recognize and reject attempts by external factors to diminish your self-worth and purpose.

By internalizing these lessons, listeners are empowered to navigate life's challenges without compromising their true identities, ensuring they remain on the path to their God-ordained destinies.

Transcript

Joel Osteen (0:01)

When work gets crazy, I like to.

Victoria Osteen (0:02)

Stop by the bar after have a few cold ones.

Joel Osteen (0:05)

I don't drink at all until 4 o'.

Unknown (0:08)

Clock.

Unknown (0:09)

We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.

Unknown (0:12)

Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink to Drink more@rethinkthedrink.com.

Unknown (0:28)

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Unknown (1:02)

Lets say your small business has a problem. Like maybe one of your doggy daycare customers had an accident. You might say something like doggone it.

Joel Osteen (1:13)

Hi Chihuahua. Holy schnauzers.

Unknown (1:15)

But if you need someone who can actually help, just say like a good.

Joel Osteen (1:19)

Neighbor, State Farm is there.

Unknown (1:21)

And get help filing a claim from your local State Farm agent for your small business insurance needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Joel Osteen (1:31)

Hi, this is Joel in Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry.

Unknown (1:37)

If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend?

Joel Osteen (1:41)

We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. It's great to be with you today and I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our Daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. I'd like to start with something funny and one Sunday morning, this pastor was in the pulpit preaching away when he noticed a man on the front row sound asleep. Made him so aggravated he started preaching louder and harder, but it seemed like the louder he got, the sounder the man slept. Finally he stopped in the middle of his message, said to the man sitting next to him, would you please wake that man up? The man said, wake him up yourself. You put him to sleep. Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly Confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus name. God bless you. I want to talk to you today about keeping the right identity. We all face situations that contradict who God made us to be. He's put dreams in our heart. We're standing on his promises, knowing that we're blessed, strong, healthy, favored. But sometimes the circumstances say just the opposite. And it's easy to let our environment change our identity. We know God calls us a masterpiece, valuable, fearfully and wonderfully made. But when we go through unfair situations, we're not treated right. People walk away, we can lose who we are. We let those circumstances change how we see ourselves. Now we feel inferior, not attractive, nothing special. We're adapting to the environment. Or God puts a dream in our heart to take our family to a new level, to set a new standard. We know we're a difference maker, we are well able. But the doors haven't opened. The dream didn't work out. Nobody supported us. Now, instead of seeing ourselves as victorious, successful, we let the environment determine our identity. We see ourselves as limited, at a disadvantage, too many disappointments. Here's the key. Your environment doesn't change who God created you to be. God says you're blessed, you're favored, you're healthy, you're free. Everything around you may say just the opposite. This is what faith is all about. You have to dig down deep and say, I am not going to let my environment define who I am. I am who God says I am. See? Maybe you're struggling in your finances, can't seem to get ahead. Stuck at that same level. If you take on that defeated, not enough mindset. You let lack and struggle become your identity. It'll keep you from rising higher. Lack may be all around you, but don't let it get in you. Don't start talking to feet. I'll never get ahead. Nobody in my family is successful. My business is not going to make it. No, in the midst of that struggle, your attitude should be, I am blessed. I am the head and not the tail. My cup runs over. What I touch will prosper and succeed. Don't let the environment define who you are. The fact is you are blessed whether you're in a great environment or whether you're in a limited environment. Well, Joel, I thought I'd be further along. I thought I'd be in management by now, but I'm still in the background. I thought I would have met someone. I'm still single. I thought I'd be free from this Illness. But I'm still dealing with it. I guess I'll always struggle. No, don't take that as your identity. Where you are is not who you are. The environment can change. One touch of God's favor can turn things around. The real question is, are you letting the environment change you? Are you taking on the identity of what's around you? The enemy would love for you to lose who you really are to where you see yourself as limited, not attractive, a victim. That wrong identity will keep you from becoming who you were created to be. You may be in an environment right now that contradicts what God promised you. The circumstances look just the opposite of the dream he put in your heart. That's a test. You can let it change you, adapt to the environment, water down your dream, or you can say, no thanks, my environment doesn't dictate my identity. I. I know who I am. I am blessed, I am valuable. I am strong, I am victorious. I am a child of the most high God. This is what Joseph had to do. He was 17 years old when God gave him a dream that he'd be in leadership. He knew he was going to do great things. He shared that dream with his brothers. They didn't like it too much. They were already jealous. Joseph was the youngest child and their father's favorite. And these brothers had traveled to a different city with their flocks to find food and pasture. After a few weeks, Joseph's father was concerned and sent Joseph to go check on them. When they saw Joseph coming, they thought this was their big chance to get rid of him. And they threw him into a deep pit, a well without any water. And they were going to leave him there to die when they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming. And instead they sold him as a slave. In Egypt, he worked for a high ranking military officer running his household, cleaning the rooms, mowing the lawn, doing repairs. Here he had this prophecy spoken over his life, this dream that he would lead a nation. But the environment contradicted what God promised him. The circumstances were the opposite of what he saw in his dream. He's not leading a nation. He's a slave. He's not telling people what to do. He's in captivity. No freedom in a foreign land. He could have gotten bitter, seen himself as a victim. God, I don't understand. But you never read where he complained, you never read where he slacked off. He didn't let the environment change his identity. All the circumstances said he was limited, at a disadvantage, never see his dream. But he kept Seeing himself as who God said he would be, as a leader, as a difference maker. When you face difficulties and things that are not fair, the enemy is not just trying to hinder your destiny, he's trying to steal your identity. If he can deceive you into letting your environment dictate who you are, how people treat you, disappointments, delays, if they cause you to see yourself the wrong way, limited, not valuable, unworthy, that will keep you from your purpose. He's not after your possessions, he's after your identity. If he can control how you see yourself, then he'll limit your future. When you're in a negative environment, do like Joseph. Don't let the environment get in you. You're not defined by your environment. Sometimes it's God leading you into difficulties, Sometimes God allows situations where people do you wrong. You have a great dream for your life. You know God has spoken to you, but you find yourself in a pit. How you see yourself in the pit will determine whether you stay in that pit or whether you come out better. God wouldn't have allowed it if he wasn't going to use it to move you into greater levels of your destiny in that pit. Don't take on a victim mentality. Don't let that bad break change your identity. You are a victor. You are an overcomer. You are more than a conqueror. You can do all things through Christ. Here's the key. The pit didn't change who you are. The environment didn't stop God's purpose for your life. Joseph was called to be the prince of Egypt. The fact is, he was a prince in a pit. That pit didn't change his calling. He was later put in prison for something he didn't do. He could have lost his identity. Thought man, I'll never leave now. I'm not only a slave, I'm a prisoner. No, the environment didn't dictate his identity. He was a prince in the prison. He knew he was who God said he was. Whether he was in the pit, in the prison or in the palace. You may have circumstances that you don't understand. You could feel like a victim. The medical report's not good. People did you wrong. A door closed on your dream. Can I tell you? You're a prince in the prison, you're a prince in the pit. And the good news is you're going to be a prince in the palace. Your time is coming. What God promised you is on the way. When the pharaoh, the leader of the nation, had a dream he didn't understand. He was told that Joseph. This prisoner could interpret dreams. The scripture says Joseph was brought quickly to the palace. God knows how to suddenly turn things around. He interpreted the pharaoh's dream. He made Joseph second in command of the whole nation. He became the prince of Egypt. But look at all the opportunities Joseph had to lose his identity. Lied about, betrayed, mistreated. When the butler got out of prison, he forgot all about Joseph. If he would have let his environment determine who he was, we wouldn't be talking about him. Like Joseph, we all have opportunities to lose who we really are. Go through a breakup, a divorce. Thoughts will start telling you you're not valuable, you're not attractive. Nobody wants to be around you. Don't take on that defeated identity. That's not who you are. You're a masterpiece. You're made in the image of God. You have royal blood flowing through your veins. God has crowned you with his favor. People don't determine who you are. They don't decide your worth and value. When your circumstances are saying just the opposite. You have to do like Joseph and say no. This pit didn't change who I am. I'm a prince in the pit. This prison didn't lessen my value. I'm a prince in the prison. Listen. My circumstances don't determine my identity. My God determines my identity. I am who God says I am. But sometimes we can take on the wrong identity. We let what's happened to us, what someone said. Mistakes we've made, how we were raised cause us to feel like a victim, not valuable. You used to have passion and believed for big things. But doors closed. You went through setbacks. Now you've lost who you are. The good news is you can get your identity back. You need to shake off all those lies, break all those strongholds and start seeing yourself how God sees you. You're a prince. You're a history maker. You're a barrier breaker. You are successful. You are talented. You are valuable. The dream God put in your heart is still on the way. Nothing that's happened to you has changed what God promised. The disappointments, the betrayals, the mistakes. You're still a prince. You're still victorious. You're still favored. And you're still going to become who God created you to be. I know a young woman that was raised in a very limited environment. She came from a dysfunctional family who her father was never around and her mother had addictions. All she had known growing up was poverty, defeat, compromise. That became her identity. She didn't know any better. She saw herself as limited. Not talented, not valuable. Often we adapt to the environment and we don't even realize it. It's what we've seen modeled growing up. It's how our friends and neighbors live that becomes how we see ourselves. At 16 years old, this young woman became pregnant. She had to drop out of school. Looked like that negative cycle would continue. She was living on welfare in government housing, raising her son. No future to speak of. But one day someone invited her to Lakewood. She started attending week after week. And she would hear us talking about how you have seeds of greatness and how you were created to live a victorious life. When you see yourself as God sees you, you can break barriers of the past. You can rise to new levels. As she reprogrammed her thinking, she began to take on a new identity. Instead of letting her environment dictate who she was, she started believing she was who God said she was. Blessed, talented, valuable, with a bright future. She got a job at the school cafeteria cleaning dishes, making minimum wage. While she was grateful, something on the inside said she was made for more. She could hear her destiny calling her. She didn't settle for the status quo. She went back to school and got her ged. She wasn't dissatisfied. She decided to go to college. She would work during the day and go to school at night. In four years, she graduated with honors. She still wasn't satisfied. She went back to school and got her master's degree. Today she's the principal at the same school where she used to work in the cafeteria. What am I saying? Don't let your environment dictate your identity. The truth is, she was a principal when she was washing dishes. She was a leader when she was in that dysfunctional home. She just didn't know it yet. On the way to your destiny, there will be environments that contradict what God has for you. Circumstances that are just the opposite of what you know are in your heart. You know God is restoring health back to you, but the report says you're not going to get well. You know you're going to start that business, but no. Doors are opening. You know you're going to meet the right person, but there's no sign of it. It's tempting to let what's not happening define who you are. I guess I'll always be lonely. I'll never get healthy again. I'll never be successful. Don't let that environment determine your identity. Those circumstances don't define you. Like this young woman. There are things in you that you haven't discovered yet. Your time is coming. The pharaoh is going to call. The doors are going to open. What God promised you is still on the schedule. Now don't get talked out of who you know you are. Don't let how long it's taking what you didn't get, who left you, convince you to lower your standard, give up on your dream and see yourself as limited, ordinary, not good enough. God's favor is on your life. He's called you for such a time as this. Sure, you have opposition. That's because the enemy can sense the greatness in you. He knows you're a person of destiny. He knows you're called to break barriers, to set new standards. He'll use adversity, bad breaks, dysfunction, to try to steal your identity. You may get thrown into a pit, but you have to remind yourself this pit didn't change who I am. I'm a prince in the pit, I'm a prince in the prison, and I'm a prince in the palace. The question is, will you keep your identity through the pit and through the prison? Will you not let the environment convince you that you must have heard God? Wrong man. This opposition is too big. I'm not that talented. I can't reach my dreams. It would have happened by now. Tune all that out and keep your mind stayed on what God says about you. I'm blessed, I'm talented. My future is bright. God. God is breathing in my direction. I will become all I was created to be. Think about David. The prophet Samuel came to his father's house to choose the next king of Israel. He saw David's seven older brothers, but he passed over all of them and he chose David. It was an amazing moment. David, the least likely one. His brothers were bigger, stronger, more experienced. But. But Samuel poured the oil on David. He was anointed the next king. What's interesting is David didn't go to the palace. He went back to the shepherd's fields. He was out there, week after week, month after month. He knew he was a king. He felt the oil running down his head. He heard the prophet declare it. But his circumstances said just the opposite. He was still out taking care of sheep, shoveling their waste, finding their food. I can imagine him at night, alone, no one to talk to, thinking, maybe I'm not a king, maybe Samuel was wrong. If I was going to do great things, why am I still stuck out here? The enemy knows. If he can steal your identity, convince you that you're not who God says you are, then he can keep you from your destiny. David's environment didn't line up with with the prophecies spoken over him. He had no one to lead, no one that looked up to him, no influence. But David understood this principle. My environment doesn't define who I am. My God defines who I am. God says I'm a king, so I'm going to have a king mentality. David led those sheep with excellence. He used his slingshot to protect those animals like he was protecting God's people. Others passing by didn't pay any attention. It's just that shepherd boy. No big deal. What they didn't know was he was a king in the shepherd's fields. His time was coming. One day he defeated Goliath and he was thrust into favor and influence that he had never seen. He became who God said he was. Don't let your environment talk you out of what God promised you. Keep seeing yourself as a king. And even though you're in the shepherd's fields right now, that's just a season. Keep seeing yourself as a principal. Even though you may be washing dishes, see yourself as a prince. Even though you find yourself in a pit, where you are is not who you are. Don't get bitter over a temporary season. Don't lose your identity over something that's going to change. This is where some people miss God's best. They get discouraged and they allow it to change who they are. I'll never step into leadership. I'll never expand my business, never see my family restored. I'm in a pit. You're right where Joseph was. I'm stuck at this same position. You're right where David was. I was raised in dysfunction. I've had bad breaks. You're right where that young woman was. You're letting a temporary season something that contradicts what God put in you to change who you are. You need to dig down deep and say, no, I'm not moved by the circumstances. I'm not bitter over the delay. I'm not upset with these brothers that threw me into the pit. None of these things are going to change who I know God made me to be. A friend of mine told how when he was six years old, the teacher gave the class an assignment. They had to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up. He had seen a man on television that was very funny. That was his dream as a little boy. He knew he wanted to be on television making people laugh. So he wrote it down. Well, he came from a low income family. They didn't have much. Plus he had a problem with Stuttering. The teachers started calling the kids names out and reading what they had written. When she came to his name, she stopped and said, little Stevie, please come up to the front. He started walking to the front of the class, so proud, thinking she was going to congratulate him was just the opposite. She said, stevie, what did you write? He said, I wrote that I want to be on television making people laugh. She said, now, Stevie, do you know anyone on television? He said, no, ma'.