Joel Osteen Podcast

Episode: “Waiting With Expectancy”

Host: Joel Osteen
Date: February 26, 2026

Overview

In this uplifting episode, Joel Osteen explores the transformative power of “waiting with expectancy.” He encourages listeners to move from passive waiting to a state of active anticipation, rooted in faith that good things are coming—regardless of current circumstances. Through relatable stories, biblical examples, and practical advice, Joel empowers his audience to expect God’s best, take faith-driven actions, and prepare for blessings even before they appear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining “Waiting” (03:10–05:20)

• Waiting is not passive: Joel challenges the misconception that waiting equates to doing nothing.
• Amplified take on Isaiah: “‘Those who expect, who hope, who look for God’s goodness.’ Waiting is not supposed to be passive. True, waiting is actively expecting.” (03:58)
• David’s example from Psalm 5: He brought requests to God each morning and “waited expectantly.”

“When you’re waiting expectantly, you know this could be the day you get the break you need… There’s anticipation in your spirit.” (04:50)

2. Expectancy Activates Faith (05:20–08:10)

• Faith is released through expectancy: When you act like what you hope for is already on its way, you embody active faith.
• Scriptural foundation: Psalm 27 — despite adversity, David was “confident to see God’s goodness.”
• Encouraged attitude: Don't be ruled by your circumstances (“you're not moved by what you see, you're moved by what you know").

3. The “Suddenly” Factor (08:20–09:30)

• God works in sudden ways: Referencing Psalm 112, Joel emphasizes that God can cause breakthroughs to happen “suddenly.”
• Actively look for breakthrough:
  • Expect “light to come bursting in.”
  • Frequently use affirmations like “I’m expecting a sudden breakthrough!”

“Get up every morning and say, ‘God, I’m expecting your light to come bursting in. I’m expecting a flood of your favor…restoration…promotion.’” (09:10)

4. Mindset: Expect Blessing, Not Trouble (09:35–12:00)

• Proverbs 13 invoked: “Trouble chases sinners, but blessings chase the righteous.” Listeners are reminded: “You are the righteous.”
• Challenge negative scripts: Replace thoughts of limitation with confidence in blessing.

“You’re saying, ‘God, I know you’re still on the throne. You’re bigger than this difficulty. What you promised will come to pass.’” (11:45)

5. Hope Deferred & the Heart (12:10–13:45)

• Hope deferred makes the heart sick: A lack of expectancy leads to emotional and spiritual discouragement.
• Restoring fire: Even when dreams are delayed, listeners are encouraged to “shake that off and get your fire back.”

6. Waiting Like a Farmer (14:00–17:00)

• The analogy of the farmer: The farmer is confident his harvest will come, so he prepares even when the field looks empty.
• Unshakable confidence: “Not if it happens, but when it happens.”

“My God is Jehovah Jireh. He is the Lord, my provider. He is not affected by the economy. He controls it all.” (16:00)

• Using Job as an example: Job's faith and expectancy led him out of loss to a double blessing. The message: Expect to come out better, not just to recover.

7. Faith in Action – Seen and Prepared (17:00–20:55)

• Preparation is key: “Sharpen your tools, make plans for the harvest you know is coming.”
• Personal stories:
  • Friends who bought large furniture for a future house—with no current moving plans.
  • “Their answer was always ‘soon.’ That’s a great answer.” (19:35)
• Encouragement: Always say “soon” in anticipation—“When’s your breakthrough? Soon.”

8. Faith Can Be Seen (21:00–26:00)

• Scriptural story – The paralyzed man (Mark 2):
  • His friends' visible efforts—lowering him through a roof—prompted a miracle.
• Personal examples:
  • Joel’s father packing running shoes for recovery after heart surgery.
  • Ordering china for Joel’s mother, despite her terminal diagnosis, as a sign of expectancy.
• Paul’s preparation (Philemon 1:22): Paul asked for a guest room to be ready, even while imprisoned.

“When God can see your faith, he can do the impossible.” (25:00)

• Rain story: Of a child who, during a prayer for rain, brought an umbrella—real faith expects the answer.

9. Taking Faith-Driven Steps (26:30–28:30)

• Active preparation: Buy the outfit for your future healthy self, sign up for the management course after a missed promotion, set a table for a reconciled spouse.
• Moving toward the “Jordan River”: Sometimes blessings require stepping out before the miracle.

“If you’re praying for rain, bring your umbrella. Let your faith be seen.” (26:45)

10. Personal Stories of Expectancy (28:30–30:10)

• Transformation through seen faith:
  • Woman buys a dress 10 sizes too small—eventually wears it.
  • Couple buys a baby dress before they conceive—dedicate their baby in it years later.
  • Actor Gavin McLeod's ex-wife sets his place at dinner for years—eventually reconciles and remarries.
• Thread: “When you wait with expectancy, amazing things can happen.” (29:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Active waiting is expectancy—that’s your faith being released.” (04:15, Joel)
• “God said, suddenly things will turn around.” (08:32, Joel)
• “You are the righteous; what should you be expecting? Blessings! Not trouble.” (09:55, Joel)
• “My God is Jehovah Jireh. He is not affected by the economy. He controls it all.” (16:00, Joel)
• “When God can see your faith, He can do the impossible.” (25:00, Joel)
• “If you’re praying for rain, bring your umbrella.” (26:45, Joel)
• “When you face disappointments…don’t just pray—prepare for your harvest.” (27:25, Joel)
• “Get up every morning, bring your request to God. And then, like David, go out looking for God’s goodness, looking for good breaks, expecting God’s favor.” (29:00, Joel)
• “God has some ‘suddenlies’ in your future.” (29:45, Joel)
• “I believe and declare you will overcome every obstacle, defeat every enemy and become everything God created you to be.” (31:20, Joel)

Practical Takeaways

• Upgrade your waiting: Replace passivity and pessimism with an active, tangible expectation that blessings are coming.
• Let your faith be seen: Take symbolic action—prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for your breakthrough.
• Affirm daily: Regularly declare expectancy over your life (“I know”, not “I hope”).
• Don’t settle or limit God: Aim for restoration beyond what was lost (Job’s double blessing).
• Persevere in faith: Even when dreams are delayed, keep preparing as if the answer is already on the way.

Timeline of Key Segments

• [03:10] – Start of main message: What does it mean to wait with expectancy?
• [04:45] – David’s example of waiting expectantly.
• [08:32] – “Suddenly” breakthroughs and Psalm 112.
• [09:35] – Proverbs 13: Blessings chase the righteous.
• [12:10] – Hope deferred and keeping your spirit encouraged.
• [14:00] – “Waiting like a farmer” analogy.
• [17:00] – Taking visible action during waiting.
• [21:00] – Stories of faith that can be seen (paralyzed man, Joel’s father, and mother).
• [26:45] – Rain and the umbrella: faith is visible.
• [29:00] – Call to make preparations and expect “suddenlies.”
• [31:20] – Final blessing and declaration.

Summary Tone:
Joel’s message is consistently positive, filled with encouragement and warmth. He uses humor, relatable anecdotes, and scripture to motivate listeners to raise their expectations and trust God for more than just “barely getting by.”

If you only listen to one part:
Jump to [26:30–29:15] for Joel’s rapid-fire series of memorable stories and his passionate encouragement to make visible preparations for the blessing you’re expecting.

Key challenge from Joel:

“Let your faith be seen. Make preparations for the harvest that you know is coming… God has some suddenlies in your future.” (29:15–29:45)

End of Summary