Joel Osteen Podcast: “Seeing Adversity The Right Way”

Host: Joel Osteen
Date: December 5, 2025
Episode Theme: Embracing adversity as a catalyst for spiritual growth, promotion, and the revelation of God’s favor in your life.

Episode Overview

In this message, Joel Osteen explores the concept of facing adversity through a lens of faith and expectation. He teaches that challenges are not meant to defeat us, but are often the very tools God uses to elevate us to new levels. Drawing from the biblical story of David and Goliath, personal anecdotes, and inspiring stories, Joel encourages listeners to maintain confidence, refuse defeat, and trust in God's purposeful timing—even when circumstances seem impossible.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adversity Precedes Promotion

• Main Point: Every time God is about to take you to a new level, adversity often appears as opposition, obstacles, or setbacks.
• Example: David’s confrontation with Goliath wasn’t a setback; it was his stepping stone to kingship.
• Quote:

  "David would only be known as a shepherd boy if it were not for Goliath. What looked like his enemy... was actually the tool God used to promote him." — Joel Osteen (03:31)

2. Goliath Moments Reveal Destiny

• God often allows or even orchestrates opposition to set us up for growth and visibility.
• Perspective Shift: Instead of being discouraged, view big problems as indicators of big destinies.
• Quote:

  "The size of your problem is an indication of the size of your future. If you have a big problem, don't get discouraged. That's a sure sign you've got a big future." — Joel (05:00)

3. You Are Equipped, Even When It Feels Inadequate

• David didn’t need impressive armor—his faith, a slingshot, and five stones sufficed.
• Modern parallel: You don’t need resources, connections, or approval to step into your calling.
• Quote:

  "You can defeat a giant with less equipment." — Joel (08:11)

Illustrative Story:

• A friend who launched a business with only $150 after being rejected by 31 banks. The 32nd bank said yes.
• Takeaway: Perseverance and faith open doors that seem impossible.

4. God Multiplies Little Steps of Faith

• Story from the Old Testament: Four lepers approached an enemy army—God amplified the sound of their footsteps, causing the enemy to flee in terror.
• Application: Take steps of faith, even if you feel outnumbered; God works supernaturally in ways you cannot see.
• Quote:

  "When you dare take some steps of faith, even when it looks impossible... God will take what you have and multiply it." — Joel (12:56)

5. What’s in Your Hand is Enough

• Reference to Moses: God used Moses’ staff—a simple stick—as a tool for miracles.
• Message: Don’t focus on what you lack; God can use whatever you have.
• Quote:

  "You have whatever you need. It may look like a rod, but if it needs to be a key to open a door, I'll turn it into a key." — Joel (16:24)

Modern Application:

• God can make your education, talents, or connections sufficient for your purpose.

6. Trust God’s Creative Power

• WWII Story: A lost Marine prays for protection; a spider spins a web at the cave entrance, fooling enemy soldiers into believing it’s unoccupied. The Marine realizes God can use anything to provide.
• Quote:

  "With you, a spider's web can be stronger than a brick wall." — Joel recounting the Marine's realization (18:56)

7. Problems are Matched to Destiny

• God doesn't match problems to your current capacity, but to your destiny.
• Encouragement to not run from problems but face them in faith.
• Quote:

  "God never matches the problem to your size. He matches it to the size of your destiny." — Joel (20:39)

8. Your Triumph Demonstrates God’s Favor

• When you overcome adversity, your life stands as proof of God’s goodness and anointing.
• Personal stories: Joel reflects on his mother’s healing and his own journey in ministry.
• Quote:

  "When you defeat a Goliath in your life, they cannot argue over the fact that God's favor is on you." — Joel (22:59)

9. Complete the Sentence with ‘But God’

• Biblical Example: David, overwhelmed by adversities, ends his lament with, “But you, O Lord, are a shield unto me, the glory and the lifter of my head.”
• Application: Never let the negative define the ending—always include God in your perspective.
• Quote:

  "Don't allow the enemy to have the last word. Always add the ‘but God’." — Joel (25:30)

10. Promotion, Confidence, and Bold Faith

• Call to Action: Embrace a victorious mindset, confess God’s promises, and trust Him to turn adversity into promotion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hidden Strengths:

  "When you know who you are and you know whose you are, and you realize that God has armed you with strength for every battle... you too can defeat a giant." (07:45)

• On Facing Insecurity:

  "Some people would say, no, that's not me. I'm all wrought up on the inside... It's much better to just stay in agreement with God." (14:36)

• On Family Adversity:

  "Sometimes in life we think, I can make it if my neighbor's against me… but when it's our own family... it's easy to think, God, this is just not right." (24:16)

• On Faith and Testimony:

  "Some people don't believe that God can still heal, but it's too late to convince me. I've already seen how God healed my mother of terminal cancer in 1981." (23:20)

• On Overcoming:

  "That challenge was never meant to destroy you. It was meant to promote you. The very fact that it's happening lets me know that your destiny is within reach." (27:35)

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:29 | Main Message Introduction — Facing Adversity | | 05:00 | “The size of your problem is the size of your future.” | | 08:11 | David defeats Goliath with less equipment | | 11:00 | Modern story: 31 banks say no, 32nd says yes | | 12:56 | Story of four lepers and “multiplied” footsteps | | 16:24 | Moses’ rod: What you have is enough | | 18:56 | WWII Marine and the spider’s web | | 20:39 | Problems matched to destiny, not your size | | 22:59 | “They cannot argue over the fact that God’s favor is on you.” | | 24:16 | When adversity comes from family — David and Absalom | | 27:35 | “The challenge was never meant to destroy you, but to promote you.” | | 29:24 | Invitation to faith and closing prayer |

Final Encouragement & Call to Action

• Joel closes by encouraging listeners to rise up in faith, see themselves as God sees them, and trust that every adversity is designed for their promotion rather than defeat.
• He leads a prayer for salvation and encourages joining a faith community for ongoing support.

Summary Takeaways

• Adversity is not a sign of defeat, but of impending promotion.
• God uses what you have, however small, and multiplies it for His purpose.
• Don’t base actions on how you feel—act on what you know from God’s Word.
• Always end your struggles with “but God”—expect His intervention.
• Your victories serve to encourage your faith and show others God’s favor.

If you receive it, can you say Amen? (28:45)