Although many are tired, weary, and burdened, our restless world doesn’t offer us many opportunities to rest. - Lynette Kittle

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Although many are tired, weary, and burdened, our restless world doesn’t offer us many opportunities to rest. - Lynette Kittle
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

Finding Rest in Christ in a Restless World

Humility creates space for God to work powerfully in and through our lives. In Luke 1:46–52, Mary’s response to God’s calling shows how choosing worship over worry allows fear to shrink and faith to grow, making room for God’s strength to shine through human weakness.

Highlights


God notices and honors a humble heart.


Mary’s worship shifted her focus from fear to God’s greatness.


Humility helps us trust God with outcomes we can’t control.


Fear keeps us focused on limitations; humility lifts our eyes to God’s power.


God often calls people forward through blessings that feel both exciting and scary.


Choosing worship over worry positions us to receive God’s plans with faith.


God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.

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Full Transcript Below:

God Looks for Humility
By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” – Luke 1:46-52, NIV

Mary had just received news that would completely turn her life upside down: an angel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. The news was wonderful, but also terrifying. Mary was a young, unmarried woman in a society where a pregnancy outside of marriage led to shame and even danger. The angel’s message was the best news possible for the world, but for Mary herself, it must have brought up feelings of fear about what her future would be like.

Still, Mary responds with faith, despite her fear. She focuses on God’s greatness and she celebrates that God has blessed her because God has been mindful of her humility. Mary overcomes her very real fears by changing her perspective. She moves her focus off her humble state and onto God, the Mighty One who is greater than her problems, and who can work through her in powerful ways. Mary’s song of praise is about God, rather than herself. She realizes that if God is powerful enough to save the world through the Messiah, he is certainly powerful enough to take care of her reputation and her safety. God sees humble people like Mary and acts through their lives with great power. 

When have you heard some good news from God that’s a blessing, but also scary? Maybe God is calling you to start working toward making a dream a reality, but you’re afraid that you won’t be able to accomplish that goal, so you’re considering letting that dream go to stay in your comfort zone. Or, maybe God is encouraging you to forgive someone and restore a relationship, but you fear getting hurt again, so you’re neglecting God’s guidance because you want to protect yourself. 

Fear can cause you to miss out on making the decisions God wants you to make, because it directs your attention to only your own circumstances and limitations. When fear is in control, you only perceive the threat and miss the miracle. God’s good news is right there, but you can’t fully receive it because you’re so busy listening to worries in your mind. 

In order to fully hear and embrace the good news God sends you, you must make the same choice Mary did: Choose worship over worry. You can do that when you’re humble, because humility helps you see beyond yourself to God, which inspires you with reverence and awe for God. When you can see how big God really is, your fear shrinks, and you can step into the great plans God has for you because you can trust that God will empower you. God looks for humility when he looks for people to serve in great ways. 

Don't let the fear of what might happen in the future stop you from embracing the blessings God wants to send you. Like Mary, be in a humble state that’s ready to serve God. Then look forward to what God will do through your life! 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider why it’s important to be humble for God to work in great ways through your life, reflect on these questions: 
What “good news” has God given you recently that’s both exciting and scary for you? 
What worries you about moving forward with how God is leading you, and what specific truth about God’s character (like his power or his love) can you remind yourself of to move past your fear? 
Like Mary, how can you focus on God’s unlimited strength rather than on your own limitations? 
In what areas of your life do you struggle to be humble, and how can you choose humility more so you can better hear and obey God’s messages? 
How does Mary’s celebration of God’s strength inspire you to choose worship over worry? 

Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
1 John 4:18
Psalm 56:3
Philippians 4:6-7

 

Humility creates space for God to work powerfully in and through our lives. In Luke 1:46&ndash;52, Mary&rsquo;s response to God&rsquo;s calling shows how choosing worship over worry allows fear to shrink and faith to grow, making room for God&rsquo;s strength to shine through human weakness.
Highlights
<ul data-start="302" data-end="810">
<li data-start="302" data-end="344">
God notices and honors a humble heart.
</li>
<li data-start="345" data-end="411">
Mary&rsquo;s worship shifted her focus from fear to God&rsquo;s greatness.
</li>
<li data-start="412" data-end="475">
Humility helps us trust God with outcomes we can&rsquo;t control.
</li>
<li data-start="476" data-end="557">
Fear keeps us focused on limitations; humility lifts our eyes to God&rsquo;s power.
</li>
<li data-start="558" data-end="645">
God often calls people forward through blessings that feel both exciting and scary.
</li>
<li data-start="646" data-end="725">
Choosing worship over worry positions us to receive God&rsquo;s plans with faith.
</li>
<li data-start="726" data-end="810">
God looks for humility when He wants to accomplish great things through someone.
</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:
God Looks for Humility By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;And Mary said: &lsquo;My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me &ndash; holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.&rdquo; &ndash; Luke 1:46-52, NIV
Mary had just received news that would completely turn her life upside down: an angel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. The news was wonderful, but also terrifying.<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/how-old-was-mary-when-she-had-jesus.html"> Mary was a young, unmarried woman</a> in a society where a pregnancy outside of marriage led to shame and even danger. The angel&rsquo;s message was the best news possible for the world, but for Mary herself, it must have brought up feelings of fear about what her future would be like.
Still, Mary responds with faith, despite her fear. She focuses on God&rsquo;s greatness and she celebrates that God has blessed her because God has been mindful of her humility. Mary overcomes her very real fears by changing her perspective. She moves her focus off her humble state and onto God, the Mighty One who is greater than her problems, and who can work through her in powerful ways. Mary&rsquo;s song of praise is about God, rather than herself. She realizes that if God is powerful enough to save the world through the Messiah, he is certainly powerful enough to take care of her reputation and her safety. God sees humble people like Mary and acts through their lives with great power.&nbsp;
When have you heard some good news from God that&rsquo;s a blessing, but also scary? Maybe God is calling you to start working toward making a dream a reality, but you&rsquo;re afraid that you won&rsquo;t be able to accomplish that goal, so you&rsquo;re considering letting that dream go to stay in your comfort zone. Or, maybe God is encouraging you to forgive someone and restore a relationship, but you fear getting hurt again, so you&rsquo;re neglecting God&rsquo;s guidance because you want to protect yourself.&nbsp;
Fear can cause you to miss out on<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/biblical-truths-to-guide-your-decision-making.html"> making the decisions God wants you to make</a>, because it directs your attention to only your own circumstances and limitations. When fear is in control, you only perceive the threat and miss the miracle. God&rsquo;s good news is right there, but you can&rsquo;t fully receive it because you&rsquo;re so busy listening to worries in your mind.&nbsp;
In order to fully hear and embrace the good news God sends you, you must make the same choice Mary did: Choose worship over worry. You can do that when you&rsquo;re humble, because humility helps you see beyond yourself to God, which<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/wisdom-begins-with-awe-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> inspires you with reverence and awe for God</a>. When you can see how big God really is, your fear shrinks, and you can step into the great plans God has for you because you can trust that God will empower you. God looks for humility when he looks for people to serve in great ways.&nbsp;
Don't let the fear of what might happen in the future stop you from embracing the blessings God wants to send you. Like Mary, be in a humble state that&rsquo;s ready to serve God. Then look forward to what God will do through your life!&nbsp;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider why it&rsquo;s important to be humble for God to work in great ways through your life, reflect on these questions:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What &ldquo;good news&rdquo; has God given you recently that&rsquo;s both exciting and scary for you?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What worries you about moving forward with how God is leading you, and what specific truth about God&rsquo;s character (like his power or his love) can you remind yourself of to move past your fear?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Like Mary, how can you focus on God&rsquo;s unlimited strength rather than on your own limitations?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">In what areas of your life do you struggle to be humble, and how can you<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ibelieve-truth-a-devotional-for-women/humble-yourself-under-gods-mighty-hand.html"> choose humility more</a> so you can better hear and obey God&rsquo;s messages?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How does Mary&rsquo;s celebration of God&rsquo;s strength inspire you to choose worship over worry?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Further Reading: Isaiah 41:10 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 4:18 Psalm 56:3 Philippians 4:6-7
&nbsp;

God Looks for Humility

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1afd9866-ed96-4c93-bc59-b3ca01411d65/transcript

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.

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:

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! 

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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;
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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

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