Unlike our human parenting goals, our Father’s plan for His children is dependence. He did not design us to grow up and walk without His support. He doesn’t intend for us to do life on our own until we run into trouble that’s overwhelming.  - Annie Yorty

SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:

Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/
Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/

Unlike our human parenting goals, our Father’s plan for His children is dependence. He did not design us to grow up and walk without His support. He doesn’t intend for us to do life on our own until we run into trouble that’s overwhelming.  - Annie Yorty
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

God Carries You

Is protecting your peace selfish, or is it biblical? When daily demands, stress, conflict, and constant noise leave you feeling exhausted, setting healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable. But the Bible shows that protecting your peace can be a way to care for your spiritual well-being and reconnect with God. In Luke 5:16, Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, demonstrating that even amid a demanding ministry, time alone with the Father mattered. Rather than allowing busyness, fear, or other people’s expectations to control your life, you can follow Jesus’ example by making room for prayer, rest, and a heart grounded in God’s presence.

Highlights


Discover why protecting your peace is biblical and how Jesus modeled solitude and prayer in Luke 5:16.


Learn how quiet time with God can restore your spirit, refocus your heart, and help you carry life’s burdens.


Explore how Jesus sleeping during a storm demonstrates trust in God even when circumstances feel frightening.


Understand how rest can become an opportunity to exercise faith rather than give in to worry.


See how Jesus’ silence before false accusations reveals the strength of responding with wisdom instead of reacting in anger.


Identify healthy boundaries that help you communicate clearly and protect your spiritual and emotional well-being.


Reflect on practical ways to reconnect with God, surrender your fears, and cultivate peace in stressful seasons.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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:

3 Reasons "Protecting Your Peace" Isn't Selfish, It's Biblical

By: Lia Girard

Bible Reading:

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

– Luke 5:16, NIV 

“Protecting my peace” is a popular saying these days. Possibly because in a world that’s developing at warp speed, peace feels harder to find, and nearly impossible to guard and honor. Sometimes “I’m protecting my peace” is the only way you and I know how to say, “I’m exhausted and can’t think straight,” or even “I need to figure out a sleep schedule.” 

But beyond any scattered desires to turn down noise or declutter, protecting the gift of peace that Jesus provides is far more than simple self-care. It’s a sacred practice that invites you to experience a peace that surpasses understanding. And to help you grasp the importance of protecting this peace, here are three of many reasons Jesus modeled it in the Bible.
 Jesus chose peace to reconnect with God.

Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” This tiny-but-mighty eight-word bit of scripture proves that even God prioritizes peaceful solitude—so you can, too. Jesus encourages you to remove yourself from crowded, overstimulating, demanding places, to go somewhere alone.

Following Jesus’ example, you can use this alone time to recenter yourself and reconnect your heart to God’s will. When the only sound is your prayer or your breath, you may more easily sense his supernatural presence. Here, you can ask God to refill your empty spirit and tend to your weary soul. Protect this habit of going to a quiet place to pray, because it reminds you that you can rely on God to lift your heavy burdens.
 Jesus still slept amid the storm.

If you wonder whether getting enough sleep is important for your faith journey, just look to Jesus’ example in the book of Mark. In the middle of a “furious squall” while waves careened over their boat, Mark 4:38-40 says:

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

I love that Jesus lives out what he teaches. His burning question to disciples who were panicking and wondering if God even cares was, “Do you still have no faith?” I like to believe that this is Jesus’ best living proof of Psalm 4:8, which says, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." 

When you don’t allow yourself the peace of sleep because you choose to fret, you’re missing out on an opportunity to exercise your faith. 
 Jesus held onto the truth in silence, instead of being triggered into a fight.

In the book of Matthew, when Jesus is being cruelly and falsely accused in front of Pilate, Jesus chooses not to fight back. Matthew 27:12-14 describes the scene:

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.

Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”

But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

In a violent and evil event such as this, Jesus knew his accusers had no genuine desire to know the truth. He knew launching into any verbal defense would not change their hearts. Remaining silent is a bold demonstration of something I always like to say to my kids: “The truth is your strength.” 

Jesus demonstrates that he had no ego to defend. So he remains at peace and allows his accusers to expose their maniacal malice. He refuses to get riled up by a trial rigged against him. His silence proves that remaining peaceful is courageous protection of inner resolve. 

So if you ever feel your calm getting tossed around by demands, circumstances, or lies, know that God is offering you a way out. You can choose to protect the peace he gives you.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you think about ways you can reconnect with God and reorient your heart toward faith (instead of fear or anger), consider these questions:
What time of day or evening can I set aside to be alone with God?
What fear am I holding tightly that I can instead place in God’s hands?
What healthy boundary can I establish for myself so that I can communicate clearly, rather than simply argue?

Further Reading:

Hebrews 13:5 

John 2:24-25

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:19 

 

Is protecting your peace selfish, or is it biblical? When daily demands, stress, conflict, and constant noise leave you feeling exhausted, setting healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable. But the Bible shows that protecting your peace can be a way to care for your spiritual well-being and reconnect with God. In Luke 5:16, Jesus regularly withdrew to quiet places to pray, demonstrating that even amid a demanding ministry, time alone with the Father mattered. Rather than allowing busyness, fear, or other people&rsquo;s expectations to control your life, you can follow Jesus&rsquo; example by making room for prayer, rest, and a heart grounded in God&rsquo;s presence.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Discover why protecting your peace is biblical and how Jesus modeled solitude and prayer in Luke 5:16.
</li>
<li>
Learn how quiet time with God can restore your spirit, refocus your heart, and help you carry life&rsquo;s burdens.
</li>
<li>
Explore how Jesus sleeping during a storm demonstrates trust in God even when circumstances feel frightening.
</li>
<li>
Understand how rest can become an opportunity to exercise faith rather than give in to worry.
</li>
<li>
See how Jesus&rsquo; silence before false accusations reveals the strength of responding with wisdom instead of reacting in anger.
</li>
<li>
Identify healthy boundaries that help you communicate clearly and protect your spiritual and emotional well-being.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on practical ways to reconnect with God, surrender your fears, and cultivate peace in stressful seasons.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
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:
3 Reasons "Protecting Your Peace" Isn't Selfish, It's Biblical
By: Lia Girard
Bible Reading:
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
&ndash;&nbsp;Luke 5:16, NIV&nbsp;
&ldquo;Protecting my peace&rdquo; is a popular saying these days. Possibly because in a world that&rsquo;s developing at warp speed, peace feels harder to find, and nearly impossible to guard and honor. Sometimes &ldquo;I&rsquo;m protecting my peace&rdquo; is the only way you and I know how to say, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m exhausted and can&rsquo;t think straight,&rdquo; or even &ldquo;I need to figure out a sleep schedule.&rdquo;&nbsp;
But beyond any scattered desires to turn down noise or declutter, protecting the gift of peace that Jesus provides is far more than simple self-care. It&rsquo;s a sacred practice that invites you to experience a peace that surpasses understanding. And to help you grasp the importance of protecting this peace, here are three of many reasons Jesus modeled it in the Bible.
<ol>
<li> Jesus chose peace to reconnect with God.</li>
</ol>
Luke 5:16 says, &ldquo;But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.&rdquo; This tiny-but-mighty eight-word bit of scripture proves that even God prioritizes peaceful solitude&mdash;so you can, too. Jesus encourages you to remove yourself from crowded, overstimulating, demanding places, to go somewhere alone.
Following Jesus&rsquo; example, you can use this alone time to recenter yourself and reconnect your heart to God&rsquo;s will. When the only sound is your prayer or your breath, you may more easily sense his supernatural presence. Here, you can ask God to refill your empty spirit and tend to your weary soul. Protect this habit of going to a quiet place to pray, because it reminds you that you can rely on God to lift your heavy burdens.
<ol>
<li> Jesus still slept amid the storm.</li>
</ol>
If you wonder whether getting enough sleep is important for your faith journey, just look to Jesus&rsquo; example in the book of Mark. In the middle of a &ldquo;furious squall&rdquo; while waves careened over their boat, Mark 4:38-40 says:
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, &ldquo;Teacher, don&rsquo;t you care if we drown?&rdquo; He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, &ldquo;Quiet! Be still!&rdquo; Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, &ldquo;Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?&rdquo;
I love that Jesus lives out what he teaches. His burning question to disciples who were panicking and wondering if God even cares was, &ldquo;Do you still have no faith?&rdquo; I like to believe that this is Jesus&rsquo; best living proof of Psalm 4:8, which says, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."&nbsp;
When you don&rsquo;t allow yourself the peace of sleep because you choose to fret, you&rsquo;re missing out on an opportunity to exercise your faith.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> Jesus held onto the truth in silence, instead of being triggered into a fight.</li>
</ol>
In the book of Matthew, when Jesus is being cruelly and falsely accused in front of Pilate, Jesus chooses not to fight back. Matthew 27:12-14 describes the scene:
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.
Then Pilate asked him, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?&rdquo;
But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge&mdash;to the great amazement of the governor.
In a violent and evil event such as this, Jesus knew his accusers had no genuine desire to know the truth. He knew launching into any verbal defense would not change their hearts. Remaining silent is a bold demonstration of something I always like to say to my kids: &ldquo;The truth is your strength.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Jesus demonstrates that he had no ego to defend. So he remains at peace and allows his accusers to expose their maniacal malice. He refuses to get riled up by a trial rigged against him. His silence proves that remaining peaceful is courageous protection of inner resolve.&nbsp;
So if you ever feel your calm getting tossed around by demands, circumstances, or lies, know that God is offering you a way out. You can choose to protect the peace he gives you.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you think about ways you can reconnect with God and reorient your heart toward faith (instead of fear or anger), consider these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What time of day or evening can I set aside to be alone with God?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What fear am I holding tightly that I can instead place in God&rsquo;s hands?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What healthy boundary can I establish for myself so that I can communicate clearly, rather than simply argue?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Hebrews 13:5&nbsp;
John 2:24-25
Romans 12:2
Romans 12:19&nbsp;
&nbsp;

3 Reasons “Protecting Your Peace” Isn’t Selfish - It’s Biblical

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/96921fd7-f225-45d5-a4fe-b4e800d4a085/transcript

Discover how the Holy Spirit’s intercession offers hope when you feel too weary, discouraged, or heartbroken to pray. God knows you intimately and understands what you need before you can express it. Even when your only prayer is a quiet plea for help, you can trust that He is present and attentive to your pain. Learn how to bring your deepest emotions and hardest struggles to God without fear or shame, deepen your relationship with Him during difficult seasons, and rest in the assurance that you are never alone. When words fail, God’s love and the Spirit’s intercession remain.

Highlights


Understand what Romans 8:26-27 teaches about the Holy Spirit interceding for us in our weakness.


Find comfort in knowing God hears you even when you cannot find the words to pray.


Discover how the Holy Spirit helps carry your deepest needs to God when life’s trials feel overwhelming.


Remember that God remains present even when He feels distant during difficult seasons.


Learn why you can bring your deepest emotions, fears, and struggles to God without pretending to have everything together.


Find encouragement to trust God through financial stress, family difficulties, illness, and other ongoing hardships.


Reflect on what you have struggled to bring to God and take a step toward Him in honest, heartfelt prayer.

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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:

The Lord Intercedes for Us
By: Michelle Lazurek

Bible Reading:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” - Romans 8:26-27

It was a summer of trial. It was one thing after another, with no end in sight. My husband and I prayed together and clung to God's promises. We read the Word and hoped God would lessen the trials and be a little more merciful. But it never stopped. My husband’s income became volatile. My daughter’s car died, right after her hours were dramatically reduced at her job. My son moved away with no opportunity to see him in the near future. It was all too much. For several months afterward, trials kept coming hard and fast; they were actually comical. Each week brought something new to our home that we had to fix. One night, as I got into bed, I considered praying. However, I had no words to pray. 

Instead, I repeated the word “help” in my mind. The tears streamed down my face and onto my pillow; I remembered this verse in that moment. This is what it's like for the Holy Spirit to intervene for us with wordless groans. The Spirit knows exactly what we need even when we cannot articulate or formulate the words to pray in an intelligible language. When I’ve been in so much pain due to illness, I’ll groan to find relief from the pain. This is why the Spirit groans—to help find us relief from our pain. 

The good news is that because God knows us intimately and knows everything about us, he already knows what we need before we express it. The genius of the gospel is that we don't need to have the right words or say exactly what we need to express. Even when we don't pray and ask for exactly what we need, the Holy Spirit’s love and omniscience carry our requests to His ears. 

Isn’t it nice to know we don’t have to have it all together to have an intimate relationship with God? We have all gone through difficult trials in our lives. But some seasons seem harder than others. When it feels as if God is being relentless and allowing trials to transform our character, we can take solace in knowing that we don't need to pray the right words—or even pray any words at all. All we need to do is come to the Spirit with a contrite heart, and he will do the rest.

Is there something that you have not taken the time to pray for? 

Is there something that you've not brought to God because it's simply too difficult for you to express? Perhaps you have a wayward child, a difficult relationship, or some other hardship that is preventing you from having an intimate relationship with God. Everyone goes through dry spiritual times. Simply because God feels distant does not mean he is. Instead, he is always present with us. Even if we cannot feel his presence, we can take comfort in knowing he is with us, knows exactly what we need, and his Spirit intercedes for us. 

Don’t be afraid to bring to God your deepest, darkest feelings. It is not unknown to God. In fact, it is downright silly to hide our deepest feelings from God because he knows us so intimately—he even knows how many hairs are on our heads! God wants us to come to him with our feelings because he loves us. He never asks us to be perfect to be a part of God’s kingdom. 

Father, thank you for knowing us intimately. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our advocate, even in times of great trial. Take comfort in knowing that you are interceding for us with groans that only God can hear and understand. Remind us that God will answer our deepest groanings. Amen.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What is an area of your life that you have difficulty bringing to God? Take a moment to bring it to Him now. 

Further Reading:

Matthew 26:49

Discover how the Holy Spirit&rsquo;s intercession offers hope when you feel too weary, discouraged, or heartbroken to pray. God knows you intimately and understands what you need before you can express it. Even when your only prayer is a quiet plea for help, you can trust that He is present and attentive to your pain. Learn how to bring your deepest emotions and hardest struggles to God without fear or shame, deepen your relationship with Him during difficult seasons, and rest in the assurance that you are never alone. When words fail, God&rsquo;s love and the Spirit&rsquo;s intercession remain.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
Understand what Romans 8:26-27 teaches about the Holy Spirit interceding for us in our weakness.
</li>
<li>
Find comfort in knowing God hears you even when you cannot find the words to pray.
</li>
<li>
Discover how the Holy Spirit helps carry your deepest needs to God when life&rsquo;s trials feel overwhelming.
</li>
<li>
Remember that God remains present even when He feels distant during difficult seasons.
</li>
<li>
Learn why you can bring your deepest emotions, fears, and struggles to God without pretending to have everything together.
</li>
<li>
Find encouragement to trust God through financial stress, family difficulties, illness, and other ongoing hardships.
</li>
<li>
Reflect on what you have struggled to bring to God and take a step toward Him in honest, heartfelt prayer.
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
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:
The Lord Intercedes for Us By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading: &ldquo;In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit&nbsp;himself intercedes for us&nbsp;through wordless groans.&nbsp;And he who searches our hearts&nbsp;knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes&nbsp;for God&rsquo;s people in accordance with the will of God.&rdquo; - Romans 8:26-27
It was a summer of trial. It was one thing after another, with no end in sight. My husband and I prayed together and clung to God's promises. We read the Word and hoped God would lessen the trials and be a little more merciful. But it never stopped. My husband&rsquo;s income became volatile. My daughter&rsquo;s car died, right after her hours were dramatically reduced at her job. My son moved away with no opportunity to see him in the near future. It was all too much. For several months afterward, trials kept coming hard and fast; they were actually comical. Each week brought something new to our home that we had to fix. One night, as I got into bed, I considered praying. However, I had no words to pray.&nbsp;
Instead, I repeated the word &ldquo;help&rdquo; in my mind. The tears streamed down my face and onto my pillow; I remembered this verse in that moment. This is what it's like for the Holy Spirit to intervene for us with wordless groans. The Spirit knows exactly what we need even when we cannot articulate or formulate the words to pray in an intelligible language. When I&rsquo;ve been in so much pain due to illness, I&rsquo;ll groan to find relief from the pain. This is why the Spirit groans&mdash;to help find us relief from our pain.&nbsp;
The good news is that because God knows us intimately and knows everything about us, he already knows what we need before we express it. The genius of the gospel is that we don't need to have the right words or say exactly what we need to express. Even when we don't pray and ask for exactly what we need, the Holy Spirit&rsquo;s love and omniscience carry our requests to His ears.&nbsp;
Isn&rsquo;t it nice to know we don&rsquo;t have to have it all together to have an intimate relationship with God? We have all gone through difficult trials in our lives. But some seasons seem harder than others. When it feels as if God is being relentless and allowing trials to transform our character, we can take solace in knowing that we don't need to pray the right words&mdash;or even pray any words at all. All we need to do is come to the Spirit with a contrite heart, and he will do the rest.
Is there something that you have not taken the time to pray for?&nbsp;
Is there something that you've not brought to God because it's simply too difficult for you to express? Perhaps you have a wayward child, a difficult relationship, or some other hardship that is preventing you from having an intimate relationship with God. Everyone goes through dry spiritual times. Simply because God feels distant does not mean he is. Instead, he is always present with us. Even if we cannot feel his presence, we can take comfort in knowing he is with us, knows exactly what we need, and his Spirit intercedes for us.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t be afraid to bring to God your deepest, darkest feelings. It is not unknown to God. In fact, it is downright silly to hide our deepest feelings from God because he knows us so intimately&mdash;he even knows how many hairs are on our heads! God wants us to come to him with our feelings because he loves us. He never asks us to be perfect to be a part of God&rsquo;s kingdom.&nbsp;
Father, thank you for knowing us intimately. Thank you for sending your Spirit to be our advocate, even in times of great trial. Take comfort in knowing that you are interceding for us with groans that only God can hear and understand. Remind us that God will answer our deepest groanings. Amen.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What is an area of your life that you have difficulty bringing to God? Take a moment to bring it to Him now.&nbsp;
Further Reading:
Matthew 26:49

The Lord Intercedes for Us

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ebd92331-2c46-47fc-8711-b4e800d49d2c/transcript

How do you overcome fear and anxiety when something frightening or uncertain happens? Whether you’re worried about your health, struggling with work stress, facing relationship challenges, or fearing for someone you love, anxious thoughts can quickly replace peace with panic. Isaiah 41:10 offers a powerful reminder that you don’t have to face frightening circumstances alone: God promises to be with you, strengthen you, help you, and uphold you. When fear threatens to take control, His presence gives you a place to turn for comfort, courage, and hope.

Highlights


What Isaiah 41:10 teaches about trusting God when fear and uncertainty overwhelm you


How fear can affect your thoughts, emotions, and ability to experience God’s peace


Practical ways to respond to anxiety about work, health, family, and relationships through prayer and faith


Why you don’t have to face frightening circumstances or difficult decisions in your own strength


How remembering God’s past faithfulness can strengthen your confidence in His promises


Ways to redirect fearful thoughts by focusing on Scripture, prayer, and God’s constant presence


Reflection questions to help you identify your biggest fears and learn to place your worries in God’s hands

Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

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Full Transcript Below:

What to Do When Fear Knocks on Your Door

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:
“Do not be afraid – I am with you! I am your God – let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.” – Isaiah 41:10, GNT

When my husband Russ called me from his hotel room in China, fear started to creep up in my mind. Russ was traveling alone on a business trip, waiting for a Monday meeting, when he told me he was feeling sick and wasn’t sure where to find medical care in a country where he didn’t speak the language. I urged him to ask someone at his hotel’s front desk for help, but before I could even finish my sentence, he said he had to lie down – and then our phone call got cut off. Try as I might, I couldn’t get back in touch with him. Immediately, fear knocked on my door, filling my mind with terrifying thoughts that Russ could die all alone halfway across the world. As I felt overwhelming fear, I had a choice: either give in to panic or turn to God. I chose to respond with prayer and trust by letting go of my worries and placing my husband into the hands of God, who was right there with him in that hotel room.

Fear has a way of showing up unexpectedly and uninvited. It demands your complete attention, trying to distract you from God’s love and replace your peace with panic. When fear knocks on your door, it wants to control your thoughts and feelings so much that you may be convinced you’re helpless against fear. But you don’t have to open the door to fear and let it take over your life. You have a powerful, loving Heavenly Father who promises to stand with you through every scary situation, no matter how intimidating the situation appears to be.

Where does fear knock on the door of your life and try to creep in?

Maybe it happens at work, where you face the threat of layoffs, a stressful workload, or a high-stakes project that you don’t know how to handle well. Fear might tell you that your future at your job is ruined. You can overcome that fear with faith by remembering that God is your ultimate provider. Instead of letting panic control your workday, you can take well-being breaks throughout the day to pray, asking God to give you what you need and guide you to the best opportunities.

Or, maybe fear knocks when it comes to your health or the health of someone you love. A troubling symptom or an agonizing wait for test results can make your world feel like it’s spinning out of control. When anxious thoughts of fear creep into your mind, you can fight back with faith by fighting anxiety with God’s help. You can choose to place your body and your loved ones into God’s compassionate hands, since God is the ultimate healer and he cares.

Your relationships can also bring overwhelming fear into your life. You might be terrified of losing a marriage, dealing with a broken friendship, or worrying constantly about your children. When you feel powerless to fix a person or a situation, fear tries to convince you to hold on tighter out of desperation. But if you have faith that God will help you in scary relationship situations, you can overcome that fear and let go for your well-being and the well-being of everyone involved.

God doesn’t expect you to face these scary situations in your own human strength. In Isaiah 41:10, God reminds you that you never have to be afraid because he’s always right beside you. He promises to make you strong, help you, protect you, and save you!

So, when fear tries to distract you, redirect your focus back to God’s promises. Talk to God in prayer and trust God to do everything he promises to do in this powerful verse. No matter how scary it is when fear knocks on your door, you never have to fight the battle alone.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how to respond when fear knocks on your door, reflect on these questions:
What’s the biggest fear knocking on the door of your life right now? 
In what ways does fear usually try to pull your attention away from God? 
How can you let go of your current worries and place them into God’s hands to help you with those situations? 
What’s one past experience where God proved he keeps his promises by helping you through a scary situation? 
How can you remind yourself of God’s powerful presence with you whenever you start to feel overwhelmed by fear?

Further Reading:

Psalm 56:3

2 Timothy 1:7

Psalm 23:4

Philippians 4:6-7

Joshua 1:9

How do you overcome fear and anxiety when something frightening or uncertain happens? Whether you&rsquo;re worried about your health, struggling with work stress, facing relationship challenges, or fearing for someone you love, anxious thoughts can quickly replace peace with panic. Isaiah 41:10 offers a powerful reminder that you don&rsquo;t have to face frightening circumstances alone: God promises to be with you, strengthen you, help you, and uphold you. When fear threatens to take control, His presence gives you a place to turn for comfort, courage, and hope.
Highlights
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
What Isaiah 41:10 teaches about trusting God when fear and uncertainty overwhelm you
</li>
<li>
How fear can affect your thoughts, emotions, and ability to experience God&rsquo;s peace
</li>
<li>
Practical ways to respond to anxiety about work, health, family, and relationships through prayer and faith
</li>
<li>
Why you don&rsquo;t have to face frightening circumstances or difficult decisions in your own strength
</li>
<li>
How remembering God&rsquo;s past faithfulness can strengthen your confidence in His promises
</li>
<li>
Ways to redirect fearful thoughts by focusing on Scripture, prayer, and God&rsquo;s constant presence
</li>
<li>
Reflection questions to help you identify your biggest fears and learn to place your worries in God&rsquo;s hands
</li>
</ul>
Click to Listen to Signs of Life:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
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:
What to Do When Fear Knocks on Your Door
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Do not be afraid &ndash; I am with you! I am your God &ndash; let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.&rdquo; &ndash; Isaiah 41:10, GNT
When my husband Russ called me from his hotel room in China, fear started to creep up in my mind. Russ was traveling alone on a business trip, waiting for a Monday meeting, when he told me he was feeling sick and wasn&rsquo;t sure where to find medical care in a country where he didn&rsquo;t speak the language. I urged him to ask someone at his hotel&rsquo;s front desk for help, but before I could even finish my sentence, he said he had to lie down &ndash; and then our phone call got cut off. Try as I might, I couldn&rsquo;t get back in touch with him. Immediately, fear knocked on my door, filling my mind with terrifying thoughts that Russ could die all alone halfway across the world. As I felt overwhelming fear, I had a choice: either give in to panic or turn to God. I chose to respond with prayer and trust by<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/bible-verses-that-taught-me-not-to-worry-and-how.html"> letting go of my worries</a> and placing my husband<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/lessons-adults-can-learn-from-hes-got-the-whole-world-in-his-hands.html"> into the hands of God</a>, who was right there with him in that hotel room.
Fear has a way of showing up unexpectedly and uninvited. It demands your complete attention, trying to distract you from God&rsquo;s love and replace your peace with panic. When fear knocks on your door, it wants to control your thoughts and feelings so much that you may be convinced you&rsquo;re helpless against fear. But you don&rsquo;t have to open the door to fear and let it take over your life. You have<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/reflections-on-gods-role-as-our-heavenly-father.html"> a powerful, loving Heavenly Father</a> who promises to stand with you through every scary situation, no matter how intimidating the situation appears to be.
Where does fear knock on the door of your life and try to creep in?
Maybe it happens at work, where you face the threat of layoffs, a stressful workload, or a high-stakes project that you don&rsquo;t know how to handle well. Fear might tell you that your future at your job is ruined. You can overcome that fear with faith by remembering that God is your ultimate provider. Instead of letting panic control your workday, you can take well-being breaks throughout the day to pray, asking God to give you what you need and guide you to the best opportunities.
Or, maybe fear knocks when it comes to your health or the health of someone you love. A troubling symptom or an agonizing wait for test results can make your world feel like it&rsquo;s spinning out of control. When anxious thoughts of fear creep into your mind, you can fight back with faith by<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/mental-health/ways-to-let-god-fight-anxiety-for-us.html"> fighting anxiety with God&rsquo;s help</a>. You can choose to place your body and your loved ones into God&rsquo;s compassionate hands, since God is the ultimate healer and he cares.
Your relationships can also bring overwhelming fear into your life. You might be terrified of losing a marriage, dealing with a broken friendship, or worrying constantly about your children. When you feel powerless to fix a person or a situation, fear tries to convince you to hold on tighter out of desperation. But if you have faith that God will help you in scary relationship situations, you can overcome that fear and<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/let-go-for-your-well-being-the-crosswalk-devotional.html"> let go for your well-being</a> and the well-being of everyone involved.
God doesn&rsquo;t expect you to face these scary situations in your own human strength. In Isaiah 41:10, God reminds you that you never have to be afraid because he&rsquo;s always right beside you. He promises to make you strong, help you, protect you, and save you!
So, when fear tries to distract you, redirect your focus back to God&rsquo;s promises. Talk to God in prayer and trust God to do everything he promises to do in this powerful verse. No matter how scary it is when fear knocks on your door, you never have to fight the battle alone.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
As you consider how to respond when fear knocks on your door, reflect on these questions:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s the biggest fear knocking on the door of your life right now?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">In what ways does fear usually try to pull your attention away from God?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you let go of your current worries and place them into God&rsquo;s hands to help you with those situations?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s one past experience where God proved he keeps his promises by helping you through a scary situation?&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How can you remind yourself of God&rsquo;s powerful presence with you whenever you start to feel overwhelmed by fear?</li>
</ul>
Further Reading:
Psalm 56:3
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 23:4
Philippians 4:6-7
Joshua 1:9

What to Do When Fear Knocks on Your Door

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/6991a3e8-698c-43be-8638-b4e800d499ba/transcript

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