Joel Osteen Live Service 12 September 2021 at Lakewood Church

It’s easy to think, “When I get out of this challenge, I’ll be my best. When this pandemic is over, I’ll pursue my dreams.” Don’t wait for things to turn around and then you’ll have a good attitude. Don’t put your dreams on hold. God wants to prosper you in the difficulty. When things aren’t improving, you have to be your best right where you are. When God sees you giving your all, still pursuing your goals, still serving, giving, and excelling, He may not bring you out of the challenge when you thought, but He will cause you to prosper in the challenge.

We love the Scripture: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11). It’s interesting He spoke these words right after King Nebuchadnezzar had taken the Israelites out of Jerusalem as captives and sent them to Babylon. Now the Israelites were living there in exile, not able to go home. Their whole world was turned upside down in disappointment. I’m sure they were praying for a deliverance, but the word of the Lord came saying that they were going to be there for seventy years.

At a time when the Israelites were about to give up on their dreams, God said, “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat the produce. Give your daughters in marriage. Increase in number; do not decrease. Prosper in the land in which you are in exile.” God didn’t say, “I’m going to get you out of Babylon and back to Jerusalem so I can prosper you.” He said, “I’m going to prosper you in captivity, in disappointment, while you’re dealing with loss. But you have to take steps of faith–build, plant, marry, pursue new goals. Be proactive, look for opportunities, shine at work, be a blessing wherever you go. You’re going to be there for a while, but I have plans for you, to prosper you and give you hope and a future.”

Life may have thrown you a curve. Perhaps you feel like you’re in exile. You’re facing a disappointment, a breakup, a big setback. You feel like giving up. No, get your passion back. You’re not alone in captivity. The Creator of the universe is right there with you. If you’re going to reach your highest potential, you have to keep doing the right thing when the wrong thing is happening. It’s all a part of His plan. Keep believing, keep dreaming, keep growing. Your time is coming. You’re about to see uncommon favor that catapults you ahead, dreams coming to pass, negative situations turning around, and new levels of your destiny.

Joel Osteen Live Service 12 September 2021 at Lakewood Church