Victoria Osteen - Exceptional You!: 7 Ways to Live Encouraged, Empowered, and Intentional

When something is exceptional, it means that it is better than good; it is outstanding. The exceptional stands out from the crowd, is extraordinary, and is something to be celebrated. You were made by God to be exceptional.

Scripture says that you are Gods masterpiece, formed in His image, and created to do great things. You were wonderfully made, with a purpose and a destiny that is distinctly yours. You didnt come off an assembly line. Youre an original. God knew you before you were born and He designed you to be you, unique and exceptional.

But too often we lose sight of who God made us to be. We dont recognize the individual gifts and talents that God has placed in us. If were not careful, well allow our God-given attributes to be reduced in our own minds, causing us to see ourselves as merely average, mediocre, or mundane.

We must understand that God doesnt want us to be ordinary in our thinking or in the way we live our lives. He wants us to be exceptional in every way. God wants us to expect more from ourselves and from Him. He wants us to strive for more and to be the very best that He created us to be.

Every day is a new day with God. His mercies are fresh every morning, regardless of where you find yourself or the difficulties you may be going through. God is by your side. He is always offering us a new beginning and a fresh start.

When I think about the challenges and difficulties Ive faced in my life, there were times when I would become discouraged and ask myself, Is this worth it? Does it even matter? But today Ive realized that when I press through the challenges with faith, I discover the exceptional qualities that God placed in me, and I learn valuable lessons in my life.

We all face challenges and unfair situations, but if we are willing to take steps of faith and place them in Gods hands, thats when the exceptional in us is produced.

Ive noticed that when I put certain practices in place and incorporate them into my life, I feel myself stepping into my exceptional self each and every day. Ive written this book to show you the seven practices that keep me reaching toward the exceptional. They are applications that can keep you encouraged, empowered, and inspired along the way. My hope is that you would read them and put them to use in your life.

God has each of us on a path. No two are the same. But the destination God has for all of us is victory. When you are faithful with what God has placed in your hand, and you dont allow it to become mundane and ordinary, you are living exceptionally. I pray this book is a blessing for you. That it leads you closer to God and nearer to who He made you to be. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Live this truth today: You are Exceptional.

I have a good friend named Jim, who Ive known for many years. Jim told me a story one day that has stayed in my heart ever since. Its the story of when he met his baby sister for the first time. Jim was eight years old. He had been an only child for quite some time, and he was incredibly excited about having a sister. Finally the day came when his father showed up at school and took him out of class to head to the hospital. As his father drove through the streets of the town, parked in the parking lot, and then walked Jim down the long hallways of the hospital, Jims stomach was rumbling with anticipation. They came to a stop in front of a large nursery window. Jim peered through the glass and saw rows of little babies all bundled up like burritos in their bassinets. A nurse looked up and recognized Jims father. She smiled and walked out of the nursery, right up to Jim, and bent down to his level. She put her hand on his shoulder and said, Thats your baby sister right there, as she pointed out which baby belonged to his family. As Jim saw her for the first time, his face lit up with joy. There, at last, was his baby sister.

Later that day, recognizing how meeting his sister had made such a strong impression on his son, Jims father decided to tell Jim about the day that he was born. He sat down on the sofa right next to his precious boy. He looked into his eyes, making sure he had Jims full attention, and said, Jim, when you were born, your mother and I looked through a large nursery window at all the babies, kind of like you and I did today. But something different happened. The nurse told us, You can have any baby in this nursery that you want. We looked at all those babies and we chose you.