Pastor Joel Osteen says there are many things in life that will push people inside a box and limit their abilities, pointing out that the secret to success is going past these limitations and becoming a barrier breaker.

On his blog, Osteen shares a story about a bunch of fleas that were placed inside a container with a lid on top. At first, the fleas tried to fly out and repeatedly hit the lid. After several failed attempts, the fleas realised they were stuck and therefore gave up. When the lid was finally removed, the fleas did not even bother to fly out because they have completely given up on the idea of escaping.

"Sometimes, like these fleas and because of the environment we're in, we've become conditioned to think, 'I can't do anything great; I'll never accomplish a dream; I'll never get back into shape.' It may not have happened in the past. You may have tried and hit that lid a few times, but the lid is coming off! It's time to try again. You were not created to live contained, to get stuck. Recondition your mind," writes Osteen.

He says naysayers would want to pull people down. They would discourage others from starting their own business, dreaming about a nice place to live in, recovering from an illness, or even finding true love. But once people make up their mind to overcome all these negative things, Osteen guarantees them that they will enjoy greatness.

"Today, take the limits off! It's time for you to try again. You have so much potential," he says. "God has created you to be a light shining on a hill. He wants people to see you and what He's done in your life so that it brings Him glory. He wants to draw people to Himself through you. If you've been down, get back up. Press forward because it's time for you to break free and embrace all that He has in store for you!"