Empty Out the Negative by Joel Osteen

Osteen knows that having a positive attitude with positive thoughts is essential to well being during this pandemic. We need to guard our minds, he says, and get in tune with God. He provides stories from the Bible, his own life, and the lives of others as examples. I like the biblical examples. There is David, so overwhelmed with guilt for past actions that he became ill. But he knew what to do and finally repented, asked God to forgive him and found restoration. What a good lesson to not live with guilt and shame but rather go to God and receive his mercy and forgiveness. There is Joseph who did not let the bad deeds others did to him defeat him. And Paul who did not let the past dictate his future.

Osteen is not naïve. He acknowledges that bad things happen to us. I appreciate his suggestion to have an “I don't understand file.” We must trust God even when we do not understand His ways.

I like Osteen's insight into forgiveness. Forgiving does not mean we approve of the deed done. It only means we are cleansing our minds of the toxic thoughts.

“Your thoughts are running your life,” Osteen writes. (58/181) This book contains good encouragement and some practical ideas for keeping our thoughts and attitude positive. I am impressed with the number of Scripture passages and biblical examples Osteen uses. This short book is easy to read yet is packed full of good positive inspiration.

You can watch the book trailer here.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Joel Osteen is a New York Times bestselling author and the Senior Pastor of America's largest church, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. More than 10 million viewers watch his weekly inspirational messages through television, and over 60 million people connect with him through his digital platforms worldwide. He can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and https://www.joelosteen.com/.

FaithWords, 160 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)