Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day » (Reprint)

Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Listed by several sources as America's largest and fastest-growing congregation, Lakewood church has approximately 45,000 adult attendees every week. Millions more watch Joel's messages as they are broadcast on national and international television networks. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children. You can visit his Web site at joelosteen.com.

Joel Osteen reaches one of the largest audiences in the U.S. and across the globe -- more than 42,000 people attend his church every week, and millions more tune in by television to hear his words of inspiration and wisdom. His first book, Your Best Life Now, has sold over 4 million copies and is available worldwide in seventeen languages. His message of hope is helping people find a closer connection with God by learning to apply the principles of Scripture to their everyday lives.

In this new book, Become a Better You, Joel Osteen offers seven simple yet profound action steps that will help readers discover the better things they were born for...their individual purpose and destiny. As charming and passionate on the page as he is in person, Osteen incorporates key biblical principles, devotions, and personal testimonies that will uplift and enlighten readers. He speaks directly to the hearts and concerns of people from every walk of life. People love Joel Osteen -- they love to be in his presence, to hear him speak, and to read what he's written -- they just can't get enough of him.

Become a Better You will encourage and inspire readers to reach their full, unique and God-given potential.

Publishers Weekly

Megachurch pastor and bestselling author Osteen follows up Your Best Life Nowwith this disappointingly unoriginal Christian self-help book. The seven subtitular steps to improvement include instructions to develop good habits, better relationships and an inner life. Osteen balances mind-over-matter pep talks with claims that God wants to bless faithful people with successes. The future is always promising, because "God never performs His greatest feats in your yesterdays." At the same time, in order to receive God's blessing, one must back up prayers with action, obey, maintain a positive attitude toward life and "do the right thing with the right motives." Some of Osteen's advice is sound; for example, he suggests that if you are forgiving and kind to colleagues and friends, they'll cut you slack when you have crabby days. Other suggestions-like writing down a big goal and posting it on your mirror or desk-are unremarkable. Laced throughout are anodyne first-person vignettes; Osteen struggled with frustration when his favorite restaurant announced a 45-minute wait. The hurried Osteen went to a nearby burger joint, only to have a brief encounter that changed another customer's life. Voilà-God turned Osteen's disappointment into blessing! Though this book is destined for strong sales, it offers nothing innovative. (Oct. 15)

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

Part 1 Keep Pressing Forward

1 Stretching to the Next Level 3

2 Give Your Dreams a New Beginning 19

3 The Power of Your Bloodline 33

4 Breaking Free from the Strongholds of Your Past 49

5 The Generational Blessing 59

6 Discovering Your Destiny 71

Action Points Part 1 Keep Pressing Forward 81

Part 2 Be Positive Toward Yourself

7 Stop Listening to Accusing Voices 85

8 Learning to Like Yourself 99

9 Making Your Words Work for You 109

10 Have Confidence in Yourself 121

Action Points Part 2 Be Positive Toward Yourself 131

Part 3 Develop Better Relationships

11 Bringing the Best out of People 135

12 Keep the Strife out of Your Life 147

13 Taking a Stand for Your Family 161

14 Invest in Your Relationships 171

15 Being Good to People 183

Action Points Part 3 Develop Better Relationships 193

Part 4 Form Better Habits

16 Feed Your Good Habits 197

17 Develop a Habit of Happiness 215

18 Handling Criticism 229

19 Keep Yourself Happy 241

Action Points Part 4 Form Better Habits 252

Part 5 Embrace The Place Where You Are

20 Embrace the Place Where You Are 255

21 It Is Well with My Soul 265

22 Stay in Peace 273

23 Remember the Good 281

24 God Is in Control 287

Action Points Part 5 Embrace the Place Where You Are 298

Part 6 Develop Your Inner Life

25 Rising Higher 301

26 Develop a Tender Conscience 309

27 Dealing with the Root Issues 317

Action Points Part 6 Develop Your Inner Life 326

Part 7 Stay Passionate About Life

28 Plan for Blessing 329

29 Keep Singing Your Song 341

30 From Believing to Expecting 351

31 Stay Passionate About Life 363

Action Points Part 7 Stay PassionateAbout Life 376

We Care About You! 377

Notes 379