Overview of God Wants To Surprise You | Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen’s sermon (from his SiriusXM podcast) encourages listeners to live expectantly for God’s surprises — small and large acts of favor that show God is thinking about us. Using everyday anecdotes, Scripture references, and testimonies, Joel emphasizes that blessings will “overtake” believers when they stay in faith, remain hopeful through setbacks, and expect God to “supersize” their dreams.
Key points and main takeaways
- The nature of a divine surprise: small, unexpected acts of goodness that show care and favor.
- Expectancy matters: get up each day anticipating God’s favor and surprises.
- Faith over sight: you don’t have to see how things will work out — your job is to believe; God has many ways to provide.
- Setbacks can be set-ups: disappointments and delays often position you for a surprise or greater blessing.
- God uses unexpected channels: critics, competitors, strangers, delays, or enemies can become instruments of blessing.
- God supersizes dreams: what you imagine is a fraction of what God can accomplish; He often magnifies outcomes beyond expectation.
- This message is directed to believers willing to receive and steward God’s favor.
Notable stories and examples Joel uses
- Personal family moments: surprising his daughter with inexpensive earrings; loading his son’s guitar gear — small surprises that show care.
- Lost diamond bracelet: found the next morning on the exact spot after waves shifted — metaphor for God arranging the impossible.
- Resigned supervisor: sudden resignation makes a difficult workplace easier.
- Competitor’s criticism: negative publicity drove customers to a small business, turning things around.
- $68,000 hospital debt: a single mom had her debt canceled and payments refunded as an unexpected provision.
- Tumor disappears: surgery canceled after scans show nothing — delay became a divine deliverance.
- Student visa/scholarship: change in admissions staff led to enrollment and a three-year scholarship.
- Photographer’s lens returned from Hong Kong: an encouraging, inexplicable act of favor from strangers.
- Everyday chance encounter: meeting a future spouse during a roadside flat tire.
Scripture and spiritual anchors cited
- Deuteronomy 28: Blessings will “overtake” those who keep God first (interpreted as being caught by surprise).
- Psalm 23: “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me” — used to illustrate living with expectancy.
- 1 Corinthians (2:9): “No eye has seen...” — God’s plans exceed human imagination.
Practical action steps / recommendations
- Start each day with expectancy: thank God and expect to see His favor.
- Stay in faith: don’t give in to discouragement when you don’t see immediate solutions.
- Don’t try to figure everything out — focus on believing and obeying.
- Keep dreams alive and “supersize” them in faith (ask bigger; expect more).
- Be attentive to people and small favors — divine connections often come through ordinary interactions.
- Reframe setbacks as potential set-ups for a surprise.
Who this message is for
- Primarily for believers and people willing to receive and act on faith; those skeptical about the message are reminded the content is oriented toward the faithful.
Resources, offers, and how to request them
- Double for Your Trouble — 31-day daily guide for restoration (spiral-bound).
- God’s Got You Restoration Duo — paired inspirational books.
- Double Portion Restoration Bible Collection — includes books plus a CSB Thinline Bible (camel suede soft leather touch, digital study edition).
- How to request: visit joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL.
Notable quotes / memorable lines
- “God wants to surprise you with His goodness.”
- “As long as you stay in faith, you won’t be able to outrun the good things of God.”
- “God has a thousand different ways to bring your dreams to pass.”
- “God is about to supersize your dreams.”
Summary takeaway
Joel Osteen’s message urges listeners to adopt expectancy and faith: God delights in surprising His people through ordinary and extraordinary means. Maintain hope during delays, stay open to divine connections, and believe that blessings, favor, and opportunities are “chasing” you — often arriving in unexpected ways and exceeding your expectations.