Bookish Weapon Number Sixty-Three

Joel Osteen is the most positive Pastor on the planet. Casey Treat might be a close second, but Joel has him beat I think. Joel’s newest book, “You Are Stronger Than You Think,” does not disappoint.

This book is for people who are having some difficulty in life. They might be in debt or just got fired or divorced. It is also for ay one who, as the subtitle says, want “to go bigger, go bold, and go beyond what limits you.”

Invite God Into Your Problems

This book is is not just for Christians, but for those that might be interested in Christianity too. I mention that because the book is full of God talk. One of the first things Joel talks about is not just praying to God to take away your difficulty, but to “invite God into your difficulties.”

I thought that was particularly powerful, because people get stronger not when they have no challenges but when they get through them. If you invite God into them you have a better chance of overcoming whatever it is you are up against. As Joel says, “When you ask Him to come in, you’re saying, “God, don’t just change the situation, change me. Help me to not just go through this but to grow through it. Help me to learn, help me to develop greater confidence, increase my faith, and let my character come up higher.”

Don’t Let The Darkness Discourage You

Joel points out that God started everything in the dark and he quotes Genesis: “The evening and the morning were the first day.” He says that, “God chase to start the day in the dark on purpose.” “The dark means the sun is on the way up. The promise is about to come forth.”

He tells the story of Paul praising God at midnight in the prison and he says, “…just keep thanking Him that He’s making a way where you don’t see a way, then you’re going to come into these times where God will suddenly show out in your life. He’ll make things happen you couldn’t make happen.”

Nevertheless

This is a powerful word and one that thought made Joel’s book more inspiring. When things come against you Joel says to not stop with the facts. The doctor report is not good, but “nevertheless” good will heal me. My finances are a mess, but “nevertheless” God will Mae me a lender snd not a borrower. Joel says, When you add “nevertheless” that’s what allows God to do great things.”

Another example, “God, everything tells me it’s over; that it doesn’t make sense in the natural. I have been turned down again and again; nevertheless, at Your word I am going to try again. I’m going to keep believing.”

Testing

This may be my favorite part of the book. He titles the chapter “The Hot Winds of Testing.” Joel lints out that “God never said we wouldn’t have an evil day, a time of trouble. But he did promise that if you just send He will bring you out.”

And here is a great quote from the book, “You can’t judge God’s favor by the storms He kept you out of, but by the storms he brought you through.” And another! “ Without these hot winds of testing, without storms, without difficulties, our lives would be easier, but we wouldn’t develop properly.’ The is so true. Think about all the people you know who have never had any serious challenges in their lives. What happened to them when they were in the middle of a pandemic? They had no resources to cope.

As usual there is much more n the book so get it and read it!