Journey of a Thousand Miles

by Joel Osteen Most criticism is based out of jealousy and a competitive spirit. The more successful you are, the more criticism you encounter. Not everyone will celebrate your successes with you. Our successes draw out their jealousy. This isn't about you; it's on the inside of them. Until they deal with it, it will keep them from rising higher. God sends us tests to see if we can be happy for others' successes. Learn to celebrate others' victories. If God did it for them, God can do it for you. There are going to be people who try to bring us down with their words. Don't seek revenge or stoop to their level. Shake them off. You never win by sinking to their level. Rise above them! Don't let their jealous spirit bring you down. Don't live to please everyone. It's impossible to please everyone. Some people will always find fault no matter what you do.  Love those negative people from a distance! Accept that not everybody is going to like...

We can significantly influence our wellbeing and others' by our tongues. What comes out of our mouths reflects what's in our heart. Influence others for GOOD through our words. God is glorified and others are blessed. Don't manipulate others for selfish gain. Lying is always caught and punished. Hatred and lying go together. It's a movement away from relationship. Bearing false witness- giving a wrong impression about someone. Refuse to defend someone who is being gossiped about. Pass judgement on someone's intentions or motives. Exaggerate the truth- ruins our credibility. People will take your words with a grain of salt. Avoid slander- destroy their reputation. Gossip- exposes an unfaithful spirit towards the one being gossiped about. Ruins friendship. We prove ourselves untrustworthy when we listen or dish gossip. Gossip always destroys bonds. Stirs up relational trouble. Flattery- compliment builds up, but flattery has an agenda. They are self-ce...