Our physical sense of smell can remind us of the importance of living lives that give off the spiritual aroma of Christ. So, let’sstay connected to God in prayer and do our best to live in ways that honor him.  - Whitney Hopler

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/

Our physical sense of smell can remind us of the importance of living lives that give off the spiritual aroma of Christ. So, let’s<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/how-to-do-as-philippians-46-says-and-pray-about-everything.html"> </a>stay connected to God in prayer and do our best to live in ways that honor him.  - Whitney Hopler
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

The Aroma of Christ

Romans 7:18-19 highlights the inner struggle every believer faces between sinful desires and the desire to honor God. In this devotional, Aaron D’Anthony Brown challenges Christians to honestly evaluate whether they may be sabotaging their own spiritual growth, relationships, or progress in life. Rather than always blaming circumstances or other people, believers are encouraged to practice self-awareness, humility, and accountability as they confront patterns of unhealthy thinking and behavior.

This devotional reminds readers that spiritual maturity begins with honest reflection and repentance. The Apostle Paul openly acknowledged his battle with sin, showing believers the importance of recognizing personal weaknesses instead of excusing them. Through humility, accountability, and dependence on God, Christians can stop getting in their own way and begin pursuing the righteous life God calls them to live.

Highlights
Romans 7 reveals the ongoing battle between flesh and spirit.
Self-awareness is the first step toward personal and spiritual growth.
Pride can prevent believers from recognizing harmful behaviors.
Accountability helps sharpen and strengthen Christian character.
Excusing sinful habits leads to self-sabotage and spiritual stagnation.
Humility allows believers to receive correction and grow in wisdom.
God calls Christians to actively confront and reject sinful patterns.

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:

Are You Getting in Your Own Way?

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

Bible Reading:
“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19, CSB)

There’s a certain question we should ask ourselves every now and again: Am I getting in my own way?

When we don’t get the outcomes we want in life, blaming our circumstances and other people comes naturally enough. What doesn’t happen as frequently as it should is looking at the man in the mirror.

Recently, I remember talking to a fellow young man about our desire for marriage. Well, we went out to lunch with women from our church. Something we both wanted. For one reason or another, this getting-to-know-you experience led him to talk about an extremely embarrassing incident. Now, who in their right mind would share that on a first date?

Or take, for instance, a buddy of mine who is encountering deep financial strain. The more anyone tries to encourage him, the more he pushes back with a 'woe-is-me' attitude. He seems to want more negativity to fuel what he already exhibits.

These guys are not alone. I’ve battled with my own negative thinking and dwelling. Perhaps you, too, are sabotaging your own success. So, ask yourself, “Am I getting in my own way?”

Intersecting Faith & Life:

After you ask yourself this important question, the answer should be yes. If not, the following steps are especially for you.

Build self-awareness.

The reason Paul was able to write those particular verses in Romans is that he developed some measure of self-awareness. He may not have completely understood why he behaved the way he did, aside from citing his sinful nature, but he understood something was wrong and wrote about it. He acknowledged the problem, and acknowledgment is the first step to finding a solution.

If you want to build self-awareness in your own life, spend some time pausing and reflecting. Yes, this does mean sitting with your thoughts and not your phone. Question yourself about why you do certain things and not others. The better you know yourself, the more you’ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Develop humility. 

Humility is underrated and uncommon. So many of us think we have it, yet fail to recognize just how prideful we are. A good way to measure this virtue is to observe how you handle people who disagree with you. Not just the non-believers, but those people you perceive as less (or more) Christian than you. Have they ever proven you wrong about something? When did that last happen? Is it good that you haven’t been wrong since?

Have people around you to call you out.

Having agreement is nice, but if iron is to sharpen iron, then disagreement is essential. Encouraging one another is nice, but we can do so at the expense of others. Instead of seeking to appease those around us, let’s hold each other accountable and do our best to help others reflect Christ.

If you know you’re a sinner, act like it.

Some of us will openly call ourselves sinners in the abstract on any given Sunday, but on other days of the week, we justify our sinful behavior. People know that they practice poor communication, but don’t change it. Overeat but don’t change it. Say that they’re lazy, but don’t change it.

Does God take sin seriously? If you say yes, don’t say, "He made you that way." Recognize that He hates sin, and try your best to hate it as well. Hate the self-sabotage and do something righteous instead. 

Further Reading (and Listening):

“Wanna Be Happy?” by Kirk Franklin

Galatians 5:17

James 1:14-15

Matthew 26:41

Romans 7:18-19 highlights the inner struggle every believer faces between sinful desires and the desire to honor God. In this devotional, Aaron D&rsquo;Anthony Brown challenges Christians to honestly evaluate whether they may be sabotaging their own spiritual growth, relationships, or progress in life. Rather than always blaming circumstances or other people, believers are encouraged to practice self-awareness, humility, and accountability as they confront patterns of unhealthy thinking and behavior.
This devotional reminds readers that spiritual maturity begins with honest reflection and repentance. The Apostle Paul openly acknowledged his battle with sin, showing believers the importance of recognizing personal weaknesses instead of excusing them. Through humility, accountability, and dependence on God, Christians can stop getting in their own way and begin pursuing the righteous life God calls them to live.
Highlights
<ul data-start="948" data-end="1433">
<li data-section-id="sk5zh" data-start="948" data-end="1011">Romans 7 reveals the ongoing battle between flesh and spirit.</li>
<li data-section-id="7qyz7" data-start="1012" data-end="1084">Self-awareness is the first step toward personal and spiritual growth.</li>
<li data-section-id="w2gviy" data-start="1085" data-end="1150">Pride can prevent believers from recognizing harmful behaviors.</li>
<li data-section-id="16yiul5" data-start="1151" data-end="1217">Accountability helps sharpen and strengthen Christian character.</li>
<li data-section-id="1jhfaa1" data-start="1218" data-end="1291">Excusing sinful habits leads to self-sabotage and spiritual stagnation.</li>
<li data-section-id="zt3qf8" data-start="1292" data-end="1361">Humility allows believers to receive correction and grow in wisdom.</li>
<li data-section-id="1odxzf0" data-start="1362" data-end="1433">God calls Christians to actively confront and reject sinful patterns.</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:
Are You Getting in Your Own Way?
By Aaron D&rsquo;Anthony Brown Bible Reading: &ldquo;For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.&rdquo; (Romans 7:18-19, CSB)
There&rsquo;s a certain question we should ask ourselves every now and again: Am I getting in my own way?
When we don&rsquo;t get the outcomes we want in life, blaming our circumstances and other people comes naturally enough. What doesn&rsquo;t happen as frequently as it should is looking at the man in the mirror.
Recently, I remember talking to a fellow young man about our desire for marriage. Well, we went out to lunch with women from our church. Something we both wanted. For one reason or another, this getting-to-know-you experience led him to talk about an extremely embarrassing incident. Now, who in their right mind would share that on a first date?
Or take, for instance, a buddy of mine who is encountering deep financial strain. The more anyone tries to encourage him, the more he pushes back with a 'woe-is-me' attitude. He seems to want more negativity to fuel what he already exhibits.
These guys are not alone. I&rsquo;ve battled with my own negative thinking and dwelling. Perhaps you, too, are sabotaging your own success. So, ask yourself, &ldquo;Am I getting in my own way?&rdquo;
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
After you ask yourself this important question, the answer should be yes. If not, the following steps are especially for you.
Build self-awareness.
The reason Paul was able to write those particular verses in Romans is that he developed some measure of self-awareness. He may not have completely understood why he behaved the way he did, aside from citing his sinful nature, but he understood something was wrong and wrote about it. He acknowledged the problem, and acknowledgment is the first step to finding a solution.
If you want to build self-awareness in your own life, spend some time pausing and reflecting. Yes, this does mean sitting with your thoughts and not your phone. Question yourself about why you do certain things and not others. The better you know yourself, the more you&rsquo;ll be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Develop humility.&nbsp;
Humility is underrated and uncommon. So many of us think we have it, yet fail to recognize just how prideful we are. A good way to measure this virtue is to observe how you handle people who disagree with you. Not just the non-believers, but those people you perceive as less (or more) Christian than you. Have they ever proven you wrong about something? When did that last happen? Is it good that you haven&rsquo;t been wrong since?
Have people around you to call you out.
Having agreement is nice, but if iron is to sharpen iron, then disagreement is essential. Encouraging one another is nice, but we can do so at the expense of others. Instead of seeking to appease those around us, let&rsquo;s hold each other accountable and do our best to help others reflect Christ.
If you know you&rsquo;re a sinner, act like it.
Some of us will openly call ourselves sinners in the abstract on any given Sunday, but on other days of the week, we justify our sinful behavior. People know that they practice poor communication, but don&rsquo;t change it. Overeat but don&rsquo;t change it. Say that they&rsquo;re lazy, but don&rsquo;t change it.
Does God take sin seriously? If you say yes, don&rsquo;t say, "He made you that way." Recognize that He hates sin, and try your best to hate it as well. Hate the self-sabotage and do something righteous instead.&nbsp;
Further Reading (and Listening):
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-0k9GojM4&amp;pp=ygUca2lyayBmcmFua2xpbiB3YW5uYSBiZSBoYXBweQ%3D%3D">&ldquo;Wanna Be Happy?&rdquo;</a> by Kirk Franklin
Galatians 5:17
James 1:14-15
Matthew 26:41

Are You Getting in Your Own Way?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/942eb70b-8cff-4055-8b16-b4520137947b/transcript

This week we are featuring an episode from "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse". Guest Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan’s Purse Germany office, sheds light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan’s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead.

Resources:

• Listen to “Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,” to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness.

https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/fighting-spiritual-battles-human-trafficking-in-berlin

“We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus … And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.” –Marina Nobiling

Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage—she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed.

“And I had a voice in my head: ‘I want you to live. And you can do it with my help’ … Itwas beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.” – Marina Nobiling

Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ.

Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God’s Word. Marina created a “first aid kit” with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord—nothing can take that away.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1, ESV

If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visitSamaritansPurse.org.

This week we are featuring an episode from "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse". Guest Marina Nobiling, director of national programs at the Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse Germany office, sheds light on the current cultural and spiritual climate of Germany and talked about the ongoing Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse projects in the country. There is an immense need for the Gospel to be preached in Germany and for Bible-believing churches to step up and lead.
Resources:
&bull; Listen to &ldquo;Fighting Spiritual Battles: Human Trafficking in Berlin,&rdquo; to hear more about Alabaster Jar and how God is transforming hearts amid spiritual darkness.
<a href="https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/fighting-spiritual-battles-human-trafficking-in-berlin">https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/podcast/fighting-spiritual-battles-human-trafficking-in-berlin</a>
&ldquo;We want to stand for the Gospel. We want to stand for Jesus &hellip; And we want to show in our programs and projects what it's like to be with Him; to be living with Jesus.&rdquo; &ndash;Marina Nobiling
Before coming to Christ, Marina said she was not merely neutral towards God, she was an enemy. Marina was in bondage&mdash;she battled an eating disorder and anxiety for years to the point of planning to take her own life. But when Marina had an encounter with the Lord, everything changed.
&ldquo;And I had a voice in my head: &lsquo;I want you to live. And you can do it with my help&rsquo; &hellip; Itwas beyond any doubt clear. That's Jesus. My whole life I had the wrong thinking. That's not true. God exists.&rdquo; &ndash; Marina Nobiling
Marina went from believing that the Gospel was an old superstition to knocking on the door of the nearest church, asking to be baptized. She was on fire for God. Marina now takes this compassion to the streets of Berlin, ministering to women who are trapped in prostitution. She remembers what it was like to be in bondage and desires for others like her to be free; to be transformed by the love of Christ.
Life can be hard, and Marina still struggles, but she has something to turn to that cannot be shaken: God&rsquo;s Word. Marina created a &ldquo;first aid kit&rdquo; with Psalms and Scriptures that speak to her when she is fighting lies or feeling weighed down by fears. Her favorite verse, Isaiah 43:1, reminds her that she belongs to the Lord&mdash;nothing can take that away.
&ldquo;But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:&lsquo;Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.&rsquo;&rdquo; &ndash; Isaiah 43:1, ESV
If you&rsquo;d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit<a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/">SamaritansPurse.org</a>.

Bonus: ​From Bondage to Abundance | Featuring "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse"

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ab4e9667-2875-4839-b685-b4470133eb6a/transcript

Nehemiah 8:9-10 reveals a powerful truth for believers struggling with regret, guilt, and shame: God’s grace is stronger than our failures. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how shame often traps Christians in cycles of self-condemnation, replaying past mistakes and fearing they will never truly change. Yet God does not call His children to remain crushed beneath shame. Instead, He invites them to receive His forgiveness, walk in restoration, and find strength through His joy.

Using the story of Israel’s return from exile, this devotional highlights how the people grieved over the consequences of their sin while also experiencing the overwhelming grace and provision of God. Though the rubble of brokenness remained, God wanted His people to rebuild from a place of hope rather than condemnation. In the same way, believers today can trust that God is patiently healing, transforming, and restoring them through His grace.

Highlights
Shame often keeps believers trapped in cycles of fear and self-condemnation.
Self-awareness is an important step toward healing and spiritual growth.
God’s grace meets believers in the middle of their brokenness and failures.
Nehemiah 8 reminds us that “the joy of the Lord” is our strength.
Biblical joy comes from knowing God is present, forgiving, and restoring.
God does not want His children rebuilding their lives from shame.
Healing and transformation often happen gradually through God’s grace.

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:

How God’s Grace Breaks the Cycle of Shame
By: Jennifer Slattery

Bible Reading:
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:9-10

Do you ever lie in bed, replaying your every unkind word or hurtful deed from the day? Do memories of past sins and regrets seize your mind and steal your peace? Do you find yourself looking back with sorrow at the damage your unfiltered words, angry outbursts, or triggered responses caused, longing for a do-over, but also fearful that you’ll forever fall into these unhelpful patterns? 

You’re not alone. People often state that the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. There’s truth to that, likely because we so long to live and love like Jesus. Yet, we often fall short, and not for lack of trying. 

The other day, I sat with a friend broken by a relational conflict she feared would irrevocably fracture the connection she’d been working to build. Her voice quivered as she said, “I don’t know why I act this way. In the moment, my perspective feels valid, and all I can see is how the other person hurt me. And suddenly, I question their character and intent. Self-isolating thoughts start playing through my mind, like, “She doesn’t really care about you.” “She wants something from you.” “He thinks you’re too much.” “You’re annoying him.” “She’s judging you.” “Why work through this when she’s just going to bail on the relationship anyway?”

My friend’s hunched shoulders and the dark shadows beneath her eyes gave evidence to her sleepless night and the heavy weight of shame she carried. 

A tear slid down her cheek. With a deep breath, she brushed it away. “But then, later,” she said, “I see that I overreacted and made things worse. I see the pattern, but I don’t know how to break it.”

Have you been there? The journey toward wholeness and holiness is rarely comfortable or quick. Yes, God holds the power to transform us with a whisper or glance. In my experience, however, He molds my soul gradually, alerting me to an issue, allowing me to see the fallout of my choices, to grieve my brokenness and sin, before He reveals the steps toward victory. 

Speaking from experience, I shared a statement that encouraged me when I was just beginning my healing journey. “Self-awareness is the first step to change. You can’t heal what you don’t see or won’t acknowledge.” 

Listening, my friend gave a slight nod and offered a half-laugh, half-huff. “Ignorance is bliss?” she asked.  

To which I replied, “Temporarily, perhaps. But it’s often when we’re staring at the rubble we’ve helped create that we’re most able to see, and rest in, God’s all-encompassing grace. To gain strength from His grace.” 

That’s the message today’s passage conveys. Seventy years after what scholars call the Babylonian exile, an event caused by ancient Israel’s long-standing spiritual rebellion, the Lord brought them back to their homeland to rebuild what their sin had destroyed. He sent them with His abundant provision—gold, silver, animals, priests to lead their faith, and numerous workers to repair Jerusalem’s walls and their sacred temple. 

Scripture tells us that:

“The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 245 men and women singers. There were 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys” (Ezra 2:66, NIV).

In short, the Lord showered them with blessings and tangible evidence of His favor. And they celebrated. They celebrated the work He enabled them to do, the provisions He provided, and the forgiveness He granted. 

But this didn’t erase the grief they felt at all that had been lost. The Scripture their religious leaders read brought praise… and a deep awareness of their sin and all it had cost. 

Seeing their weeping, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Lord’s priests spoke today’s passage, encouraging them to receive and find joy in God’s grace. 

Biblical joy goes much deeper than a temporary emotion based on our circumstances. It’s the deep awareness of God’s grace—knowing He’s with us, transforming us, rewriting our story, and working all things, our greatest failures included, for our good and His glory. 

This might not fix the damage we’ve caused. The ancient Israelites still had to clear away the rubble that once formed their homeland, to rebuild the fractured walls and restore the destroyed temple. 

But God wanted them to do so as His beloved, empowered, and absolved children, not from a place of shame. 

Shame is exhausting, heavy, and defeating. Grace brings hope, joy, and strength. It lifts the burdens we carry and plants us more firmly in God’s firm yet gentle embrace. 

Intersecting Life & Faith:

I sometimes wonder if shame functions as a defense mechanism or a subconscious fail-safe. Is there a part of us that believes our inner critic protects us from future harm by keeping our unwanted behaviors in check? 

It’s also a powerful tool of the enemy strategically lobbed to hold us captive. 

Regardless, through Christ, we always have a way out. Our sins don’t repel Him; instead, He draws close, with arms open wide—nailed to the cross. We honor the sacrifice He made by learning to receive, in our innermost wounded places, the forgiveness for which He paid such a high price. 

That takes time, healing, prayer, and regularly connecting with Him; sitting in His presence. But the more we do so, take in His truth, and rest in His love, the weaker our shame, the greater our joy, and the more enduring our strength.   

If you battle shame over a present struggle or past sins, express this to God, and ask Him to break your shame. Then, keep your soul oriented to Him, your spiritual ears attuned to His voice, and your figurative feet ready to follow, trusting Him to lead you step by step, in His perfect timing. 

Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 7:910
Isaiah 57:14-15
Habakkuk 3:19

Nehemiah 8:9-10 reveals a powerful truth for believers struggling with regret, guilt, and shame: God&rsquo;s grace is stronger than our failures. In this devotional, Jennifer Slattery explores how shame often traps Christians in cycles of self-condemnation, replaying past mistakes and fearing they will never truly change. Yet God does not call His children to remain crushed beneath shame. Instead, He invites them to receive His forgiveness, walk in restoration, and find strength through His joy.
Using the story of Israel&rsquo;s return from exile, this devotional highlights how the people grieved over the consequences of their sin while also experiencing the overwhelming grace and provision of God. Though the rubble of brokenness remained, God wanted His people to rebuild from a place of hope rather than condemnation. In the same way, believers today can trust that God is patiently healing, transforming, and restoring them through His grace.
Highlights
<ul data-start="974" data-end="1490">
<li data-section-id="5h4wbn" data-start="974" data-end="1052">Shame often keeps believers trapped in cycles of fear and self-condemnation.</li>
<li data-section-id="12w1hdt" data-start="1053" data-end="1127">Self-awareness is an important step toward healing and spiritual growth.</li>
<li data-section-id="8eqk0p" data-start="1128" data-end="1205">God&rsquo;s grace meets believers in the middle of their brokenness and failures.</li>
<li data-section-id="npu086" data-start="1206" data-end="1273">Nehemiah 8 reminds us that &ldquo;the joy of the Lord&rdquo; is our strength.</li>
<li data-section-id="1fi9bzw" data-start="1274" data-end="1349">Biblical joy comes from knowing God is present, forgiving, and restoring.</li>
<li data-section-id="1eh9x4d" data-start="1350" data-end="1417">God does not want His children rebuilding their lives from shame.</li>
<li data-section-id="1t9oqd6" data-start="1418" data-end="1490">Healing and transformation often happen gradually through God&rsquo;s grace.</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
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Full Transcript Below:
How God&rsquo;s Grace Breaks the Cycle of Shame By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading: Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites&nbsp;who were instructing the people said to them all, &ldquo;This day is holy to the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;your God. Do not mourn or weep.&rdquo;&nbsp;For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, &ldquo;Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing&nbsp;prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;is your strength.&rdquo; - Nehemiah 8:9-10
Do you ever lie in bed, replaying your every unkind word or hurtful deed from the day? Do memories of past sins and regrets seize your mind and steal your peace? Do you find yourself looking back with sorrow at the damage your unfiltered words, angry outbursts, or triggered responses caused, longing for a do-over, but also fearful that you&rsquo;ll forever fall into these unhelpful patterns?&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re not alone. People often state that the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. There&rsquo;s truth to that, likely because we so long to live and love like Jesus. Yet, we often fall short, and not for lack of trying.&nbsp;
The other day, I sat with a friend broken by a relational conflict she feared would irrevocably fracture the connection she&rsquo;d been working to build. Her voice quivered as she said, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why I act this way. In the moment, my perspective feels valid, and all I can see is how the other person hurt me. And suddenly, I question their character and intent. Self-isolating thoughts start playing through my mind, like, &ldquo;She doesn&rsquo;t really care about you.&rdquo; &ldquo;She wants something from you.&rdquo; &ldquo;He thinks you&rsquo;re too much.&rdquo; &ldquo;You&rsquo;re annoying him.&rdquo; &ldquo;She&rsquo;s judging you.&rdquo; &ldquo;Why work through this when she&rsquo;s just going to bail on the relationship anyway?&rdquo;
My friend&rsquo;s hunched shoulders and the dark shadows beneath her eyes gave evidence to her sleepless night and the heavy weight of shame she carried.&nbsp;
A tear slid down her cheek. With a deep breath, she brushed it away. &ldquo;But then, later,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;I see that I overreacted and made things worse. I see the pattern, but I don&rsquo;t know how to break it.&rdquo;
Have you been there? The journey toward wholeness and holiness is rarely comfortable or quick. Yes, God holds the power to transform us with a whisper or glance. In my experience, however, He molds my soul gradually, alerting me to an issue, allowing me to see the fallout of my choices, to grieve my brokenness and sin, before He reveals the steps toward victory.&nbsp;
Speaking from experience, I shared a statement that encouraged me when I was just beginning my healing journey. &ldquo;Self-awareness is the first step to change. You can&rsquo;t heal what you don&rsquo;t see or won&rsquo;t acknowledge.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Listening, my friend gave a slight nod and offered a half-laugh, half-huff. &ldquo;Ignorance is bliss?&rdquo; she asked.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To which I replied, &ldquo;Temporarily, perhaps. But it&rsquo;s often when we&rsquo;re staring at the rubble we&rsquo;ve helped create that we&rsquo;re most able to see, and rest in, God&rsquo;s all-encompassing grace. To gain strength from His grace.&rdquo;&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s the message today&rsquo;s passage conveys. Seventy years after what scholars call the Babylonian exile, an event caused by ancient Israel&rsquo;s long-standing spiritual rebellion, the Lord brought them back to their homeland to rebuild what their sin had destroyed. He sent them with His abundant provision&mdash;gold, silver, animals, priests to lead their faith, and numerous workers to repair Jerusalem&rsquo;s walls and their sacred temple.&nbsp;
Scripture tells us that:
&ldquo;The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 245 men and women singers. There were 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels and 6,720 donkeys&rdquo; (Ezra 2:66, NIV).
In short, the Lord showered them with blessings and tangible evidence of His favor. And they celebrated. They celebrated the work He enabled them to do, the provisions He provided, and the forgiveness He granted.&nbsp;
But this didn&rsquo;t erase the grief they felt at all that had been lost. The Scripture their religious leaders read brought praise&hellip; and a deep awareness of their sin and all it had cost.&nbsp;
Seeing their weeping, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Lord&rsquo;s priests spoke today&rsquo;s passage, encouraging them to receive and find joy in God&rsquo;s grace.&nbsp;
Biblical joy goes much deeper than a temporary emotion based on our circumstances. It&rsquo;s the deep awareness of God&rsquo;s grace&mdash;knowing He&rsquo;s with us, transforming us, rewriting our story, and working all things, our greatest failures included, for our good and His glory.&nbsp;
This might not fix the damage we&rsquo;ve caused. The ancient Israelites still had to clear away the rubble that once formed their homeland, to rebuild the fractured walls and restore the destroyed temple.&nbsp;
But God wanted them to do so as His beloved, empowered, and absolved children, not from a place of shame.&nbsp;
Shame is exhausting, heavy, and defeating. Grace brings hope, joy, and strength. It lifts the burdens we carry and plants us more firmly in God&rsquo;s firm yet gentle embrace.&nbsp;
Intersecting Life &amp; Faith:
I sometimes wonder if shame functions as a defense mechanism or a subconscious fail-safe. Is there a part of us that believes our inner critic protects us from future harm by keeping our unwanted behaviors in check?&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s also a powerful tool of the enemy strategically lobbed to hold us captive.&nbsp;
Regardless, through Christ, we always have a way out. Our sins don&rsquo;t repel Him; instead, He draws close, with arms open wide&mdash;nailed to the cross. We honor the sacrifice He made by learning to receive, in our innermost wounded places, the forgiveness for which He paid such a high price.&nbsp;
That takes time, healing, prayer, and regularly connecting with Him; sitting in His presence. But the more we do so, take in His truth, and rest in His love, the weaker our shame, the greater our joy, and the more enduring our strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
If you battle shame over a present struggle or past sins, express this to God, and ask Him to break your shame. Then, keep your soul oriented to Him, your spiritual ears attuned to His voice, and your figurative feet ready to follow, trusting Him to lead you step by step, in His perfect timing.&nbsp;
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:910 Isaiah 57:14-15 Habakkuk 3:19

How God’s Grace Breaks the Cycle of Shame

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