How do you start your day? Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church starts his by flushing out all negative thoughts from yesterday to welcome in God's blessings.
"The way we start the day is so important. Every morning when we wake up, we need to make sure that we 'empty out' anything negative from the day before," he wrote on his blog. "If someone offended you at work, if they didn't treat you right, it's easy to let that offense linger."
Osteen added that people feel "justified" when they carry around a grudge. But for people to claim all of God's promises, they have to be disciplined and learn to tell themselves: "No, I am not giving this offence any room. I am not going to let it sour my day."
Yes, people get hurt and offended by others, but Osteen said it's not a good enough reason for them to keep holding on to the offence. "When you are offended, it's not harming anyone else but you. It's taking up the space in your heart and head that you need for the good things that will move you toward your destiny," he said.
For people who aren't dealing with offences but are plagued with worries — such as debt, health concerns, and relationship woes — Osteen told them not to make the mistake of dwelling on worry. These negative thoughts will try to invade one's mind, but people need to rise above it and just say: "No thanks, I know God has me in the palm of His hand. He'll get me to where I'm supposed to be."
"Remember, every day take inventory of what you're giving headspace to. Life is too short to go around with negative things holding us down," said Osteen. "Instead, set your mind on things above. Let go off the weights that would keep you down and press forward to the blessings He has in store for you!"
