Pastor Joel Osteen Daily Devotional October 3 2023.

SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:22–23, NLT –He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News . . .

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV). You can’t love others if you don’t first love yourself. The best thing you can do for your family and friends is to be good to you, be kind to you, be merciful to you, be forgiving to you, be loving to you. You’re good to others, so why aren’t you good to you? You don’t criticize your friend, so why are you criticizing you? You compliment your coworker, so when was the last time you complimented yourself? You admire other people’s talents, so why don’t you admire your talents? Start being good to you. That’s not being selfish or arrogant; that’s loving yourself.

Too many people go through life being against themselves, feeling as though something’s wrong inside. I heard someone say, “I discovered the enemy. It was me.” Are you your enemy? Are you defeating yourself, limiting your dreams, sabotaging your relationships—all because you don’t like yourself? You have enough people and circumstances against you, so don’t be against yourself.

When you wake up in the morning, don’t lie in bed and think of everything you feel is wrong with you or what you don’t like about your looks. You don’t need to relive your mistakes. Why didn’t I finish college? I should have been more disciplined. I lost my temper yesterday. Those are toxic thoughts that will drain your strength, your energy, and your enthusiasm. Instead of focusing on what you think is wrong with you, start focusing on what’s right with you. You have weaknesses, you’ve made mistakes—we all have—but there’s a lot more right with you than there is wrong with you. Dwelling on the negative doesn’t help you do better. Beating yourself up for past mistakes doesn’t move you forward. The better you feel about yourself, the better you’ll do. The more you like yourself, the further you’ll go.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your incredible love, forgiveness, and compassion. I humbly ask for Your mercy to guide me to a place of self-compassion where I can forgive myself as You have so generously forgiven me. Help me to be at peace with myself so that I can nurture peace with my loved ones. I seek Your divine wisdom, Lord, to see myself as You see me. Let me remember that through Jesus, I am free, forgiven, and favored in Your eyes. Show me how to appreciate myself as the masterpiece You say I am, reminding me of the distinctive gifts and talents that You’ve given me. As I cultivate greater love and appreciation for all that You made me to be, guide me to share that love with others, living out the divine purpose You have planned for my life. In the powerful Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.