Podcast Summary: "God Is In Your Story" | Joel & Victoria Osteen

Joel Osteen Podcast | Episode Date: January 10, 2026

Overview

In this episode, titled "God Is In Your Story," Joel and Victoria Osteen offer listeners inspiration for the new year by emphasizing that God is intimately involved in the details of each person’s life. Through relatable stories and biblical examples—most notably the story of the woman at the well—Joel and Victoria encourage listeners to see themselves as close to God, never too far or too flawed for His love and transformational work. The tone is warm, inviting, and filled with hope, typical of the Osteens’ faith-based motivational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Changing Your Perspective—From Distance to Nearness

• Joel opens with a metaphor from his own experience at a theater, struggling to see the stage from a distant seat, until using binoculars (01:34–02:46).
  • This experience leads into a discussion on how distance creates disconnection, but tools like binoculars close that distance, offering clarity and intimacy.
• Spiritual Application:
  • “Ephesians 2:13 says this: in Christ you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.” (02:51–03:31, Joel)
  • Just as binoculars bring the stage closer, Jesus bridges the gap between God and people.

2. God Sees and Values You, No Matter What

• Victoria reassures: Even among 7 billion people, God sees each person individually.
  • “How do you see little old me? … Have you forgotten or can you even see me? We've all had those thoughts.” (04:06–04:22, Joel)
  • Encouragement: Doubt does not drive God away; instead, God is always present, "as close as the very breath we breathe." (04:25, Joel)
• You don’t have to clean up first.
  • “Some people think they need to change their life before they can draw near to God… But can I tell you today that you can't clean your own life up…” (04:49–05:13, Joel)
  • God accepts us as we are and transforms us from the inside out.

3. The Woman at the Well—Breaking Social Barriers

• Biblical story: John 4, Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (06:28–11:47).
  • Significance:
    • Jesus "had to" go to Samaria, breaking social and religious norms (07:10, Victoria & Joel).
    • The woman came with an earthly perspective, unaware of her divine encounter:
      • “Have you ever had an earthly perspective? … She didn’t realize she was gonna leave with a heavenly perspective.” (07:34–08:01, Victoria & Joel)
    • Jesus addresses her hidden life openly yet without condemnation.
      • “This guy knows all about me, and he’s still talking to me… and he still wants to have a conversation with me. He still wants to give me this living water.” (09:37–09:46, Victoria)
  • Key takeaway:
    • “We can come to him just like we are.” (10:43, Joel)
    • “Jesus has a need to get to you. He is offering you living water. But all we have to do is say yes and drink that water.” (10:52-11:15, Victoria)

4. Authentic Worship and Receiving Living Water

• Worship in spirit and truth:
  • “God is looking at us through his binoculars of Jesus, the distance that was once there. He’s brought us close. He hasn’t brought us close because we’re perfect…” (11:47, Joel)
  • Victoria expands:
    • “She [the Samaritan woman] didn’t feel judgment. She didn’t feel condemned. And he said, these are the people I’m looking for. People that’ll draw close to me in all of the truth of who they are.” (12:17, Victoria)
• Receiving transformation:
  • “When you say yes to Jesus, you may be saved, but you got some junk in you that needs to be worked out.” (12:53–13:00, Victoria & Joel)
  • God’s living water is a continual source of inner renewal (13:32–13:47).

5. Embrace Your Story—Let God Write It

• Let God work in you:
  • “Let God do the work in you. Let him work out those things that you so desperately want to get rid of. And you will enjoy that heavenly perspective and God will get you to everywhere that you need to be.” (14:53–15:10, Joel)
  • The new year is presented as an opportunity for reset and renewal, with practical encouragement to take one step at a time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We've just got to recognize that he's as close as the very breath that we breathe.”
  — Joel Osteen, 04:25

• “You can't bring the change that God wants to bring in your life until you realize he's right there with you and you accept him into your life and you go to him daily.”
  — Joel Osteen, 05:13

• “This guy knows all about me, and he's still talking to me… But this guy knows the truth, and he still wants to have a conversation with me.”
  — Victoria Osteen, 09:37

• “We can come to him just like we are.”
  — Joel Osteen, 10:43

• “When you drink from this living water, it will be a continual spring.”
  — Joel Osteen, 13:39

• “Let God do the work in you… and you will enjoy that heavenly perspective and God will get you to everywhere that you need to be.”
  — Joel Osteen, 14:53–15:10

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Theater/Binoculars story, spiritual metaphor | 01:34–03:31 | | God draws us near in Jesus (application) | 03:31–04:43 | | Doubt & assurance: God sees you | 04:06–05:13 | | You don’t need to fix yourself first | 04:49–05:13 | | John 4: Woman at the Well story | 06:28–11:47 | | Breaking spiritual/social barriers | 07:10–11:15 | | Worship in spirit and truth | 11:47–12:45 | | Daily renewal—living water | 12:53–13:47 | | Let God write your story/Conclusion | 14:53–15:10 |

Final Encouragement & Tone

The Osteens conclude by infusing the message with hopeful expectation for the new year:

• “It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible. Life setbacks are about to become God's setups for new opportunity.” (15:39, Joel)
• “The start of the new year is the perfect time to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past and get ready for the new things God has in store.” (15:55, Victoria)

Their message is consistent: No matter your past, distance, or doubts, God is intimately involved—right in the midst of your story. Accept His nearness, let Him transform you, and trust Him to lead you into a new season of blessing.

For further listening or resources, visit JoelOsteen.com or tune in for daily messages.