Read Textual Sermon from Joel Osteen
David understood this principle—I'm underestimated, and that's okay. It doesn't hurt my feelings; I'm not offended. They can't see what's in me. The odds may be against me, but I know God uses underestimated people. This is setting me up for a new level of my destiny.
It's great to be with you today, and I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, and social media. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired.
I'd like to start with something funny.
One day, up in heaven, Satan and Jesus were having a contest to see who was better at computers. After six hours of making spreadsheets and designing web pages, a thunderstorm knocked the power out. When they rebooted their computers, Satan started screaming, "It's all lost! All my material is gone!"
Meanwhile, Jesus quietly walked over, printed his out, and turned it in.
Satan complained, "It's not fair! He must have cheated! How come he didn't lose his material?"
God smiled and said, "Jesus saves."
Say it like you mean it: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess: my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be the same, in Jesus' name. God bless you.
I want to talk to you today about being underestimated.
We all face times when what we're up against is too big for us. The dream is too great, the problem too strong, the opposition too powerful. People rule us out and think it's never going to happen. "You don't have the resources. You don't come from the right family. The medical report is not good." All the facts say it's impossible.
But God, on purpose, will have you underestimated.
When it seems the least likely, that's when He shows up the greatest. Don't get discouraged when you're underestimated—it's a setup. God put you in that position to show Himself strong. When you defy the odds, everyone will know His favor is on your life.
When you're outnumbered, outsized, out-educated, or out-trained, don't be surprised if people discount you—telling you, "You're not talented enough, not tall enough, not strong enough, not experienced enough." That may be true, but what they can't see is what God put in you. They're just looking on the outside, from a natural perspective. But you have something on the inside—the seed of Almighty God. It will take you where you can't go on your own.
Sometimes, doubt will whisper, "You don't have what it takes. How could you accomplish that dream? Where are you going to get the funds? How can you take your family to a new level? You're barely making it each week. How can you get the promotion? Your coworker is more qualified; they have more training."
But deep down, you can't explain it—something tells you, "You can do it. You were created for this. You know it's going to happen."
People look at you and think just the opposite. But you're exactly where you're supposed to be. God uses underestimated people.
When you're looked down on, when you're told it's not going to happen—get ready. God is about to show out in your life. It's going to be uncommon. People are going to be scratching their heads, thinking:
"How did he become that successful? Do you know what neighborhood he was raised in?"
"How did she marry that man? I don't get it."
"How did she beat cancer? Did you see the report?"
"How did he become the pastor of Lakewood? He didn’t have the training!"
God loves to take the underestimated and do something awesome.
The reason He puts you in situations that are too big, too strong, and too much is not to defeat you—but to establish you.
When God turns it around, when you discover the greatness inside, people will see you in a whole new light. That’s moving you toward your God-given purpose.
When you're tempted to feel overwhelmed, outnumbered, or not enough, instead of giving up, have a new perspective:
"I'm underestimated, and that's okay. I know God is up to something. I know favor is coming. I know new doors are about to open. I know healing is on the way. God is going to defy the odds and do what only He can do."
Don't be discouraged when you're underestimated—embrace it.
God loves to take the underdog and cause them to shine.
When people don’t believe in you, when they're discounting you, when all the facts say it’s never going to happen—you’re in perfect position for God to surprise you. That’s when He’ll show up and do things that catapult you into your destiny.
Think about David—he had a history of being underestimated.
As a teenager, he was out in the shepherd’s fields, taking care of his father’s sheep. His brothers were in the army; they had a prestigious position. David was the youngest, the smallest. He was discounted—sort of seen as the runt of the litter.
When the prophet Samuel came to his house to anoint one of his father’s sons as the next king of Israel, his father, Jesse, didn’t even call him in from the shepherd’s fields. He thought, "There’s no way it’s David. He doesn’t have the size, the strength, the talent. These other brothers are bigger, stronger, more experienced."
Jesse saw David as less than—not good enough. "He doesn’t have a chance."
Yet, when Samuel looked at the other brothers, he said, "It’s none of them."
What’s significant is that the oldest son, Eliab, was tall, strong, muscular, and attractive. He looked like a king—the perfect choice. But God loves to choose the underdog, the least likely, the one others write off.
Jesse told Samuel, "I have another son out in the shepherd’s fields, but I’m sure it’s not him."
David came in, and Samuel said, "That’s the one."
I can imagine Jesse nearly passed out.
Samuel said, "Jesse, you look on the outside, but God looks on the inside. You’re judging by appearance, height, and stature, but God looks at the heart."
David was anointed to be king, but he didn’t go to the palace—he went back to the shepherd’s fields.
One day, his father asked him to take lunch to his brothers, who were serving in the army in another city.
When he arrived, instead of thanking him, his oldest brother made fun of him in front of all the men: "What are you doing here, David? And what did you do with those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of?"
He belittled him, discounted him, and tried to make him feel small. He didn’t think David would do anything significant.
Like David’s father, he saw him as not up to par—just a young boy.
Think about how easily David could have felt inadequate, inferior, and been talked out of what God put in his heart.
It's so important that you don't let how people treat you determine your value.
Don't let what they say determine your self-worth.
They may not believe in you. They may see you as less than. They may say things that try to push you down.
Don't let those lies take root—don't live inferior, insecure, or fail to pursue your dreams.
You have to do like David—let it go in one ear and out the other.
They're underestimating you, but you know this principle: God uses underestimated people.
It’s a setup—He’s about to show out in your life.
As David was about to return home, Goliath, the champion of the Philistine army, came out on the mountainside and started taunting the Israelites, shouting insults, daring them to come fight.
All the Israelite army ran and hid. They were afraid, but something rose up in David. He said, "Who is this man that he would defy the armies of the living God?" It didn’t make sense to his mind, but he had this passion, this knowing that he was going to take care of Goliath.
He went to King Saul and told him that he wanted to fight Goliath. You would think that Saul would be happy—none of his soldiers had the courage. They were all terrified. Day after day, they shrunk back. Finally, someone stepped up. But when King Saul saw how small David was, he said in verse 33, "David, don’t be ridiculous. You’re just a boy. He’s the champion of their army. He’s incredibly skilled, strong, and powerful."
You can imagine how David felt. He had all this passion, this enthusiasm. He knew God had called him to do something great, but nobody believed in him—his father, his brothers, King Saul. They all discounted him, tried to talk him out of it.
But David understood this principle: I’m underestimated, and that’s okay. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. I’m not offended. They can’t see what’s in me. The odds may be against me, but I know God uses underestimated people. This is setting me up for a new level of my destiny.
David got his courage up and went out to face Goliath. When Goliath saw how small David was, he began to make fun of him, ridiculing him. He said, "Am I a dog that you’d come at me with a stick?" He was saying, Is this the best you’ve got? This teenager? This young boy? He doesn’t have the training, the size, the experience. He’s not even worth my time.
Look at how many opportunities David had to get discouraged—to feel inadequate, unqualified. His father, his brothers, King Saul, and now even Goliath were all trying to reinforce these lies: David, you’re not enough. You can’t do this. It’s too big.
To reach your destiny, you have to tune out all the naysayers and intimidations. They can’t do it thoughts. You have to know on purpose: God is causing you to be underestimated. People not believing in you, discounting you, feeling like you’re way over your head—that’s a sign that you’re right where you’re supposed to be. God is positioning you to do something you’ve never seen—to defy the odds, to go where no one in your family has gone, to break generational curses, to bring down giants, to set new standards.
Don’t get discouraged when people don’t believe in you or try to talk you out of it. It’s good to be underestimated—that means God’s about to catapult you to new levels.
Goliath stood over nine feet tall. He was huge, muscular, not only powerful but skilled in battle—smart, experienced, agile. You would think God would find the biggest Israeli soldier—the tallest, strongest, most skilled man—to take on Goliath. He’s God; He could have chosen anyone. He could have caused an Israeli man to be nine feet tall, to stand eye to eye with Goliath. That would make more sense.
But what did God do? He chose David. Some commentaries say David was less than five feet tall—my brother Paul’s height. He was very short, not even average height. Goliath was nine feet tall. That means he was almost twice David’s size.
God was showing us this principle: He uses underestimated people.
You may be in a situation where what you’re up against seems impossible. There are giants in your life. In your finances, it doesn’t look like you’ll get ahead. The medical report’s not good. Maybe a child is off course. You’re still believing to meet someone, but nothing’s working out.
You’re right where David was. Thoughts will tell you, There’s no chance. It’s too big, too complicated. You might as well turn around, quit expecting, quit believing.
Don’t believe those lies. God has let the odds be against you on purpose. He’s let you be underestimated so that when He turns it around, when He defies the odds and you defeat that giant, you come out promoted, healthy, happy, married, victorious—nobody will doubt that the Most High God is on your side.
Goliath was standing there in a full set of armor. He had a sword, a shield, the best protection, the latest equipment. David had no armor, no helmet, no protection. All he had was a slingshot and a few stones.
When he looked at Goliath, fully decked in all of his armor, he thought about how he had nothing but a slingshot. He could have been intimidated, afraid—Maybe this isn’t a good idea. But he knew that slingshot, with the favor of God, was more powerful than having the best equipment.
It’s not so much what you have—it’s what you think about what you have. If you’re discounting your talent, your height, your ability, your nationality, your education—All I have is this slingshot. I just went to high school. My family’s just ordinary.—you’re going to miss the greatness God put in you.
You don’t need great talent to do something great. You don’t have to have great resources to leave your mark. You don’t have to come from an influential family to make a big difference. But if you live thinking, If I just had something better than this slingshot… If I just had more talent, more experience, more personality, more courage…—that’s going to limit your life.
Here’s the key: You have exactly what you need to fulfill your destiny. It may seem like it’s just a slingshot, but that slingshot, with the favor of God, will take you from the shepherd’s fields to the palace. It will cause a teenager with no training to defeat the most skilled warrior of that day.
Don’t discount what you have. If you needed more, God would have given you more.
Many times, it’s not other people underestimating us—it’s us underestimating who we are. It’s not the Goliaths holding us back—it’s the lies we’re buying into: I’m too small. I’m too old. Too shy. Too clumsy. I’m not wearing any armor. All I have is this slingshot.
Can I tell you? That slingshot—what you have in your hand—is the ticket to the next level of your destiny. Don’t discount what you have. God will take the little, take what seems like not enough, breathe on it, and it will become more than enough.
My question is: What do you think about what you have? Are you discounting what God has given you?
I don’t say this arrogantly, but I realize: I have the talent I need. I have the courage I need. I have the skills I need. I have the height, the looks, the friends, the favor that I need.
Don’t go through life thinking that you’re at a disadvantage—that you’re lacking. You have everything you need.
Now, people may underestimate you—that’s part of God’s plan. But don’t underestimate yourself. Don’t discount yourself. Don’t talk yourself out of the greatness God put in you.
"Joel, all I have is this slingshot."
All you need is a slingshot.
You’ll be amazed at where you can go with a little talent, a little courage, a little faith, a little determination.
This is where the Israelites missed it. Ten men went in to spy out the Promised Land. They came back intimidated, afraid. They said, "Moses, the people are too big. We don’t have a chance. We felt like grasshoppers compared to them."
They didn’t understand this principle: God will let the odds be against you on purpose.
He’ll put you in situations where you’re the underdog, where everyone counts you out, where you don’t have the size, the training, the skill, the equipment.
If you stay focused on what you don’t have, you’ll talk yourself out of it.
The right approach is: Yes, the people are big. Yes, we felt like grasshoppers. But God, we know You being for us is more than the world being against us. We know You allow us to be underestimated so You can show Your power in greater ways.
When God breathes on what you have—like David and the slingshot—you will defeat enemies that are much bigger, overcome obstacles that look impossible, and go places you’ve never dreamed.
Even in my own life, when my father died, no one expected me to step up and pastor the church. I didn’t have the training. I had never been to seminary. I was more quiet and reserved—I liked being behind the scenes. But when my father passed, I knew I was supposed to take this step of faith. And plenty of people didn’t think I could do it.
A major newspaper wrote an article about how the worst thing that could happen was for one of the sons to take over. Oliver heard a couple of people talking after a service, saying, "He's not as good as his father. I don’t think he’ll make it."
But despite what they said, despite what my natural reasoning told me, somehow, I believed that I had what it takes. I wasn’t moved by all the naysayers. I didn’t let the giants intimidate me. By the grace of God, He’s causing me to go further than I ever imagined. He’s brought gifts out that I didn’t know I had.
That same newspaper that talked about how I wasn’t qualified? A few years later, they wrote another article—it was on the front page. The headline was: A Force to Be Reckoned With.
I thought to myself, Look what God can do—take you from being underestimated, looked down on, discounted, to a force to be reckoned with.
Are you allowing people to talk you out of your dreams? Are circumstances convincing you that you don’t have what it takes?
Get your fire back! You’re underestimated on purpose. It’s a setup. God is about to do something you’ve never seen.
Don’t discount what you have. It may be small now, but when God breathes on it, it’s going to multiply. New doors are going to open. Giants are going to come down.
When we acquired this place—the former Compaq Center—a company filed a lawsuit to try to keep us from moving in. It wasn’t just any company. It was the largest taxpayer in Texas, a huge real estate company. It was literally David versus Goliath.
They had more funds, more influence, more connections. We could have said, like the Israelites, We felt like grasshoppers compared to them. They have billions of dollars in assets.
But when you’re underestimated, God is setting you up. It’s a part of His plan. The bigger they are, the harder they’re going to fall. The more impossible it looks, the more God is going to get the credit.
Our attorneys told us that it could be tied up in the courts for up to ten years—not to get our hopes up. But a year and a half later, without any warning, God supernaturally turned it around. They not only dropped the lawsuit, which gave us the building, but they also leased us 9,000 covered parking spaces. We didn’t have to build a garage.
What am I saying? When you’re underestimated, God is up to something.
As you go through life, you’re going to have times where the odds are against you. All the facts say there’s no way it’s going to happen. Come on, man. They’re the biggest company in Texas! Goliath is nine feet tall! You don’t have the funds. That sickness is permanent.
It’s easy to get discouraged, give up on your dreams, and believe what people are saying.
No! Have the right approach: I’m underestimated on purpose. This means God is up to something. He’s about to show out in my life in a new way.
There was a young boy who had a dream of playing professional football. At nine years old, he drew a picture of himself and, underneath, wrote the caption: Best Safety in the NFL.
The problem was, he was very small. He couldn’t make the team in high school. He was only five feet tall and weighed a hundred pounds. The coaches were concerned for his safety and kept telling him, You’re too small. You’re going to get hurt. Football is not for you.
He kept going back, again and again, wanting to play so badly.
One day, after practice, the coach on the field said to him very firmly, "Listen, son, we’ve taken all your measurements. We’ve studied you. You’re too small. You’re never going to play professional football."
The young man walked away so discouraged. That night, he told his father, "The coaches took my measurements—my size, my height, my weight. They say I don’t measure up. I can’t play football."
His father looked him in the eyes and said, "Son, did they measure your heart?"
He was saying, They don’t know what’s in you. They’re judging by the outside, but they can’t see the greatness that God put in you.
Years later, against all odds, this young man, Bo Eason, went on to play professional football. His second year in the league, he was voted an All-Pro safety—one of the best players in that position.
When you’re underestimated, looked down on, discounted—that’s a sign that God is up to something big.
People can’t stop your destiny. What someone said about you, or the odds being against you—that’s God setting you up for something you’ve never seen.
And you have to do your part. Like David. Like Bo. Keep believing. Keep stretching. Keep doing the right thing.
You’re going to see unusual doors open, divine connections, and favor that catapults you into your destiny.
We even see this in the life of Jesus.
He could have been born in a palace—born into royalty, born into wealth and influence. Instead, He was born in a manger. He was wrapped in a blanket they used for animals. His mother was from a low-income family. She didn’t have status or clout. Nobody knew her.
Jesus could have been raised in Rome, in a powerful city. But He grew up in Nazareth.
When He started doing miracles, people were confused. They said, Can anything good come out of Nazareth?
They were saying, This doesn’t make sense. Nobody significant lives here.
Another time, they asked, Is this not the carpenter’s son?
They said, We know Jesus. There’s nothing special about Him.
Don’t be offended if you’re underestimated. It’s all a part of God’s plan.
The key is: Don’t let those lies get on the inside.
They may try to devalue you, belittle you, not give you the time of day—that’s a test.
You can get upset, offended—They’re right. I’m not that talented. I don’t have much of a future.
Or you can say, I’m underestimated, and that’s okay. God, You’re still on the throne. You’re in control of my life. I’m going to keep honoring You. I know You’ll cause me to defy the odds and go where I’ve never dreamed.
I believe and declare: Like David, you’re about to defy the odds. Giants that are much bigger are about to come down. Gifts are going to come out of you in a greater way. What God is about to do in your life will not only amaze you, but other people will be scratching their heads.
In Jesus’ name!
And if you receive it, can you say Amen?
I’d like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me?
Just say: "Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior."
If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. I hope you’ll get into a good, Bible-based church and keep God first place.
