The Power of I Am by Joel Osteen

This was a book that was gifted to me by the person I bought my furniture. Joel is someone that I have admired and I’ve known to have incredible influence and appeal in various areas. After responding with, “I am blessed,” for a year I thought it was shirking that I would read this book at this time. I learned a lot and affirmed a lot of what I already knew.

The first thing that I highlighted in this book was Joel’s reminder of our true identity. We were all created by God. We are all ordained to fulfill our individual purpose because of who we are.

Pg. 11, Get in agreement with God. Know who you are and know who you are not. “I am not lacking. I am not average. I am not inferior. I am equipped. I am empowered. I am anointed. I am wise. I am a masterpiece.”

I think that the declarations Joel included for us to read daily are all excellent and powerful. We need to remain centered around who we are. If we forget who we are, we will not act in a way that betrays our true identity and doesn’t allow us to show we truly are. We are all God’s children and have incredible capabilities in God.

Pg. 13, Read over these declarations every day. Get them down in your spirit. Meditate on them. They may not all be true right now, but as you continue to speak them, they will become a reality.

“I am blessed. I am prosperous. I am successful.”

“I am victorious. I am talented. I am creative.”

“I am wise. I am healthy. I am in shape.”

“I am energetic. I am happy. I am positive.”

“I am passionate. I am strong. I am confident.”

“I am secure. I am beautiful. I am attractive.”

“I am valuable. I am free. I am redeemed.”

“I am forgiven. I am anointed. I am accepted.”

“I am approved. I am prepared. I am qualified.”

“I am motivated. I am focused. I am disciplined.”

“I am determined. I am patient. I am kind.”

“I am generous. I am excellent. I am equipped.”

“I am empowered. I am well able.”

“I am a child of the Most High God.”

I think this is one of the most important and valuable things that we can possibly do. We NEED to be aware. Not only does our subconscious accept anything it hears as truth, what we say will come into our life. The more you say negative things about yourself, the more negative and worse off you will become. In the same way, the more positive things you say, the better you will become (just remember to work hard also).

Pg. 25, All through the day you need to ask yourself, “Is what I’m about to say what I want to come into my life?” Because what you’re saying, you’re inviting in.

Angels go to work. Yes please. Put angels to work for something that God can use to glorify Himself. The words we say have incredible power and not just over us but over all the people around us.

Pg. 33, That’s what activates faith. Before you leave the house every day, declare it: “This is going to be my best year. Things have shifted in my favor. I’m going to a new level.” When you talk like that, the angels go to work, opening up new doors, lining up the right people, and arranging things in your favor.

We must confront any and all danger in the name of our Lord. God says that if He is for us, who then can be against us? Without action by us though, nothing happens. If never get out of the boat, God will never let us walk on water. If we never step into the Jordan, God will never part the sea so we can walk on dry land.

Pg. 44, Don’t talk about the mountain; talk to the mountain. Look at that mountain of debt and tell it, “You can’t defeat me. You’re coming down. I will lend and not borrow. My cup will run over.” Whatever mountains you face in life, no matter how big they look, don’t shrink back in fear or be intimidated. Rise up in faith and tell that mountain, “You’re coming down.” Tell that sickness, “You’re temporary.”

Remember who you are, remember your purpose, remember your value and make every moment count in a way that honors God.

Pg. 47, “I run with purpose in every step. My best days are still out in front of me. My greatest victories are in my future. I will become everything I was created to be. I will have everything God intended for me to have. I am the redeemed of the Lord, and I say so today!”

This was in reflection to the time he started pastoring. He did not think he was the man for the job after what his Dad did. But Joel has now been used as a vessel and brought so many to God. God will have you doing things that force you to look back and say, “Only God.” You will know that what had been done in your life can be done only by God.

Pg. 58, I would have thought, not me. I don’t have anything to say. But God knows what He’s put in you-the gifts, the talents, the potential. You have seeds of greatness inside you. Doors are going to open that no man can shut. Talent is going to come out of you that you didn’t know you had. God is going to connect you with the right people. He will present you with opportunities that will thrust you into a new level of your destiny.

EVERYTHING is negotiable. The only thing that lasts forever? God. So why value our lives so much? We are born, we live a temporary life filled with things God created and gifted to us. There is nothing we can do outside of God.

Pg. 63, The first place we lost the battle is in our own thinking. If you think it’s permanent, then it’s permanent. If you think you’ve reached your limits, you have. If you think you’ll never get well, you won’t. You have to change your thinking. You need to see everything that’s holding you back — every limitation, every addiction, every sickness — as only temporary. It didn’t come to stay; it came to pass.

Only God. What did I say? God will have us doing things that will force us to look back and say, “Only God.”

Pg. 67, In 2003, Lakewood signed a sixty-year lease with the city of Houston for our facility, the former Compaq Center, where the Rockets used to play basketball. Seven years later in 2010, the city was running low on tax revenue and decided to sell off some of their properties. They called and asked if we would be interested in purchasing the facility, and of course we were, but it depended on the price. Brand-new, a facility like ours would cost four hundred million dollars. The city ran its own independent appraisal. They got back to us and said, “We will see it to you, not for four hundred million dollars, not for two hundred million dollars, not for fifty million dollars, but for seven and a half million dollars!” Now we no longer lease. We own the property.

Remember my reflection from page 47. God created each of us for a unique purpose, an important purpose. Remind yourself. If you don’t know who you are, ask your Creator, God knows who you are.

Pg. 82, A lot of people in life have never been told who they are. They’ve had negative voices playing over and over. “You’re not talented. You’re not going to ever get married. You’ll never get out of debt. You’ve come from the wrong family.” As long as those voices are playing, it will keep you from your destiny.

In the same way, I believe we should love ourselves most. God loves us all unconditionally and equally, do you? I ask myself this often.

Pg. 96, Jesus said to love your neighbor as you love yourself. If you don’t love yourself in a healthy way, you will never be able to love others in the way that you should. This is why some people don’t have good relationships. If you don’t get along with yourself, you’ll never get along with others.

It’s essential that we always take responsibility and take action first. If we do not take action first, the other person may never take action. While change may still be slow once we do that, any change is better than no change. It’s up to us to do everything we can, always. I love what Brené Brown asked in her book, Dare to Lead, she asked us in relation to us thinking someone might not be doing enough, “what if they are doing the best they can?”

Pg. 106, Some situations will not change until we change. As long as we’re frustrated, stressed out, thinking, Why is it taking so long? Why am I still dealing with this problem? Why is my husband still aggravating me? Nothing will change.

“Don’t pray to get out of the desert — pray to get the most out of the desert.” — Dave Adamson

What if we viewed life with a different lense and saw the possibility and opportunity in everything? Each day, each opportunity, it’s a blessing. Even if we do not see everything that God will do through an experience, He will reveal that over time. As we confide in God for strength, He will do more for us than we could ever do on our own.

Pg. 111, Whether you’re abased or abounding, whether you’re in your dream house or a crooked-floor house, make the decision: “I’m going to be content. I’m going to enjoy my life. I’m going to be grateful for what God has given me. I’m going to be the best I can be right where I am.” It takes a mature person to be content on the mountaintop and content in the valley.

“With every blessing comes a great requirement.”

“Those who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much.”

“You reap what you sow.”

“The grass isn’t greener on the other side, the grass is greener where you water it.”

Pg. 116, Don’t pray for a bigger blessing if you’re going to complain about a bigger burden.

I love this explanation. There is no part of the body that is more important than another. Without all parts of the body, it will not operate well. Without a heart, the body will not work. Without a brain, the body will not work. As we are the hands and feet of God, we should be aware of what we can contribute and how God designed us.

Pg. 126, Here’s the point. The answer is that we’re all equally important. Without one, the whole thing wouldn’t function properly. Be secure enough to play your role.

But where God takes you, He will keep you. Where you force your way, you have to keep yourself.

When you’re not competing, not comparing, not trying to be something that you’re not, life gets a lot freer.

God has all power. God has already won. Jesus has defeated the devil and the devil is beneath us. I love the visualization here. Just remember what God has done for us already and is still doing.

Pg. 133, “If you want to say something to the enemy, write it on the bottom of your shoe, because he is under your feet.”

When you face an enemy, something that’s trying to keep you from your destiny — a sickness, a bad habit, an unfair situation — unlike those two fighters, you don’t stand toe-to-toe to look that enemy in the eye. That enemy is not at your level. It may have a big bark. It may seem so tough and so big that you can’t defeat it. But the truth is, it’s no match for you. For you to look that enemy in the eye, you need to look down under your feet. You are more than a conqueror. Greater is He, that’s in you than he that comes against you. The enemy has limited power. God has all power.

It’s all up to God. We cannot do it alone. We need God. Only God can do all things for us.

Pg. 137, But if you want God to make your enemy your footstool, you have to be still and know that He is God. When you’re upset and trying to force things to happen, God is going to step back and let you do it on your own. It takes faith to say, “God, I know You are fighting my battles. I know You will make my wrongs right. You promised it would work out for my good. So I’m going to keep my joy and stay in peace.”

God is the one who brings justice — not us. God will reward our hard work even if no one else does. Let’s not take matters into our own hands but control what we can and leave the rest up to God.

Pg. 138, I have a friend who worked for a company for many years. He always gave it his best, but for some reason the owner of the company didn’t like him. Even though the young man was bright and talented, the owner wouldn’t take his opinion, wouldn’t really give him the time of day. But as was true of Joseph, this young man didn’t get bitter or try to prove to everyone who he was. He just stayed on the high road and kept being his best day after day. Eventually his boss fired him.

This young man went out and started his own real estate company and became extremely successful. He never thought much about his former boss. He didn’t have any ill will toward him at all. But God is a God of justice. He doesn’t forget what you are owed. You may let it go, but God doesn’t let it go. He is going to make sure you get exactly what you deserve.

Several years later, his former boss was downsizing the company and needed to move into a new building. It just so happened that the building the boss really wanted was owned by this young man. When he walked in and saw the young man he had fired and knew that he was the owner and had to negotiate with him, he nearly passed out. Now the former boss treated the younger man with the utmost respect. He listened to every word that he said. Today that former boss is paying rent to the young man he once fired. That’s God bringing justice. That’s God making your enemies your footstool.

God fights for us. Isn’t that incredible? God is for us, “If God is for us, who then may rise against?”

Pg. 140, When you’re in peace, it’s a position of power. When you’re at rest, God is fighting your battles.

I know a man who was trying to get his wife to the United States. He is an American citizen, but his wife is not. She lives in Europe. He went to the government office to get a visa and the proper paperwork lined up. The man working behind the counter was very rude to him, wouldn’t give him any help at all, and made it very confusing. Several weeks later this man had his paperwork filled out and notarized. He went back to the office, and the man was just as rude. The other authorities had told him it would probably take six months to get her visa, but this man said, “No, no. It’s going to take at least five years. We’re all backed up. We’re not going to get to your paperwork for a long time.”

This man was very frustrated. He was even tempted to give the guy a piece of his mind. But instead, he just kept his cool, reminded himself that it was under his feet. By faith, he could see God setting the dinner table. Several weeks later, he got a call back from the man at the office, telling him that the visa was ready. He was so shocked. It was a miracle. He went to the office and said to the man, “I thought you said it would be five years?”

The man said, “It should have been. But ever since I met you, I can’t get you off my mind. I wake up thinking about you. I eat lunch thinking about you. I go to bed thinking about you. You’re making my life miserable. Take the visa and go!” Friend, God knows how to apply pressure. God knows how to make somebody uncomfortable. You don’t have to fight the battle. Stay on the high road and watch God make your enemies your footstool.

People cannot see God on earth, He does not reveal Himself. But, people can see God through us and we should be aware of that in all ways always.

Pg. 157, When you look good, it makes God look good. When you’re blessed, prosperous, and successful, it brings Him honor.

I realize that everything I have comes from God. Whether it is the suit that I’m wearing, my car, my house, or my resources, it’s God’s goodness. You don’t have to apologize for what God has done in your life. Wear your blessings well.

All we can do is all that we can do and only God can change hearts. God softened hearts in the Bible, He does it today, and we are not able to change others. It’s up to us to control ourselves and act in a way that is honoring of God in each and every situation — no matter how difficult it is. God always gives us strength if we ask for it.

Pg. 165, But their happiness is not your responsibility. Always be kind and respectful, but your attitude should be, if you don’t want to be happy, that’s fine, but you’re not going to keep me from being happy. I know this day is a gift, and I’m not going to live it trying to change things that I cannot change or trying to fix people who don’t want to be fixed.

Misery is optional. Failure does not mean that you have to feel like a failure; failure simply means that we must brush ourselves off and continue pressing onward toward the goal. God is in control and no matter what happens to us, He can redeem us, He is our redeemer.

Pg. 167, I’ve heard it said, “Disappointments are inevitable, but misery is optional.”

Start redeeming the time. Start thanking God that He’s in control.

We all go through the valleys, but the valleys are what lead us to higher mountains.

When you invest your time the right way in helping others, those seeds that you sow will create the harvest you need, not to just get out of the valley, but to come to a higher mountain, to come up to a new level of your destiny.

Wow. Yes. This is so true for so many areas of our lives, we just need to be honest and make the difficult decision sometimes.

Pg. 173, It’s better to make the change and be lonely for a season than to be poisoned for a lifetime.

Each and every day we have a choice. Will we be good to those who are disrespecting us or will we retaliate? An eye for an eye? Or will we turn the other cheek and remember who God is?

Pg. 194, Colossians 3:12 says, “God has given us the power to endure whatever comes our way with a good attitude.”

If you want to pass the test, you have to be good to people even when they’re not being good to you. You have to do the right thing when the wrong thing is happening. See it as an opportunity to grow.

This was an incredible example of things that will stop and slow down others but will never hold us back. God will lead us through anything, we simply need to hold tight to Him and do what honors Him.

Pg. 197, But God made the spider so that its body releases a special oil that flows down to the legs. That way it can just slide across the web. You could say the spider doesn’t get stuck because of the anointing that’s on its life.

When you walk in your anointing, knowing that you can handle anything that comes your way, things that should bring you down won’t be able to.

This is a struggle for me. I’m accustomed to doing things through what feels like my own strength because I haven’t been able to rely on other people. However, it’s essential to remember that God is not a person and is not going to be like people. God is trustworthy and unwavering, He is always there for us. God will do more for us than we could ever dream of doing on our own.

Pg. 213–214, Too often we are trying to do things in our own strength. It’s a struggle. No promotion. No increase. It’s weighing us down. We don’t realize that all we have to say is, “God, I need a fresh anointing. God, fill me with new strength, new ideas, new creativity, and new passion.” When you do that, God will breathe freshness into your life.

When you humble yourself and say, “God, I can’t do this on my own. I need Your help. I need Your favor. I need Your wisdom. God, I need a fresh anointing,” you’re showing your dependency on Him. When you acknowledge God in that way, He will give you wisdom beyond your years. He will help you accomplish things that you could have never accomplished on your own.

Instead of complaining about it, why don’t you say, “God give me a fresh anointing to overcome this challenge.” It’s the anointing that breaks the yoke.

God’s timing will not always align with what we expect or desire. But, God’s timing is perfect and ours is not. God is perfect and all-knowing and we are not.

Pg. 223, Sometimes we pray, “God, give me this promise right now. I’m uncomfortable. These people aren’t treating me right. Business is slow.” What we can’t see is that something is not ready. Maybe it’s another person who’s going to be involved. God is still working on them. Maybe it’s another situation that’s going to be a part of your destiny. It’s not in place yet. Or maybe God is doing a work in you, developing your character, growing you stronger in that process.

I felt this. God is going to reveal things to us, God is going to lead us to things, God is going to tell us to do things. Are we going to listen? We better, God is for us.

Pg. 246, You can run from the call. You can try to ignore it. But the frame around your life was put in place before the foundation of time. When God breathed His life into you, He framed your world.

I think people don’t always recognize this. But, we must help others solely for the sake of helping them and not with the goal or intention of helping ourselves.

Pg. 261, Reaching your highest potential is dependent on you helping someone else reach their potential. It’s like a boomerang. When you help somebody else rise higher, it always comes back to you, and you’ll rise higher.

Jesus commanded us to serve others. Are we doing so? I hope so. What matters is how God views us. This world will fade away but God never will. He was here when nothing was. God created everything and will be here forever, as He always has been.

Pg. 263, When you get down low to lift somebody up, in God’s eyes, you can’t get any higher.