Well-known evangelical pastor Joel Osteen often shares inspiring words to the thousands who come to hear his sermons every week at the Lakewood Church in Texas.
The 51-year-old — who also made the New York Times bestseller list for his book Your Best Life Now — sends messages of faith as well as positive memos on living life.
"My message is that God is a good God," Osteen told Barbara Walters when he made her list of the 10 Most Fascinating People in 2006. "And if we all … have the right attitude, he'll take us places that we've never dreamed of."
Also dubbed “the smiling preacher,” the married father of two has a great obligation since he’s the head of the largest church in the nation. Although he’s been criticized by many for some of the words he preaches — especially those about striving for prosperity — Osteen told Oprah Winfrey in an interview that he doesn’t have to answer to anyone but God.
See 12 of his greatest quotes about living a better life below.
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1. “You're going to go through tough times — that's life. But I say, 'Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.' See the positive in negative events.”
2. “Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.”
3. “Bottom line: God will not allow any person to keep you from your destiny. They may be bigger, stronger, or more powerful, but God knows how to shift things around and get you to where you're supposed to be.”
4. “When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.”
5. “If we say it long enough eventually we’re going to reap a harvest. We’re going to get exactly what we’re saying.”
6. “You may think you’ve got a long way to go, but you need to look back at how far you’ve already come. You may not be everything you want to be but at least you can thank God that you’re not what you used to be.”
7. “We may get knocked down on the outside, but the key to living in victory is to learn how to get up on the inside.”
8. “Every day is a gift from God. There’s no guarantee of tomorrow, so that tells me to see the good in this day to make the most of it.”
9. “I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you’re grateful, you’ll see God open up new doors.”
10. “Take your dreams and the promises God has put in your heart, and every day declare that they will come to pass.”
11. “It’s good to have a big picture outlook, to set goals, to establish budgets and make plans, but if you’re always living in the future, you’re never really enjoying the present in the way God wants you to.”
12. “It’s vital that you accept yourself and learn to be happy with who God made you to be. If you want to truly enjoy your life, you must be at peace with yourself.”
