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Stay in the Game: No Adversity Is Too Great for You
Tap into the strength and power to overcome every obstacle that tries to keep you on the sidelines of life!
You were designed to be strong, to be full of can-do power, not a fainter or a quitter, not lacking or weak. You have been equipped with strength to defeat every challenge.
When you go through disappointments, hurts, and unfair situations, it’s easy to get discouraged, to throw in the towel and give up. But you can’t sit on the sidelines of life nursing your wounds, feeling weary and defeated. In spite of the pain, in spite of the adversity, you need to look those obstacles in the eye and say, “You’re no match for me. I am ready for and equal to anything that comes my way. I can handle this.”
This compact digest by #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen helps you put on a victor’s mind-set so that one day soon you won’t just be in the game but you’ll be living a life of victory.
Derived from material previously published in The Power of I Am and Break Out!
You were designed to be strong, to be full of can-do power, not a fainter or a quitter, not lacking or weak. You have been equipped with strength to defeat every challenge.
When you go through disappointments, hurts, and unfair situations, it’s easy to get discouraged, to throw in the towel and give up. But you can’t sit on the sidelines of life nursing your wounds, feeling weary and defeated. In spite of the pain, in spite of the adversity, you need to look those obstacles in the eye and say, “You’re no match for me. I am ready for and equal to anything that comes my way. I can handle this.”
This compact digest by #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen helps you put on a victor’s mind-set so that one day soon you won’t just be in the game but you’ll be living a life of victory.
Derived from material previously published in The Power of I Am and Break Out!
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
128 pages, Hardcover
Published July 19, 2022
32 people are currently reading
1342 people want to read
About the author
Joel Osteen
542 books1,694 followersJOEL OSTEEN is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers. He is the senior pastor of America's largest congregation, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. More than 45,000 people attend services there every week. His televised messages are seen by more than 10 million viewers each week in the United States, and millions more in 100 nations around the world. His 24-hour channel on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and millions of social media followers have prompted numerous publications to name him as one of the most influential Christian leaders in the world. He resides in Houston with his wife, Victoria, and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 9, 2025
Osteen's latest publication is a short, compact 5-chapter book of encouragement. The scripture verse that resonated in my mind throughout the read was Romans 8:28. Overall, it was a good read but I think there could have been certain scriptures included in each chapter to support the examples, which would further remind us to keep the right perspective and to keep walking in faith.
August 12, 2022
Just what I need to read in the season of my life.
This book popped up when I was watching his sermon "Believing without a Sign". Both the and the sermon has blessed me so much.
This book popped up when I was watching his sermon "Believing without a Sign". Both the and the sermon has blessed me so much.
July 25, 2022
The writing walks through the audience in several short chapters with topics like having the right attitude and mindset , not being content staying on the sidelines when hurting or struggles occur, and arming themselves with the strength and knowing that the tests and trials of life will bring the person closer to their destination.
Regardless of what some may view about Osteen's preaching, this is a book that will encourage someone who not only needs a short boost of faith and positivity, but those who seem like their trails have overcome them and not sure they can go on. Since the book is short in length, I chose to read a chapter a day and use it like a devotion to help me during the day.
For an in depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...
Regardless of what some may view about Osteen's preaching, this is a book that will encourage someone who not only needs a short boost of faith and positivity, but those who seem like their trails have overcome them and not sure they can go on. Since the book is short in length, I chose to read a chapter a day and use it like a devotion to help me during the day.
For an in depth review, visit my blog at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...
July 16, 2022
This compact digest helps you put on a victor’s mind-set so that one day soon you won’t just be in the game, but you’ll be living a life of victory. This book is derived from material previously published in The Power of I Am and Break Out!
Pastor Osteen wants everyone to continue to grow and thrive in their lives and has written many books about how to stay faithful while going through trials. Even though this book is a combination of ones he has written before, there is still some things we need to relearn or reacquaint ourselves with. The world can be nasty, but if we stay faithful and positive, and don’t give up, God will lead us through. Thank you to NetGalley and FaithWords for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
Pastor Osteen wants everyone to continue to grow and thrive in their lives and has written many books about how to stay faithful while going through trials. Even though this book is a combination of ones he has written before, there is still some things we need to relearn or reacquaint ourselves with. The world can be nasty, but if we stay faithful and positive, and don’t give up, God will lead us through. Thank you to NetGalley and FaithWords for this advanced reader’s copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
July 29, 2022
A quick read, filled with the author’s messages of hope and encouragement. His books read exactly as he speaks…you can hear the sentences in his voice.
July 9, 2022
I’m always excited when a new book comes out by Joel Osteen. I can’t think of a more encouraging, inspiring, and positive influence. I enjoy his sermons, his beliefs, and upbeat personality. And all that shines through in his writing. The story in the introduction pulled me in immediately and I didn’t put the book down until I completed it.
Stay in the Game has a beautiful cover. I love the watercolor effect with bright and cheerful colors. I also like the title, encouraging readers to stay in the game and off the sidelines of life. But the true gems come from the boosting, power-filled words inside.
Just as you’d expect from anything by Joel Osteen, this book encourages you to pull yourself up from your bootstraps when things get you down. We will all experience hardships, failures, hurts, and such, but we can’t sit around and feel sorry for ourselves or become discouraged.
You’ll be inspired and empowered from reading this book.
First Line (Introduction): My friend, Dale Brown, the legendary couch of the LSU basketball team, told me about the time he was speaking to a group of soldiers at a military base in California.
Genre: Christian Inspirational, Personal Growth
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Stay in the Game has a beautiful cover. I love the watercolor effect with bright and cheerful colors. I also like the title, encouraging readers to stay in the game and off the sidelines of life. But the true gems come from the boosting, power-filled words inside.
Just as you’d expect from anything by Joel Osteen, this book encourages you to pull yourself up from your bootstraps when things get you down. We will all experience hardships, failures, hurts, and such, but we can’t sit around and feel sorry for ourselves or become discouraged.
You’ll be inspired and empowered from reading this book.
First Line (Introduction): My friend, Dale Brown, the legendary couch of the LSU basketball team, told me about the time he was speaking to a group of soldiers at a military base in California.
Genre: Christian Inspirational, Personal Growth
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
July 20, 2022
This is a small book but it is powerful. Osteen has packed it full of encouragement to get in the action and stay with it if you want to be all God meant you to be. Even if you get knocked down or get discouraged, be determined to continue. Help someone else as that will get your mind off your own pain.
Osteen reminds is that God is not going to get us out of every difficulty or keep us from every challenge. He allows us to face difficulties to increase our endurance. We need to shake off discouragement and self pity, dig in and press on. Osteen uses biblical stories, Scripture and personal experiences to illustrate his teaching.
There is one use of Scripture that puzzled me. Osteen writes, “Colossians 3:12 says, 'God has given us the power to endure whatever comes our way with a good attitude.'” (488/950) I can't find a translation even close to what Osteen indicates the verse says. There are other Scriptures from which one could draw that truth and I trust this is just a typo.
This is an encouraging book. Osteen is very enthusiastic in his teaching. We will have difficulties in this life and Osteen's encouragement will help us continue on the course.
Material in this book derived from the previously published books, The Power of I Am and Break Out!
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Osteen reminds is that God is not going to get us out of every difficulty or keep us from every challenge. He allows us to face difficulties to increase our endurance. We need to shake off discouragement and self pity, dig in and press on. Osteen uses biblical stories, Scripture and personal experiences to illustrate his teaching.
There is one use of Scripture that puzzled me. Osteen writes, “Colossians 3:12 says, 'God has given us the power to endure whatever comes our way with a good attitude.'” (488/950) I can't find a translation even close to what Osteen indicates the verse says. There are other Scriptures from which one could draw that truth and I trust this is just a typo.
This is an encouraging book. Osteen is very enthusiastic in his teaching. We will have difficulties in this life and Osteen's encouragement will help us continue on the course.
Material in this book derived from the previously published books, The Power of I Am and Break Out!
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
July 27, 2022
Very Good Book
August 20, 2022
In Stay in the Game, Joel Osteen has written a powerful book about how to handle any obstacle that we will face. Joel encouraged readers to get back into the game and not to quit. We can have joy while we are finishing our race in this life. He shared how critical it is to not sit on the sidelines of life. We instead still need to pursue our life and go be a blessing to someone else while we are hurting. He explained how his own mother was able to do this while she was battling terminal liver cancer. She chose to stay in the game and to pray for people who were hurting. She kept going to church and even though she was in pain and hurting she was making a decision to be a blessing to someone else. He looked at Isaiah and how he stated that we must arise up from our depression and come into a new life. Even if we lost a relationship, our job, battling a health issue, or anything else. We need to shake off our disappointment and hurt. God is able to restore everything taken from us like Job.
The book begins with a story about Shaquille O’Neal and how he walked up to Dale Brown, a legendary coach of the LSU basketball team when he was giving a speech. O’Neal told him how he wanted to play basketball but that he couldn’t jump or dunk the ball. He was thirteen years old at the time and the coach provided him with a training program and tried to mentor him. He was still cut from his local basketball team and was told he was too big, clumsy, and slow. Brown encouraged him to stay in the game and keep trying and to keep relying on God to help him. O’Neal was able to remove all the negative labels that were put on him. As we all know, he eventually went to LSU and was a very successful basketball player. Joel shared this example to remind us about the importance of staying in the game.
I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is discouraged and they are wanting to give up on their race to the finish life. I appreciated Joel’s encouragement throughout the book and the teachings about overcoming whatever we are facing and to stay in the game. One of my favorite teaching stories he shared was the one about the telescope and the little boy who was getting bullied. This was a great message about our perspective. I also enjoyed reading about the story of the Christmas pies and how God was able to provide and use the setback for their good. I also liked Joel’s humor in this one and the joke he says at the end of the story. I also liked how the book is small and it makes it easy to carry around and to keep it with us for daily reminders.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
The book begins with a story about Shaquille O’Neal and how he walked up to Dale Brown, a legendary coach of the LSU basketball team when he was giving a speech. O’Neal told him how he wanted to play basketball but that he couldn’t jump or dunk the ball. He was thirteen years old at the time and the coach provided him with a training program and tried to mentor him. He was still cut from his local basketball team and was told he was too big, clumsy, and slow. Brown encouraged him to stay in the game and keep trying and to keep relying on God to help him. O’Neal was able to remove all the negative labels that were put on him. As we all know, he eventually went to LSU and was a very successful basketball player. Joel shared this example to remind us about the importance of staying in the game.
I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is discouraged and they are wanting to give up on their race to the finish life. I appreciated Joel’s encouragement throughout the book and the teachings about overcoming whatever we are facing and to stay in the game. One of my favorite teaching stories he shared was the one about the telescope and the little boy who was getting bullied. This was a great message about our perspective. I also enjoyed reading about the story of the Christmas pies and how God was able to provide and use the setback for their good. I also liked Joel’s humor in this one and the joke he says at the end of the story. I also liked how the book is small and it makes it easy to carry around and to keep it with us for daily reminders.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
September 11, 2022
Joel Osteen and his team know how to deliver what readers want and need. This book is concise and direct, offering blunt encouragement and hope. That’s a rare thing to find today, and that’s the gift of his books. I recommend this to anyone who has given up on your dreams, or lost the capacity to dream at all. I’m grateful to have this in my personal library.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book.
August 27, 2022
Short story but a powerful one! I always like his books! Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!
July 16, 2022
If you are facing challenges, and who isn't, Joel Osteen's Stay in the Game is absolutely what you need. It is a quick, uplifting read, with Pastor Osteen's trademark blend of positivity and encouragement. I enjoy the mix of bible stories and real life anedotes, from Osteen's own life and people he has met. The stories are relatable, and the message is unrelenting, "Do not give up, God has a plan, and you are strong enough to survive what is challenging you. You will be rewarded for staying in the game."
Pastor Osteen's books are perfect for anyone who needs encouragement, even non-Christians, as they are not overtly preachy--there is no 'fire and brimstone' here. I appreciate his message of belief and faith.
Thank you Netgalley and Faithwords for the ARC of Stay in the Game. The opinions in this review are my own.
Pastor Osteen's books are perfect for anyone who needs encouragement, even non-Christians, as they are not overtly preachy--there is no 'fire and brimstone' here. I appreciate his message of belief and faith.
Thank you Netgalley and Faithwords for the ARC of Stay in the Game. The opinions in this review are my own.
July 19, 2022
Encouragement to Stay the Course
Starting something is easy but how do you stay the course and finish strong as a Christian? In this short book, pastor Joel Osteen gives encouragement through personal stories, stories of others, Scripture and practical insights. As he says in the opening pages: “As you read these pages, I’ll help you put on a new attitude, and get back in the game. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, and one day soon you won’t just be in the game, but you’ll be living the life of victory that you didn’t think was possible.” (Page x)
As Osteen writes later in the book, “God is in complete control. You don’t have to get upset when things don’t go your way. You have the power to remain calm. You can handle any situation. Quit letting little things steal your joy. Every day is a gift from God. Life is too short to live in negative, offended, bitter and discouraged.” (Page 54-55)
I enjoyed reading STAY IN THE GAME and highly recommend it. It’s the type of book that can be read at least once a year for the insights and encouragement.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
Starting something is easy but how do you stay the course and finish strong as a Christian? In this short book, pastor Joel Osteen gives encouragement through personal stories, stories of others, Scripture and practical insights. As he says in the opening pages: “As you read these pages, I’ll help you put on a new attitude, and get back in the game. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, and one day soon you won’t just be in the game, but you’ll be living the life of victory that you didn’t think was possible.” (Page x)
As Osteen writes later in the book, “God is in complete control. You don’t have to get upset when things don’t go your way. You have the power to remain calm. You can handle any situation. Quit letting little things steal your joy. Every day is a gift from God. Life is too short to live in negative, offended, bitter and discouraged.” (Page 54-55)
I enjoyed reading STAY IN THE GAME and highly recommend it. It’s the type of book that can be read at least once a year for the insights and encouragement.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
April 7, 2025
I absolutely love this book. It is a great book of encouragement if you are going through a rough time. It is very easy to read and follow. It is inspirational, with occasional scripture references. The author uses biblical and real-life characters to get his point across. His examples and stories are very relevant. I first read a copy from the library and have since purchased and shared over 10 copies with family members and friends. I frequently reread the book, underlining and dating parts that stand out to me.
- Review by Claudia, Independent Hill Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
- Review by Claudia, Independent Hill Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
November 28, 2022
I am one of the ones who encourages others and this book is one that encouraged me. I would recommend everyone to read this short book frequently. These words of wisdom may seem simple but when I needed encouragement, they released the presence of God that lifted me up.
October 25, 2022
Powerful little book. This book put hope in my heart, to keep pushing on. Some of the stories that Joel brings out are full of encouragement Hope and life.
December 8, 2024
Faith based book 📚📚
May 13, 2025
Exactly what I needed to hear right now.
December 8, 2025
Very encouraging! I'm so grateful I read it! God's Word is full of power, encouragement and direction for my life. I have to slow down and remember that each day. Books like this help:0)
July 29, 2022
This gem is uplifting, and filled with such grace and love. Encouraging, and comforting in every way.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews