The book of Proverbs brings much wisdom to believers, and the topic of pride is often highlighted. We see in Proverbs 16 what happens to those who walk in pride. - Emily Rose Massey

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The book of Proverbs brings much wisdom to believers, and the topic of pride is often highlighted. We see in Proverbs 16 what happens to those who walk in pride. - Emily Rose Massey
SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts: Your Daily Prayer: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/</a> Your Daily Bible Verse: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/</a>

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

Avoiding the Pitfall of Pride

Feeling distracted, annoyed, or judgmental at church can quietly reveal places where freedom hasn’t fully taken root. John 8:36 reminds us that true worship flows from the freedom Christ gives—not from conformity, comparison, or comfort.

Highlights


Judgment can quietly imprison our hearts, even in worship.


What looks distracting on the outside may be evidence of deep healing and redemption.


God often invites us to love the very people we instinctively avoid.


Freedom in Christ doesn’t always look neat, quiet, or familiar.


Worship involves the whole person—heart, mind, and body.


Letting go of fear of others’ opinions creates space to encounter God more fully.


Jesus frees us not only from sin, but from rigid expectations and spiritual pride.

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When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

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Full Transcript Below:

When You Feel Annoyed at Church
By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." – John 8:36 NIV

I tried to close my eyes. That was my best attempt to ignore the woman standing in front of me. If I close my eyes, I won't have to be bothered with her. That was my line of thinking, anyway. If I close my eyes, I can think about the words in the song, and the love for God in my heart—not her.

Yet, before long, I squinted my eyes open to catch a glance. She was still doing it. She was moving her body during worship. She wasn't standing still. She wasn't being like everyone else. She was swaying her body, unlike the rest of the church.

She's distracting. She is one hundred percent distracting. She shouldn't be allowed to do this.

I was bothered in my heart, perturbed in my mind, and critical with my words. In the car, I told my husband about it.

Later, though, at home, after praying about gathering a group of women at my house to experience God's love and the truth of His Word, she came to mind.

God, do you want me to invite… her?

Indeed, I had a strong impression on my heart that she is exactly who He wanted me to invite.

Anyone but her.

Despite my hesitancy, I obeyed. Once she was at my house, some of the ladies began to open up about their stories.

When it was the dancing girl’s turn, she shared, "I used to be a stripper. Then, I found Jesus. He saved me and rescued me out of that. Now, when I move during church worship, it is like He is redeeming all the dances I did before. He is redeeming me, as He looks upon me in worship, I just know it..."

My mouth wanted to drop.

How could I have judged her? God was doing something with her. How could I have declared her a stumbling block? Her story was now healing me of judgment. How could I have been such a Pharisee? It was people like this that Jesus came to save and love.

I was the one in the wrong.

While I was in a prison of judgment, she was experiencing the freedom of Christ Jesus.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV)

Maybe she knew something I didn't. Maybe moving during worship is part of experiencing freedom. Maybe moving breaks free of a room that may be conforming. Was she on to something?

During worship, I started to sway a little. I started to raise my hands. I started to break out of normal to pursue God, not only with all my heart, but with all my body. And, wow! God met me in that place. I felt His heart near me. I felt His grace around me.

Who knew?

Intersecting Faith & Life:

How might God be calling you to break a norm? How might He be encouraging you to worship Him with all your heart? What would it look like to stop fearing what you look like before man and to give Him more of yourself in worship? How do you fear what others think of you?

Feeling distracted, annoyed, or judgmental at church can quietly reveal places where freedom hasn&rsquo;t fully taken root. John 8:36 reminds us that true worship flows from the freedom Christ gives&mdash;not from conformity, comparison, or comfort.
Highlights
<ul data-start="271" data-end="798">
<li data-start="271" data-end="333">
Judgment can quietly imprison our hearts, even in worship.
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="423">
What looks distracting on the outside may be evidence of deep healing and redemption.
</li>
<li data-start="424" data-end="496">
God often invites us to love the very people we instinctively avoid.
</li>
<li data-start="497" data-end="564">
Freedom in Christ doesn&rsquo;t always look neat, quiet, or familiar.
</li>
<li data-start="565" data-end="625">
Worship involves the whole person&mdash;heart, mind, and body.
</li>
<li data-start="626" data-end="711">
Letting go of fear of others&rsquo; opinions creates space to encounter God more fully.
</li>
<li data-start="712" data-end="798">
Jesus frees us not only from sin, but from rigid expectations and spiritual pride.
</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
When You Feel Annoyed at Church By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." &ndash; John 8:36 NIV
I tried to close my eyes. That was my best attempt to ignore the woman standing in front of me. If I close my eyes, I won't have to be bothered with her. That was my line of thinking, anyway. If I close my eyes, I can think about the words in the song, and the love for God in my heart&mdash;not her.
Yet, before long, I squinted my eyes open to catch a glance. She was still doing it. She was moving her body during worship. She wasn't standing still. She wasn't being like everyone else. She was swaying her body, unlike the rest of the church.
She's distracting. She is one hundred percent distracting. She shouldn't be allowed to do this.
I was bothered in my heart, perturbed in my mind, and critical with my words. In the car, I told my husband about it.
Later, though, at home, after praying about gathering a group of women at my house to experience God's love and the truth of His Word, she came to mind.
God, do you want me to invite&hellip; her?
Indeed, I had a strong impression on my heart that she is exactly who He wanted me to invite.
Anyone but her.
Despite my hesitancy, I obeyed. Once she was at my house, some of the ladies began to open up about their stories.
When it was the dancing girl&rsquo;s turn, she shared, "I used to be a stripper. Then, I found Jesus. He saved me and rescued me out of that. Now, when I move during church worship, it is like He is redeeming all the dances I did before. He is redeeming me, as He looks upon me in worship, I just know it..."
My mouth wanted to drop.
How could I have judged her? God was doing something with her. How could I have declared her a stumbling block? Her story was now healing me of judgment. How could I have been such a Pharisee? It was people like this that Jesus came to save and love.
I was the one in the wrong.
While I was in a prison of judgment, she was experiencing the freedom of Christ Jesus.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV)
Maybe she knew something I didn't. Maybe moving during worship is part of experiencing freedom. Maybe moving breaks free of a room that may be conforming. Was she on to something?
During worship, I started to sway a little. I started to raise my hands. I started to break out of normal to pursue God, not only with all my heart, but with all my body. And, wow! God met me in that place. I felt His heart near me. I felt His grace around me.
Who knew?
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
How might God be calling you to break a norm? How might He be encouraging you to worship Him with all your heart? What would it look like to stop fearing what you look like before man and to give Him more of yourself in worship? How do you fear what others think of you?

When You Feel Annoyed at Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/d664a2e1-e526-460f-a1bb-b3ca013ebbdb/transcript

When emotions feel tangled or words won’t come out right, God invites you to pour out your heart to Him as a safe refuge. Psalm 62:8 reminds us that whether we speak freely or sit silently, God listens closely and welcomes every concern we bring before Him.

Highlights


God invites you to pour out your heart—without fear or filtering.


Whether you process internally or externally, God can handle your words or your silence.


God is a refuge, not threatened by emotion or overwhelmed by honesty.


When words fail, the Holy Spirit helps express what’s on your heart (Romans 8:26).


God bends down to listen, drawing closer rather than pulling away.


David modeled honest expression through prayer, music, and worship.
God can communicate what you cannot find words to say—even to others.

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

Pouring Out Your Heart 

By Cindi McMenamin

Bible Reading:
Trust in Him at all times, you people; 

Pour out your hearts before Him;

God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8 NASB)

Do you ever long for a safe place to pour out your heart? 

Some people are internal processors. They run thoughts through their minds and at times find it difficult to verbally express what’s on their hearts. 

At times, I wish I were that way. To the contrary, I struggle with keeping it all inside. As a verbal or external processor, I repeat instructions aloud to make sure I understand them. And I express my thoughts verbally as a way of sorting through them. To my husband, who is an internal processor, that’s exhausting at times. For me, it’s essential. To hold it in is to put a stopper on my heart, and I feel I will suffocate. Until pent-up feelings eventually blow, like an eruption of emotion that can be overwhelming to those I love the most. In the aftermath of a gush of words, there can sometimes be regret.  

But God is not threatened by my words—or yours. And He’s not irritated by our silence, either. He tells us, in His Word, to pour out our hearts before Him, and then He tells us He is a refuge, a safe place—we don’t need to fear what we said or the words we withheld. He knows, and can handle them all—or none at all. 

And if you’re one who struggles with how to verbally express how you feel, or when you do, you choose the wrong words, Romans 8:26 tells us His Spirit will communicate with yours and express your very heart to your Heavenly Father. I love how the Contemporary English Version renders Psalm 62:8: “Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Could you use a safe place when it comes to bearing your soul? Do you need a refuge, a place to hide, when you’re not ready to express how you feel? God is there for us whenever we need to process our thoughts and feelings. He is the Ultimate Listener and the Perfect Communicator. He is the Quiet Encourager and our Comforting Presence. 

Psalm 116:2 in the New Living Translation says: “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”  I love how that verse indicates He will come near us, rather than walk away, when we have something we need to say. He will draw closer—in order to listen carefully—when He knows we struggle with how to express what’s on our hearts, or how to filter our words. As a father with an ear bent toward his loving child, our God will listen. So, pour it out. Or keep it in, and just close your eyes and reflect on being in His presence. He knows exactly what you need to say. He can hear your unspoken words, too.

I tend to think David, the psalmist, needed to write music and lyrics in order to express his heart. And I believe he counted on God to help him find words for what he felt, so he could express those words to God and sing them back to Him. In doing so, he experienced God’s strength in the midst of his weakness. 

What do you need to express to someone today, while you struggle to find the right words? Can you tell it to God instead, or ask Him to search your mind and thoughts and help you convey what you need to say to someone else? Many times, when I’m at a loss for how to say something to someone at just the right time and in just the right way, I’ve asked my heavenly Father to convey to that person what’s on my heart without me having to say anything. He has an amazing way of touching someone’s heart and making them “hear” what I really wanted to say to them, but never found the words to do so. 

Oh, the overwhelming, astounding love of God. All His ways are perfect, says Psalm 18:30.  And through His help, we are strengthened. 

The next time you need to speak up or hold it in, praise Him for being a God who listens. And then pour out your heart before Him. Your words are safe with Him. 

Further Reading:
Psalm 139:1-18.

For more on connecting more closely with God, and with others, see my books, The New Loneliness and The New Loneliness Devotional. 

When emotions feel tangled or words won&rsquo;t come out right, God invites you to pour out your heart to Him as a safe refuge. Psalm 62:8 reminds us that whether we speak freely or sit silently, God listens closely and welcomes every concern we bring before Him.
Highlights
<ul data-start="291" data-end="831">
<li data-start="291" data-end="360">
God invites you to pour out your heart&mdash;without fear or filtering.
</li>
<li data-start="361" data-end="453">
Whether you process internally or externally, God can handle your words or your silence.
</li>
<li data-start="454" data-end="527">
God is a refuge, not threatened by emotion or overwhelmed by honesty.
</li>
<li data-start="528" data-end="614">
When words fail, the Holy Spirit helps express what&rsquo;s on your heart (Romans 8:26).
</li>
<li data-start="615" data-end="685">
God bends down to listen, drawing closer rather than pulling away.
</li>
<li data-start="686" data-end="757">
David modeled honest expression through prayer, music, and worship.
</li>
<li data-start="758" data-end="831">God can communicate what you cannot find words to say&mdash;even to others.</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
Pouring Out Your Heart&nbsp;
By Cindi McMenamin
Bible Reading: Trust in Him at all times, you people;&nbsp;
Pour out your hearts before Him;
God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8 NASB)
Do you ever long for a safe place to pour out your heart?&nbsp;
Some people are internal processors. They run thoughts through their minds and at times find it difficult to verbally express what&rsquo;s on their hearts.&nbsp;
At times, I wish I were that way. To the contrary, I struggle with keeping it all inside. As a verbal or external processor, I repeat instructions aloud to make sure I understand them. And I express my thoughts verbally as a way of sorting through them. To my husband, who is an internal processor, that&rsquo;s exhausting at times. For me, it&rsquo;s essential. To hold it in is to put a stopper on my heart, and I feel I will suffocate. Until pent-up feelings eventually blow, like an eruption of emotion that can be overwhelming to those I love the most. In the aftermath of a gush of words, there can sometimes be regret.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But God is not threatened by my words&mdash;or yours. And He&rsquo;s not irritated by our silence, either. He tells us, in His Word, to pour out our hearts before Him, and then He tells us He is a refuge, a safe place&mdash;we don&rsquo;t need to fear what we said or the words we withheld. He knows, and can handle them all&mdash;or none at all.&nbsp;
And if you&rsquo;re one who struggles with how to verbally express how you feel, or when you do, you choose the wrong words, Romans 8:26 tells us His Spirit will communicate with yours and express your very heart to your Heavenly Father. I love how the Contemporary English Version renders Psalm 62:8: &ldquo;Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each of your concerns. God is our place of safety.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Could you use a safe place when it comes to bearing your soul? Do you need a refuge, a place to hide, when you&rsquo;re not&nbsp;ready to express how you feel? God is there for us whenever we need to process our thoughts and feelings. He is the Ultimate Listener and the Perfect Communicator. He is the Quiet Encourager and our Comforting Presence.&nbsp;
Psalm 116:2 in the New Living Translation says: &ldquo;Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!&rdquo;&nbsp; I love how that verse indicates He will come near us, rather than walk away, when we have something we need to say. He will draw closer&mdash;in order to listen carefully&mdash;when He knows we struggle with how to express what&rsquo;s on our hearts, or how to filter our words. As a father with an ear bent toward his loving child, our God will listen. So, pour it out. Or keep it in, and just close your eyes and reflect on being in His presence. He knows exactly what you need to say. He can hear your unspoken words, too.
I tend to think David, the psalmist, needed to write music and lyrics in order to express his heart. And I believe he counted on God to help him find words for what he felt, so he could express those words to God and sing them back to Him. In doing so, he experienced God&rsquo;s strength in the midst of his weakness.&nbsp;
What do you need to express to someone today, while you struggle to find the right words? Can you tell it to God instead, or ask Him to search your mind and thoughts and help you convey what you need to say to someone else? Many times, when I&rsquo;m at a loss for how to say something to someone at just the right time and in just the right way, I&rsquo;ve asked my heavenly Father to convey to that person what&rsquo;s on my heart without me having to say anything. He has an amazing way of touching someone&rsquo;s heart and making them &ldquo;hear&rdquo; what I really wanted to say to them, but never found the words to do so.&nbsp;
Oh, the overwhelming, astounding love of God. All His ways are perfect, says Psalm 18:30.&nbsp; And through His help, we are strengthened.&nbsp;
The next time you need to speak up or hold it in, praise Him for being a God who listens. And then pour out your heart before Him. Your words are safe with Him.&nbsp;
Further Reading: Psalm 139:1-18.
For more on connecting more closely with God, and with others, see my books, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736989641/?bestFormat=true&amp;k=the%20new%20loneliness&amp;ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_18_de&amp;crid=78LFQ00QV3CW&amp;sprefix=The%20New%20loneliness">The New Loneliness</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Loneliness-Devotional-Closer-Connection/dp/0736989250/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S9YRHB4MSKZR&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TmMnSOVvCMTwhHlx85y3XjGXf3_3YngV6Aac9qHg--TC22sSLZWj6K5tsD_Nn8bGKOq6RQ9vX9-WoB69FeJrtS4-v-oYNbRh8WrQ2Fy1ZoQcfajvANjvlhX">The New Loneliness Devotional</a>.&nbsp;

Pouring Out Your Heart

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ed8aa3cd-9dcf-4000-9def-b3ca013c9c58/transcript

Trusting God in times of trouble anchors your heart when life feels heavy, exhausting, or uncertain. Nahum 1:7 reminds us that God’s goodness doesn’t change with seasons or circumstances—He is a steady refuge who deeply cares for those who choose to trust Him.

Highlights


Trouble is part of life, but God promises His presence through it.


God is a refuge—safe, reliable, and unshaken by your circumstances.


His goodness is constant, not dependent on your emotions or environment.


God cares personally about your sadness, stress, and unanswered prayers.


Trusting God means releasing control and surrendering outcomes to Him.


Rest comes when we stop striving and lean into God’s care.


God’s presence provides the warmth and light we need in dark seasons.

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

Trust God to Care for You
By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” – Nahum 1:7, NIV 

During the winter – when the days are shortest, the weather is coldest, and the festive energy of the holidays has worn off – many people struggle with feeling sad and tired. The winter can feel like an unending time of trouble since it’s a dark, cold season that seems to drag on forever. But in this fallen world, there are so many challenges that you can experience trouble anytime. 

Thankfully, this Bible verse reminds you that God is a refuge you can turn to in times of trouble. 

A refuge is a safe place with reliable help. God is the ultimate refuge for you, whenever you’re facing any kind of trouble. God is always purely good. He doesn’t change with the seasons or with your feelings. God’s goodness is a constant truth you can build your life on. 

The Bible doesn’t promise that you won’t experience trouble. In fact, it often acknowledges that trouble is a part of life in this broken world. Jesus says straight out in John 16:33 that: “in this world you will have trouble”. But he adds in that same verse: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Nahum 1:7 assures you that you don't have to face trouble alone. You can take refuge in God, who is completely trustworthy in every situation. 

The second part of this verse gives you the confidence that God “cares for those who trust in him.” The same God who created the vast universe and knows every star by name cares about the specific challenges you’re facing right now. He cares about the sadness and stress you’re feeling, and he hears your prayers and plans to answer them. 

When other people don’t really care about how sad or exhausted you feel, you can relax and be honest with God. God will listen to how you really feel, and he really cares. But God also asks you to trust him. Trust is the key that unlocks God’s care in your life. 

How can you trust God to care for you? You need to let go of the need to control the outcomes of the troubling situations you’re facing. Just like you can’t control the temperature or the amount of daylight in winter, and you can’t force yourself to feel better. But you can choose to surrender your struggle to God, and you can trust that God will help you with whatever you need when you ask for his help. 

So, talk with God honestly. Share all of your difficult feelings with God, and tell him you’re choosing to trust him to help you with what you need. Then, rest in the reality that God will keep his promises. God promises to be a refuge for you in times of trouble. He promises to care for you when you trust him. So, choose to believe that God will really do that! 

In the cold, dark days of winter, trusting God allows you to stop worrying about finding the warmth and light you need. Instead, you get to rest in the warmth and light of God’s presence with you. You can take a deep breath and remember that God’s goodness is your greatest resource. God is watching over you, guiding you, and providing for you – even in times of trouble. 

Take the pressure off yourself to be cheerful when you’re feeling sad, or to be productive when you’re tired. Just focus on connecting with God’s presence with you, and trusting God to help you. God is good, he is your refuge, and he cares for you. Let God’s care be the strength that gets you through times of trouble. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to trust God to care for you in times of trouble, reflect on these questions: 
What kind of trouble are you currently facing?
How does knowing that God is a refuge for you change how you view the trouble you’re going through right now? Does it feel less overwhelming? 
What’s a situation in your life where you’re trying to control the outcome? How can you trust God to help you with that situation so you can relax and experience God’s best for you? 
When was a time in the past when you were going through a time of trouble and God cared for you then? 
How can you remind yourself this week to trust God more when you’re feeling sad or tired? 

Further Reading:
John 16:33
Psalm 46:1
Psalm 91:2
Isaiah 41:10
1 Peter 5:7

Trusting God in times of trouble anchors your heart when life feels heavy, exhausting, or uncertain. Nahum 1:7 reminds us that God&rsquo;s goodness doesn&rsquo;t change with seasons or circumstances&mdash;He is a steady refuge who deeply cares for those who choose to trust Him.
Highlights
<ul data-start="294" data-end="802">
<li data-start="294" data-end="364">
Trouble is part of life, but God promises His presence through it.
</li>
<li data-start="365" data-end="436">
God is a refuge&mdash;safe, reliable, and unshaken by your circumstances.
</li>
<li data-start="437" data-end="513">
His goodness is constant, not dependent on your emotions or environment.
</li>
<li data-start="514" data-end="590">
God cares personally about your sadness, stress, and unanswered prayers.
</li>
<li data-start="591" data-end="665">
Trusting God means releasing control and surrendering outcomes to Him.
</li>
<li data-start="666" data-end="728">
Rest comes when we stop striving and lean into God&rsquo;s care.
</li>
<li data-start="729" data-end="802">
God&rsquo;s presence provides the warmth and light we need in dark seasons.
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Full Transcript Below:
Trust God to Care for You By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,&rdquo; &ndash; Nahum 1:7, NIV&nbsp;
During the winter &ndash; when the days are shortest, the weather is coldest, and the festive energy of the holidays has worn off &ndash; many people struggle with feeling sad and tired. The winter can feel like an unending time of trouble since it&rsquo;s a dark, cold season that seems to drag on forever. But in this fallen world, there are so many challenges that you can experience trouble anytime.&nbsp;
Thankfully, this Bible verse reminds you that God is a refuge you can turn to in times of trouble.&nbsp;
A refuge is a safe place with reliable help. God is the ultimate refuge for you, whenever you&rsquo;re facing any kind of trouble.<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/give-thanks-for-gods-constant-goodness-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> God is always purely good</a>. He doesn&rsquo;t change with the seasons or with your feelings. God&rsquo;s goodness is a constant truth you can build your life on.&nbsp;
The Bible doesn&rsquo;t promise that you won&rsquo;t experience trouble. In fact, it often acknowledges that trouble is a part of life in this broken world. Jesus says straight out in John 16:33 that: &ldquo;in this world you will have trouble&rdquo;. But he adds in that same verse: &ldquo;But take heart! I have overcome the world.&rdquo; Nahum 1:7 assures you that you don't have to face trouble alone. You can take refuge in God, who is completely trustworthy in every situation.&nbsp;
The second part of this verse gives you the confidence that God &ldquo;cares for those who trust in him.&rdquo; The same God who created the vast universe and knows every star by name cares about the specific challenges you&rsquo;re facing right now. He cares about the sadness and stress you&rsquo;re feeling, and<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/does-prayer-really-work.html"> he hears your prayers and plans to answer them</a>.&nbsp;
When other people don&rsquo;t really care about how sad or exhausted you feel, you can relax and be honest with God. God will listen to how you really feel, and he really cares. But God also asks you to trust him. Trust is the key that unlocks God&rsquo;s care in your life.&nbsp;
How can you trust God to care for you? You need to let go of the need to control the outcomes of the troubling situations you&rsquo;re facing. Just like you can&rsquo;t control the temperature or the amount of daylight in winter, and you can&rsquo;t force yourself to feel better. But you can choose to surrender your struggle to God, and you can trust that God will help you with whatever you need when you ask for his help.&nbsp;
So, talk with God honestly. Share all of your difficult feelings with God, and tell him you&rsquo;re choosing to trust him to help you with what you need. Then, rest in the reality that God will keep his promises. God promises to be a refuge for you in times of trouble. He promises to care for you when you trust him. So, choose to believe that God will really do that!&nbsp;
In the cold, dark days of winter, trusting God allows you to stop worrying about finding the warmth and light you need. Instead, you get to rest in the warmth and light of God&rsquo;s presence with you. You can take a deep breath and remember that God&rsquo;s goodness is your greatest resource. God is watching over you, guiding you, and providing for you &ndash; even in times of trouble.&nbsp;
Take the pressure off yourself to be cheerful when you&rsquo;re feeling sad, or to be productive when you&rsquo;re tired. Just focus on<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-notice-god-with-you-throughout-your-day.html"> connecting with God&rsquo;s presence with you</a>, and trusting God to help you. God is good, he is your refuge, and he cares for you. Let God&rsquo;s care be the strength that gets you through times of trouble.&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why it&rsquo;s important to trust God to care for you in times of trouble, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What kind of trouble are you currently facing?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does knowing that God is a refuge for you change how you view the trouble you&rsquo;re going through right now? Does it feel less overwhelming?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s a situation in your life where you&rsquo;re trying to control the outcome? How can you trust God to help you with that situation so you can relax and experience God&rsquo;s best for you?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">When was a time in the past when you were going through a time of trouble and God cared for you then?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you remind yourself this week to trust God more when you&rsquo;re feeling sad or tired?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading: John 16:33 Psalm 46:1 Psalm 91:2 Isaiah 41:10 1 Peter 5:7

Trust God to Care for You

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Avoiding the Pitfall of Pride

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