Joel Osteen, popular televangelist, radio host and senior pastor of the Lakewood megachurch in Houston, Texas, recently gave some Biblical tips on how to get through life's storms and continue to be thankful even through grief.
Osteen, who regularly preaches to a flock of over 43,000 and released his latest book, You Can, You Will: 8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner in September, encouraged those suffering with grief to seek the Lord and simply "take it a day at a time."
"Sometimes you think, 'how can I go on another six months--or a year?' But God doesn't ask you to," Osteen told Fox and Friends. "He says, 'Can you go on for 24 more hours?' So, I think you have to get up in the morning and say, 'God, I'm asking you for strength for today.' You just have to remember the good memories..if you stay in faith, God will open another door."
The 51 year old, who lost his father in 1999, added that without faith, grief is "very difficult" to overcome.
"I encourage people, even unbelievers, to turn to God...He is the Creator, He has a purpose for us. Nothing we go through is a surprise to Him. God will be there to give you peace and strength, and to bring in new friends and help you get through those times."
The megachurch pastor explained that he often promotes hope in his ministry, Joel Osteen Ministries, because it's important for people to be positive about life and thankful even when times are difficult.
"I always think it's important to get up every morning and find something to be grateful for. I find that how you start the day many times determine what kind of day it's going to become," said Osteen.
"It's easy to think 'Oh man, I don't feel like going to work. I've got all these problems,' or there's so much negativity coming. But if you get up and think well, 'I thank God that I've got my health or my family,' whatever it is I believe when you start the day like that, it's gonna feel better," said Osteen.
He went on to say that he focuses on hope and the "abundant mentality" in his ministry because dealing with challenges is a common theme for people all around the world.
"I find when I give hope I'm speaking to most of the world because everybody faces issues," said Osteen. "I think when you have an abundant mentality, you believe that you can rise higher. You believe that God has given you gifts and talents. You believe that where you are is not where you're supposed to stay. You have to take the limits off of God, you have to make room for him to do something new in your life."
