The Power Of Encouragement | Victoria Osteen

Summary

Podcast Summary: Joel Osteen Podcast

Episode: The Power Of Encouragement | Victoria Osteen
Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Victoria Osteen (with Joel Osteen)
Theme: The Transformative Power of Encouragement—How Imparting Courage to Others Drives Personal and Collective Victory

---

Main Theme & Purpose

In this uplifting episode, Victoria Osteen explores the vital role of encouragement in the Christian life, illustrating how giving and receiving encouragement not only uplifts individuals but empowers entire communities to overcome adversity and fulfill their God-given potential. Through real-life anecdotes, biblical references, and memorable metaphors, she underscores that encouragement is not optional—it's a God-ordained strategy to withstand challenges and push back darkness.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Superhero Analogy

• Victoria opens by likening God’s desire for His people to that of superheroes: “God wants every one of us to be a superhero...not only for ourselves but for other people.” (04:44)
• She draws parallels between movie superheroes who rise after setbacks and Christians who show up strong for themselves and others.

Quote:

“He may fall, but he shows up strong. And I believe that God wants us to show up strong—not only for ourselves, but for other people.” (04:56, Victoria Osteen)

---

2. We’re Designed for Community, Not Isolation

• God’s creation intended us to need and support one another (“when God created man, he said, you need a helpmate...we were never designed to be alone”).
• Victoria cites Ecclesiastes (“two are better than one...one falls, the other’s there to pick him up”) and Hebrews 3:13:

  “Encourage one another daily.”

• The biblical mandate is for daily action, not just occasional kind words.
• Encouragement is protection: doing it together shields against “the deceitfulness of sin” (i.e., losing faith or hope).

Quote:

“Encourage each other daily so the deceitfulness of sin doesn’t harden our hearts.” (05:39, Victoria Osteen paraphrasing Hebrews 3:13)

---

3. Encouragement as Spiritual Warfare

• The enemy seeks to isolate and discourage believers (“He wants to deceive us. He wants us isolated...”).
• By actively encouraging each other, we “stand opposing the enemy’s deceit.”
• Victoria uses the analogy of the defensive line in football (referencing Christian Covington from the Texans) to illustrate how standing together blocks the enemy’s attempts to bring defeat.

Quote:

“When we stand together, locked arms, we don't let the enemy score on each other.” (07:23, Victoria Osteen)

---

4. What it Means to ‘Impart Courage’

• Encouragement means to make others brave and fearless; this is an act of imparting—not just sharing—courage.
• The effect of encouragement:
  • It builds internal strength.
  • It pushes back spiritual and emotional setbacks.
• Victoria employs superhero metaphors again (Wonder Woman, Superman) to talk about feeling empowered when encouraging others.

Quote:

“Every time I encourage somebody, I am slashing at the enemy. I am kicking him. I’m defeating him. I’m pushing him back.” (08:03, Victoria Osteen)

---

5. Practical Expressions of Encouragement

• Encourage family, friends, coworkers—even bosses (“Encouragement doesn’t mean they’re being nice...it means God impressed it on your heart”).
• Action, not just thoughts:
  • Intention isn’t enough; true encouragement is about acting on nudges to support others.
  • There is a “great exchange” in encouragement: as you give, you also receive.

---

6. Anecdote: The Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey (09:11–12:20)

• Victoria shares a story of a staff member who lost everything in Hurricane Harvey.
  • Paralyzed by discouragement, she couldn’t function—until a friend arrived “with a bag full of makeup,” exactly the kinds and colors she needed.
  • This small but personalized act reminded her of hope.
• Takeaway: Even small, thoughtful actions can transform someone’s outlook and restore courage.

Quote:

“Her friend that day was standing in the defensive line for her...used the power of encouragement to get her one step closer to her victory.” (11:23, Victoria Osteen)

---

7. Encouragement Changes Outcomes

• You can’t always change someone’s circumstances, but you can change their heart.
  • “It’s not what happens to you, it’s what happens in you that makes the difference.”
• Citing the Israelites (Exodus 6:9) as being too discouraged to heed God’s promises.
  • Discouragement can keep people from hearing or receiving hope.

Quote:

“Don’t allow anyone around you to be discouraged—because we are here to tell people about the God of the possible.” (14:02, Victoria Osteen)

---

8. Mutual Benefit & The Science Behind Encouragement

• Studies show encouraging others provokes a positive emotional response (dopamine release), making you happier and more uplifted.
• Being encouraged enables you to then encourage yourself—referencing David in the Bible who “encouraged himself in the Lord.”

Quote:

“When you encourage people, it literally releases dopamine in your brain and makes you happy...you can go and help other people.” (14:48, Victoria Osteen)

---

9. A Daily Practice—Encouragement as a Way of Life

• Victoria calls listeners to pray for opportunities to encourage at least one person daily.
• Suggests encouragement need not only be words—it can be thoughtful actions, presence, or practical help.

Quote:

“Ask God: Give me somebody every day, God, that I can have an exchange with, that I can encourage in a meaningful and profound way.” (15:38, Victoria Osteen)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Courage and Connection:

  “We have to be superheroes...I feel like Wonder Woman...slashing at the enemy.” (08:03, Victoria Osteen)

• On the Power of Small Acts:

  “Sometimes encouragement is just simply showing up with a broom and a mop or a bag of makeup.” (15:22, Victoria Osteen)

• On Perspective:

  “Not what happens to you, it’s what happens in you that makes the difference.” (12:54, Victoria Osteen)

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:44 | Superhero analogy: God wants us to be strong for ourselves and others | | 05:39 | Hebrews 3:13—encourage each other daily; the spiritual purpose behind it | | 06:32–07:23 | Football/defensive line analogy: standing together to stop the ‘enemy’ | | 08:03 | Empowering metaphor: feeling like Wonder Woman by encouraging others | | 09:11–12:20 | Hurricane Harvey anecdote; the transformative power of thoughtful, personalized support | | 14:02 | Not letting others be discouraged—“We are here to tell people about the God of the possible” | | 14:48 | The emotional and psychological benefit of encouragement | | 15:38 | The call to daily action—asking God for someone to encourage |

---

Summary & Call to Action

Victoria Osteen powerfully reframes encouragement—not as a casual nicety, but as a divine mandate and a potent weapon in spiritual and personal battles. By lifting others up, you strengthen yourself, halt negative momentum, and embody God’s character to the world. The episode closes with a clear, actionable invitation:

• Pray daily for someone to encourage.
• Be alert for even small ways to impart courage—with words, presence, or practical support.
• “Let’s push back darkness with our encouragement.” (15:55, Victoria Osteen)

Listeners walk away reminded that every Christian is called to join God’s “defensive line,” ensuring that no one faces life’s challenges alone.

---

For more inspiration, visit joelosteen.com.

Transcript

[A]

Your new home is now ready. Dr. Horton, America's Builder has new homes that are ready today. With new construction communities in Ellensburg and throughout the Greater Seattle area. Dr. Horton has the right home for you. At Dr. Horton, we're still building with flexible living spaces, smart home technology and two and three car garages. More communities and more homes available every day. Find your new home in Ellensburg now ready at Dr. Horton.com Dr. Horton America's builder and equal housing opportunity builder.

[B]

When it comes to gifting, everyone on your list deserves something special. Luckily, Marshall's buyers travel far and wide, hustling for great deals on amazing gifts so you don't have to. That means your mom gets that cashmere sweater, your best friend that Italian leather bag, your co workers unwrap their favorite beauty brands, and your nephews the coolest new toys. Go ahead. At prices this good, you can grab something for yourself too. Marshalls we get the deals. You you gift the good stuff. Shop [e-mail] or find a store near you.

Whether you're gifting, decorating or treating yourself. Lowe's December deal drops are here to help you save more all month long. Get up to 50% off select holiday decor plus get up to 45% off select tools and accessories. Shop new December deal drops every week this month and get so much more out of your holidays. Lowes we help you save. Selection varies by location while supplies last.

[A]

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

[B]

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

[A]

We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life.

[B]

You guys sound good as usual. I believe that God wants every one of us to be a superhero. See, God wants us to be fearless and courageous. He wants us to be like the ones you see in the movies. You know how they are about. Like the time the enemy gets ahold of them, they fall down. He's got them in the gridlock. That superhero turns around and swirls around and before you know it, he's defeating the enemy. Or he comes out of nowhere. You know, you don't know what happened to him. He comes out of nowhere and shows up strong. On the scene you see, he may fall, but he shows up strong. And I believe that God wants us to show up strong. He wants us to show up strong not only for ourselves but for other people. He wants us to be a superhero. And as we were singing together, that's how we're going to become this superhero powerhouse for almighty God. It's only going to come when we do it together. You see, we're not islands among ourselves. We were not intended to be alone. When God created man, he said, you need a helpmate. You need someone who's going to link arms with you. You need someone that can help you move forward, perpetuate my kingdom. You see, we were never designed to be alone. The scripture says that two are better than one. Because when one falls, the other's there to pick him up. You see, we are going to defeat the enemy. We are going to move forward when we're linked arms, doing it together in Hebrews 3:13. Listen to what it says. It says to encourage one another daily. Now that sounds great, doesn't it? Boy, you look good today. Oh, I like that presentation at work. Well, you're so pretty. We should do that, shouldn't we? We should encourage each other daily. That's what God says. Encourage each other daily. You know, God formed us in our mother's womb. He made us, and he knows how we operate. You see, we have instructions on how to operate to our highest potential and performance. And we can find them in the word of God. So he says, encourage each other daily. Now listen to the rest of that verse, because this is the weighty and meaty part of the verse, you see, if you just encourage. That's great. You'll do it if you want to. If you think about, maybe I should go over and see my grandmother today, but I really don't have time. I've got a lot of things to do. We don't take encouragement as seriously. But listen to this part. This is what God was saying would happen when we stand together, link arms and encourage each other daily. It said to encourage each other daily so the deceitfulness of sin doesn't harden our hearts. There's a weighty promise right there. When we stand together, guess what? We stand opposing the enemy's deceit. He wants to deceive us. He wants us isolated. He doesn't want us to have the support that we were designed to have. See, God says, if you will encourage, you will be encouraged. If you will encourage, you can stand against the enemy for someone else. See, sometimes when you need encouragement, it's hard to stand against the enemy. When you're discouraged, it's hard to stand against the enemy. I've seen people get so discouraged, so down, so defeated, they couldn't even think straight. You know, when you're discouraged and down and defeated, that is the Time that the enemy wants to come in and have a heyday in your mind. He wants to tell you that you're not good enough. That you can't do it, that you'll never get well, you might as well quit trying. You see, when you're down and discouraged, that's when the enemy can come in. But. But when you have people around you that are willing to take this script seriously and say, I'm not gonna let them get down because I have the power to stand against the enemy for them. You see, isn't it interesting that God said our encouragement, our encouragement can stand against the enemy. Christian Covington was here earlier in the 8:30 service. I looked over at him and he's huge. He plays for the Texans. Do y' all know Christian Covington? All right. Well, he's huge. And I thought, well, that's what we look like on the inside.

Big. Kind of like John Boy here. John Gray Boy.

Big and strong. That's what we look like on the inside. I was thinking about how when Christian Covington and his team, they play on the defense. Don't ask me positions. I just know they play on the defense. I also know that the defensive line is there to stand together so that the other team, the opponent, cannot score on their team. I do know that much about football. You would be proud of me. But the way they do it is they stand together. They know each other is right there and they're not gonna let their opponent score. Do you know, when we stand together, locked arms, we don't let the enemy score on each other. He cannot score.

See, encouragement means to impart courage. It means to make fearless. Make brave. Impart courage. That's what God is saying. Impart courage to one another. Because, see, the enemy wants to discourage. He wants to take our courage. He wants to subtract from what God is doing in our life. See, we have to stand together. We have to be superheroes. When I look at Hebrews 3:13 in this light, I feel like Wonder Woman.

I think, you know what? Every time I encourage somebody, I am sorry, Slashing at the enemy. I am kicking him. I'm defeating him. I'm pushing him back.

You ever see Wonder Woman? You can be Clark Kent. If you're a guy, step in the phone booth and come out Superman. But that's the truth. I really believe that. I believe if we understand the power of encouragement, we're going to be empowered to encourage, listen, encourage your family, encourage your children.

Encourage that co worker, encourage your boss. Hey, encouragement doesn't Mean, they're being. You encourage them because they're being nice to you. You encourage them because God is impressing on you that if you'll do that, you can stand on that defensive line. And I really believe when he says encourage one another daily, that means there's a great exchange that takes place. See, if every one of us would encourage someone daily.

What would this world look like? How strong would we really be? See, we can think a lot of things. We can think a lot of encouragement. We can think about doing a lot of things. But it's not until we stand strong and take action and begin to impart courage to each other that things will change. You see, you can't do anything about someone's situation. I was talking to a staff member the other day. Hurricane Harvey, five feet of water in her home came rushing in. Her family had to leave. Her family, her children, they had to leave immediately. She left with nothing. When they got themselves settled into a place of dry ground, and the reality started settling in they. That they had just lost all their material possessions in their home, everything, she was devastated. She said, I was so discouraged. I was so overwhelmed. I felt numb and I couldn't even move. My husband, being the head of the house, couldn't believe that he had just lost everything. And how was he gonna rebuild his family's life? He looked at her and he said, we gotta get out of this state. We have got to get out of this situation in our mind, this atmosphere of defeat. We go to the church and help out. We were people, volunteers all over the place, distributing, doing what they could do. She said, I simply sat there thinking, I can't. I don't even know what to think. I have no makeup. I have not even a hair tie to tie my hair back with. I don't want to go. Then she began.

To. To put a smile on her face and said, about that time, a friend of mine showed up, showed up with a bag full of makeup. She said, not only did God tell her the color foundation that I wore, she brought all the extras. The mascara, the blush and the lip gloss. See, that's something that only a woman can appreciate.

You see, her friend that day.

Was standing in the defensive line for her. See, her friend that day allowed God to breathe life back into her soul. She was discouraged. She was overwhelmed. But that friend used the power of encouragement to get her one step closer. Her victory, one step closer to her victory. She said she put that makeup on, went to her husband and said, I'm ready than ever to go. I'm as ready as I'll ever be. You went to the church and began to help other people. I saw her yesterday. If you looked at her, you wouldn't know that what she'd been through. You wouldn't know that she was fighting the good fight of fate. Because she said, every day God said, someone show up to bring me courage and encourage my heart. You see, the enemy wanted to defeat her. He wanted to get her thinking going in the wrong direction. Because, see, if he can get your thinking going in the wrong direction, he can get your life going in the wrong direction. And that's what discouragement does. It gets your life going in the wrong direction. Hey, as far as it's up to us. We can't let those around us see discouragement or be discouraged. Cause we're the church of the living God. We are the superheroes for God Almighty.

You see, we could not do a thing about her five foot of water in her home, right? I mean, we couldn't change that situation. I heard it said like this. Not what happens to you, it's what happens in you that makes the difference. And because she had a friend that day encourage her and impart courage. The thing that the enemy wanted to do did not happen in her. It didn't happen in her. You see, her friend gave her that courage to keep her heart soft, to believe that God had possibilities, that it could be better than ever, that she could get up again and move forward. That's what encouragement does to us. The Israelites, in Exodus 6, it says they were too discouraged to believe. They couldn't even hear the words of Moses when God was trying to tell them what he wanted to do for them. Because they were so deep and buried, buried under discouragement. They could not even hear about the God of the impossible.

Don't allow anyone around you to be discouraged. Because we are here to tell people about the God of the possible. They don't have to lose hope. Because we serve the God that can do anything. If we will stay encouraged and continue to impart courage, I truly believe that that exchange works two ways. We will also be encouraged. When you encourage, you'll be encouraged. When you're encouraged, you'll be strengthened to encourage yourself. Do you know there's studies that say when you encourage people, when you help someone, that it is a. An emotional high that literally releases dopamine in your brain and makes you happy. You see, it empowers you. And when you're empowered with this emotion of happiness, then you can go and help other people, when you're empowered with emotion of happiness, you can help yourself. Because see, I truly believe there will be days that we have to encourage ourselves, just like David. But God wants us to get good at encouraging others and encouraging ourselves. Because those days that we can't, he'll provide just like my friend. You know, sometimes encouragement is just simply showing up with a broom and a mop or a bag of makeup.

You see, we need to encourage not only with our words, but with our actions. Ask God. Give me somebody every day, God that I can have a exchange with, that I can encourage in a meaningful and profound way. If we will all ask God to give us that one person, put that one person on our heart, whether it's your child, your husband, your friend, your co worker, your boss. I believe that God will do things in our life that we can't even ask, think or imagine. Amen. Let's push back darkness with our encouragement.

[C]

What if every plan you set, every habit you formed, and every decision you made became a pathway to see God move in your life?

[A]

We all have hopes and dreams, things we're believing for when you start the year in faith expecting God's goodness, you are setting the tone for a blessed new year and we'd love to send you our 2026 faith for today planner. You can write down your dreams and goals and plus use it for your everyday activities and reminders.

[B]

It's important to feed your faith on a daily basis. This planner. It's not just a calendar. It's filled with scriptures and inspiration to help you stay encouraged and keep believing for what God has put in your heart.

[A]

2026 is your year to see the goodness of God in greater ways, let go of what didn't work out and get ready for the new things God has in store.

[C]

As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount this month, we would like to send you a copy of the 2026 Faith for Today Planner. Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement, a guiding scripture to stand on, room to write your goals, prayers and vision. Space for faith steps because faith isn't passive, it's active. A monthly QR code linking to a message or video to keep your spirit lifted. With the 2026 faith for today Planner, you'll be reminded that living by faith makes room for God to do what only he can do. Breakthrough in your business. God's healing touch Loved ones returning to faith. Request your copy of the planner and step into the New year with bold faith, fresh hope and daily encouragement to strengthen your spirit and face every challenge with confidence.

[A]

No matter what's happening around you, faith can rise up in you. Keep believing and expecting a blessed 2026 Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special year end gift to help keep the ministry strong. We so appreciate all the Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas till we see you next time. May the Lord bless you and keep.

[C]

Be sure to request your copy of the 2026 Faith for Today Planner, visit jolostein.com or call 888-567-joel for a special year end gift. This month we are also offering the Faith to Share bundle. Keep one Give one Give the gift of faith, focus and fresh hope for someone special in your life. You can also request the the God's Word Work Study Collection. This empowering collection includes the niv, the Message Parallel Bible, a beautifully crafted leather bookmark and pen, and how to read your Bible and enjoy it. Along with two planners, you can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-Joel or logging on to jolostein.com today. Call or click anytime time 24 hours a day. Stay organized, encouraged and full of faith all year long. Request these resources today.

[B]

Hi, I'm Jenny Slate and believe it or not, someone is allowing us to have a podcast. I'm Gabe Wiedman. I'm Max Silvestri and we've been friends for 20 years and we like to reach out to kind of get advice on how to live our lives.

[C]

It's called I need you guys.

[B]

Should I give my baby fresh vegetables? Can I drink the water at the hospital?

[C]

My landlord plays the trombone and I.

[B]

Can'T ask him to stop. You should make sure that you subscribe so that you never miss an episode.

Just in thousands of winter arrivals at your Nordstrom rack store, save up to 70% on coats, slippers and cashmere from Kate Spade New York, Vince Ugg, Levi's and more. Check out these boots. They've got the best gifts. My holiday shopping hack Join the Nordic get an extra 5% off every rack purchase with your Nordstrom credit card. Plus buy it online and pick it up in store the same day for free. Big gifts, big perks. That's why you rack dermatologists have long highlighted the benefits of indoor humidity for healthy, glowing skin. Dry air can start damaging your skin in just 30 minutes. That's where canopy humidifier comes in. Recommended by leading dermatologists, the Canopy Humidifier is a completely reimagined humidifier with invisible clean moisture, the best kind for your skin. Go to getcanopy.co to save $25 on your purchase today with Canopy's filter subscription. Even better, use Code Serious to save an additional 10% off your canopy purchase. Your skin will thank you.