The Power of "I AM": How Your Words Shape Your Destiny!

The words we speak have immense power. Whether we realize it or not, the words "I am" shape our reality. Every time you say "I am," you are inviting something into your life. The principle is simple: what follows "I am" will eventually find you. It’s a universal truth, as Pastor Joel Osteen explains, that your self-talk can either limit your potential or unleash it.

Manaah was a vibrant young woman who appeared to have everything going for her. She was intelligent, beautiful, and surrounded by a supportive family. When we visited her home, she was warm and engaging, with a personality that lit up the room. By all outward appearances, she had every reason to be happy. But as the conversation unfolded, I realized that Manaah didn’t see herself the way others did.

As we talked, Manaah began to speak about her frustrations and insecurities. She described feeling unfulfilled at work, comparing herself to her colleagues and concluding that they were more talented. She said things like, "I'm unattractive," "I'm unlucky," "I'm a slow learner," and "I'm always tired." In just a few minutes of hearing her speak, it became clear what was holding her back: her “I am” statements.

What follows the words "I am" will determine the course of your life. If you constantly say, "I am unlucky," or "I am unattractive," you are planting seeds of negativity that will bear fruit in your future. In contrast, when you declare "I am blessed," "I am strong," or "I am talented," you are inviting those very qualities into your life.

Words are like seeds. When you speak, you are giving life to whatever you say. Unfortunately, many of us unknowingly use the power of "I am" against ourselves. We make a mistake and say, "I am so clumsy." We look in the mirror and say, "I am so old." We see someone else’s success and whisper, "I am so average." Each time we do this, we reinforce a limiting belief about ourselves.

The truth is, whatever you attach to "I am" will come looking for you. When you say, "I am so clumsy," you invite clumsiness into your life. When you say, "I am so unlucky," you open the door to misfortune. The beauty of this principle, however, is that you have the power to change your life by changing your words. As Osteen emphasizes, we can send out new invitations by consciously choosing what follows our "I am."

Imagine waking up every morning and declaring, "I am blessed," "I am healthy," "I am talented," or "I am a masterpiece." When you speak like this, you invite blessings, health, and talent to come into your life. Even if you don’t feel these things right now, speaking them into existence begins to shift your mindset and, eventually, your reality. You begin to align with God’s vision for you.

In one of his sermons, Osteen shared the story of Sarah, who struggled with feelings of inadequacy because she couldn’t have children. For years, her inner dialogue was full of defeat: "I am a failure," "I am not good enough." It wasn’t until God changed her name to Sarah, meaning "princess," that her perspective shifted. By embracing her new "I am" – "I am a princess" – she invited a new reality into her life, and against all odds, she gave birth to a son at the age of 100.

Like Sarah, many of us let our circumstances or the words of others define who we are. But you are not defined by your limitations or by someone else’s opinion. You are defined by the words you choose. You are not your mistakes. You are not your failures. You are a unique creation, handcrafted by God, and there is nothing ordinary about you.

Most of us go through life thinking, "I’m just average" or "I’m just ordinary," but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You have a fingerprint that no one else has. There will never be another person exactly like you, not even if you have an identical twin. Your personality, your dreams, your skills—everything about you is one of a kind. You are an original, a masterpiece designed for a purpose.

This is not about arrogance or self-centeredness; it’s about acknowledging the truth of who you are. As Osteen says, when we declare "I am wonderful," "I am valuable," or "I am a masterpiece," we are not speaking out of pride but out of gratitude and faith in God’s plan for our lives.

In moments of difficulty, when things aren’t going your way, it’s tempting to talk about the problems. But as Osteen advises, don’t magnify the negative. When you complain about how bad things are, you give power to those problems. Instead, put a watch over your mouth. Turn it around and declare, "I am strong," "I am capable," or "I am excited about my future." These declarations invite hope, faith, and positivity into your life.

We can either speak life into our future or curse it. The choice is ours. As we go about our day, let us be mindful of the words we speak over ourselves. The next time you look in the mirror, instead of criticizing what you see, remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Speak with confidence: "I am beautiful," "I am successful," "I am exactly where I need to be."

You are not ordinary, you are extraordinary. You are not just good enough—you are more than enough. You are a masterpiece, created for greatness. Embrace it, speak it, and watch as the power of "I am" transforms your life.

Pastor Joel Osteen Explains ‘The Power of I Am’ | Super Soul Sunday S7E3 | OWN

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwtIATPEZvQ

In the interview with Pastor Joel Osteen on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey, Osteen expands on his book The Power of I Am, emphasizing the importance of the words we use to define ourselves and how they shape our experiences. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Power of Affirmation: Osteen explains that whatever follows the words "I am" will eventually find its way into your life. Positive affirmations like "I am strong" or "I am healthy" invite those qualities into your life, while negative phrases like "I am tired" or "I am unlucky" can perpetuate those experiences. It's about consciously inviting what you want through your words.
2. Aligning with God’s Purpose: Osteen believes that everyone is born with a specific purpose ordained by God. He states that God wouldn’t have given life to someone without a plan and destiny for them. This plan is unique for each individual, and speaking positively about yourself helps align you with that purpose.
3. Comparison Culture: The discussion touches on how social media has exacerbated a culture of comparison, where people measure themselves against unrealistic standards. Osteen advises against this, emphasizing that each person runs their own race and that fulfillment comes from recognizing and pursuing your unique path.
4. Contentment and Growth: Osteen stresses the importance of being content where you are, while still striving for growth. He explains that if you're not happy in your current situation, you may not find happiness when you achieve your next goal. Being at peace with where you are is essential for long-term satisfaction.
5. Surrounding Yourself with the Right People: Osteen discusses the importance of distancing yourself from negative influences and people who might hold you back. He argues that surrounding yourself with people who uplift you is crucial for fulfilling your destiny.
6. Personal Story of Overcoming Criticism: Osteen shares how he initially struggled with stepping into his father’s role as pastor after his passing. He faced criticism and self-doubt but realized that he needed to be true to himself rather than trying to imitate his father. This shift in mindset helped him find success in his own way.
7. Faith vs. Religion: Osteen draws a distinction between faith and religion. He believes that faith is a relationship with God, while religion can sometimes involve rules and politics. He prefers to focus on faith, which is about living in alignment with God’s plan.
8. God’s Grace and Forgiveness: Osteen concludes by discussing God’s grace, emphasizing that even when we make mistakes, God doesn’t turn away from us. Instead, He comes running toward us, offering forgiveness and new opportunities.

This conversation highlights the importance of self-talk, faith, and aligning one’s words and actions with a higher purpose.

The Power of I AM by Pastor Joel Osteen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEzztlpiCGY

The sermon by Pastor Joel Osteen, titled "I AM," emphasizes the power of affirmations and how the words we choose to describe ourselves shape our lives. Here are the key points:

1. The Power of "I AM": What you say after "I am" has the power to shape your reality. Positive affirmations like "I am blessed," "I am strong," and "I am healthy" attract success, health, and blessings into your life. Conversely, negative statements like "I am unlucky" or "I am unattractive" invite failure and dissatisfaction.
2. Self-Image and Words: Pastor Osteen encourages focusing on positive self-descriptions. People often sabotage their potential by reinforcing negative beliefs. Changing how we speak about ourselves can shift our mindset and transform our lives.
3. Example of Sarah: He uses the story of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, as an example. God changed her name, meaning "princess," to help her change her self-perception and fulfill His promise of bearing a child in old age. Changing her "I am" statements transformed her reality.
4. Choose Positive "I AMs": Osteen urges listeners to start their day with affirmations like "I am beautiful," "I am talented," and "I am God's masterpiece." These declarations invite success, beauty, and strength into one’s life.
5. Impact on Your Future: Osteen compares words to electricity, explaining that they can be used to create or destroy. He emphasizes the biblical teaching that life and death are in the power of the tongue.
6. Change Negative Narratives: He challenges listeners to stop repeating negative labels given by others and replace them with affirmations that align with God’s vision for them.
7. Final Call: The sermon concludes with a call to embrace faith, inviting listeners to make Jesus the center of their lives and to trust God for their future.

The message is centered around the idea that changing your self-talk from negative to positive can bring transformation and blessings into your life.

(Inspired by the teachings of Pastor Joel Osteen)

#Inspiration #Motivation #SelfLove #PersonalGrowth #PositiveThinking #Mindset #Empowerment #Success #Happiness #Confidence #BelieveInYourself