The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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 UsBy: 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 more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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 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: 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 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Instead of preparing your heart for disappointment by always imagining the worst, you can learn to approach uncertainty with faith and biblical hope. God’s promises remind you that He remains present in difficult circumstances and can bring good from situations you don’t understand. Through prayer, Scripture, and intentionally shifting your thoughts toward what God can do, you can begin to break cycles of anxious thinking and find greater peace in the present. Discover how to replace fearful expectations with hope, trust God with your future, and encourage others through the joy and peace He provides. Highlights What anticipatory anxiety is and how worrying about what might happen can affect your peace How Romans 15:13 encourages believers to trust God for joy, peace, and overflowing hope Why expecting the worst can become a habit—and how to begin choosing hope instead How biblical promises like Romans 8:28 can help you trust God when you cannot control the outcome What David’s confidence in Psalm 27:13 teaches us about expecting to see God’s goodness during difficult times Practical ways to use Scripture and prayer to redirect anxious thoughts and strengthen your hope How trusting the God of hope can help you experience greater peace and encourage others through your faith 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: Focus on the Best That Could Happen Instead of the Worst By: Lia Girard Bible Reading:May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13, NIV I wish I were the only one who struggles with what a former counselor of mine called “anticipatory anxiety” or “feeling physical and mental consequences from something that hasn’t happened yet or might not happen at all.” But if this were true, and I was the only person prone to overthinking and overstressing, there wouldn’t be so many reminders in the Bible to “cast our cares,” and “not worry,” and “fear not.” The one who made each one of us knows that fearing what might not even happen can upset anyone’s equilibrium. This inclination to auto-traumatize potential outcomes can dig a familiar rut. I’ve even heard people say it feels safer or more comfortable to “not get their hopes up.” But what if it were just as possible... to be intentionally hopeful? What if you and I could decide, in the middle of our rising fear and discomfort, to always ask, “What’s the best that could happen?” Instead of expecting the worst—because we’re trying to dull any disappointment we might endure if hopes are dashed—there’s also the biblical option to believe in better days ahead. Even to expect miracles. You see, even though David was cornered by enemies who were plotting to destroy him, he proclaims in Psalm 27:13— I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Here’s the reality: you can’t control everything. But you can control your own choices. You can choose to trust Romans 8:28, which promises, “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.” And as you trust in God’s ability to bring forth good things from all of our combined circumstances, you can also give yourself this valuable pep talk found in Romans 15:13— May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you noticing the energy in this verse? Not just “fill you with a bit of joy” or even “fill you to the brim.” But to fill you with all joy and peace so that you overflow with hope. This kind of experience can transform your day, and even inspire others to choose hope, too. Best of all, none of this is accomplished by your power alone. When you trust in God, the power of the Holy Spirit can generate hope in such abundance that it spills out into your own and others’ lives. Pay attention here, too, to who fills you with joy and peace. Not your work plan or your accomplishments. Not your bestie or your spouse. The one who provides the joy and peace you need is the God of hope. It becomes clear, after parsing through Romans 15:13, that your only part is to trust in him. Trust in all his promises, such as Jeremiah 29:11— “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This is yours to claim, too. God wrote you a love letter so you would tuck what is possible, divine, and true in your heart and know it well. Especially during times you may feel tempted to look for the worst possible outcome, instead of what his goodness can make happen. Why not try it today? After all, what’s the best that could happen? Intersecting Faith & Life: Knowing that God desires you to feel hopeful rather than fearful can help pull you out of the rut we all get stuck in sometimes. Try writing down or memorizing verses like these during challenging times: Isaiah 40:31: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Hebrews 6:19: We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Ephesians 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Further Reading:Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Ahead with Hope – The Crosswalk Devotional A Prayer to Not Fret in Confusing Times – Your Daily Prayer Hope Bible Verses – biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God doesn’t always provide immediate relief, but His presence and power remain constant even when life feels out of control. When you’re facing uncertainty, remembering how God has carried you through past hardships can strengthen your faith and help you trust Him with today’s struggles. Rather than focusing only on when your circumstances will change, you can grow closer to Jesus by learning who He is and relying on His strength. Discover how to find peace amid anxiety, trust God when answers seem delayed, and build a resilient faith that holds firm through life’s fiercest storms. Highlights What Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:41 teaches us about His power and authority Why God doesn’t always provide immediate relief when we face fear, anxiety, and difficult circumstances How life’s storms can reveal doubts and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus truly is Why remembering God’s faithfulness in past struggles can help you trust Him through present challenges How to rely on Christ for lasting peace instead of depending only on changes in your circumstances Why God can use difficult seasons to deepen your faith, develop perseverance, and strengthen your spiritual foundation Practical ways to turn to Jesus in moments of fear and find comfort in His unchanging character and presence 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: Encountering the God Able to Calm Our Fiercest StormsBy: Jennifer Slattery Bible Reading:They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” - Mark 4:41 Often, when difficulties hit, I want immediate rescue. In the past, when God didn’t respond as I’d hoped, I tended to feel frustrated or abandoned. At times, I even accused Him of ignoring me when I most needed Him. Yet, looking back on our history, I’m able to see how often He used my most challenging circumstances for my good: to liberate me from a harmful behavior, heal a wound, or deepen my faith. While I occasionally still slip into old, panicked responses, this after-event realization strengthens my soul. I’m better able to pause and reflect on all the times He’s rescued me from past storms and what this reveals regarding His power, nature, and heart. I increasingly go from, “Who is this God, who commands even the winds and waves,” to, “This is the One who holds all of Creation, myself included, in His hands.” In the passage surrounding today’s verse, Jesus was teaching the disciples this same truth. This was relatively early in His earthly ministry, and therefore early in His relationship with these men who chose to abandon whatever dreams and goals they held previously because they believed He offered something better. Although they didn’t yet understand what that meant, and in fact, were operating on false assumptions that kept them from knowing and therefore trusting in Christ’s true nature. They’d accepted Him as the long-promised Messiah, yet their comprehension of what that meant, and what He came to do, remained far too small. They wanted temporary solutions and comfort and freedom from circumstantial oppression (largely, at the hands of the Romans and the religious elite). But Jesus was doing a much deeper work that would anchor them through all of life’s hardships. And He used the storm recorded in Mark 4 to do so by first making them aware of their need and the fear this evoked. Consider, He timed His rescue intentionally, with His loving gaze focused on the work He was doing in their souls. He allowed them to feel the full weight of the situation, not out of callousness or rebuke, but rather to allow the doubts and lies lurking in their souls to rise to their awareness. Imagine if your doctor knew how to give you medication without you realizing it for an illness you didn’t know you had. This would affect you physically, in preventing whatever distress you might experience as your disease progressed, but it wouldn’t deepen your trust in his care. If anything, that might convince you that you didn’t need his intervention. In contrast, your confidence in him is likely to significantly increase if the successful treatment comes after you’ve felt the full weight of your condition and your longing for relief. Jesus could’ve easily prevented the storm recorded in Mark 4. He could’ve had the disciples wait to enter that boat until after it passed, or never asked them to cross the lake in the first place. But then, they never would’ve reached the place where they exclaimed, with awestruck amazement, “Who is this Man who holds authority over even the wind and waves?!” Again, they knew, before climbing into the boat, that He was the long-promised Messiah. They didn’t realize, however, how insufficient their view of Him in that role was. He was providing an expanded and much more faith-anchoring perspective. To stand strong for all that lay ahead, they needed to recognize Him as more than the Father’s chosen servant or yet another divinely empowered prophet. They needed to see Him as He truly was, and is, God the Son, Co-Creator, in human form. Through the storm, He also forced them to confront a core need for safety, which only He could fully meet. In this, He was teaching them to rely on Him, rather than themselves, which ultimately positioned them for strength. Notice, also, His rescue didn’t arrive a moment too late. When all hope seemed lost, and all their fighting against the external chaos left them physically and emotionally spent, He arose and brought enduring, supernatural calm. This helped develop their endurance and inner grit. The next time they landed in a terrifying situation, they could look back on how He’d carried them through that frightening night and trust that He could, and would, do so again. Intersecting Life & Faith: God doesn’t change. The same Savior who remained with the disciples in their fear remains with us in ours as well. The same Messiah who knew precisely when to calm the winds and waves understands when our rescue will impact us most as well. His delays might feel frustrating, and at times, deeply unsettling, and that’s okay. He understands our overwhelm, and He longs to comfort us in today’s challenges. But He does so with His gaze fixed on building a faith that, progressively, brings lasting peace. We reach that place, in part, by turning to Him in crisis, asking for the help we need, but also reminding ourselves of the heart and ways of the One providing it. Because of that, not circumstantial relief is how we develop the rock-solid faith that allows us to thrive, regardless of what life throws at us. This is a topic with which I’m highly passionate, because it has provided me more relief in my anxiety than temporary “rescue” ever has. And, to build these important truths into my soul, I spent much of August discussing some of God’s most comforting divine attributes. I invite you to peruse my Instagram page to glean from some of those reels and posts. Just Google my name, Jennifer Slattery, to find me and more of my faith-building content. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Following God doesn’t always mean taking the easiest path. Sometimes faith requires perseverance when you’re tired, uncertain, or unable to see how things will work out. Yet true worship is about more than singing songs or gathering with other believers. It’s a daily choice to honor God, trust His promises, and remain faithful even when the journey feels long and the destination seems far away. When circumstances test your faith, God invites you to keep drawing near to Him through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and praise. Worship can become an expression of trust when you don’t have all the answers or when following God costs you something. Rather than allowing exhaustion, disappointment, or uncertainty to pull you away from Him, you can learn to recognize His faithfulness along the way. Discover how to persevere in your walk with God, worship Him through challenging seasons, and find renewed strength by keeping your heart focused on His presence. Highlights Why worship sometimes requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a willingness to trust God through uncertainty How following God faithfully can mean choosing the difficult path instead of the easiest one Ways to worship God when you feel tired, discouraged, or unsure of what lies ahead Why worship involves daily trust and obedience, not just singing or attending church How prayer and Scripture can strengthen your faith during a long or challenging season How to recognize God’s faithfulness even when you haven’t reached your destination Practical ways to keep your heart focused on God and continue following Him when the journey feels difficult 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: You Don’t Have to Fear What Hides in the Dark By Deidre Braley Bible Reading:Since the children have flesh and blood, (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. - Hebrews 2:14-15 Our children have become afraid of the dark. Our daughter sleeps with her door open now, to let in a crack of light, and many nights after bedtime, our son wanders out of his room and calls down the stairs for me. “I’m scared,” he will say, bleary-eyed and slumping. In the cocoon of his room, he imagines the beasts he has read about in his books. He hears noises he can’t identify. He looks outward, and all he can see is darkness, and he shudders to think of whatever lies hidden within it. Downstairs in the kitchen, all the lights are on, and it still smells like whatever we had for dinner. I am packing lunches, presetting coffee, and wiping down counters. Everything is in order. In this brightly lit space, his fears feel distant, improbable. I am watching over him, and I am certain no beasties will get him tonight. But as I lead him back up the stairs, through the dark hallway, and into his bed once more, it is as though I am seven years old again, too. I see the shadows. I know what it’s like to lie awake, afraid of what hides in the dark. So I lay beside him for a while, then I rub his back and tuck the covers up under his chin, to make sure nothing can get to him there. And when I wake up in the middle of the night, my mind racing with existential dread and worries about looming disaster and grief, I am no different than my children: in the darkness of my room and my limited understanding, these threats feel as real as real can be. There is no doubt about it—the human experience can be terribly frightening. What I like to remember during these times is myself as a parent, standing in the brightly lit kitchen, knowing that even if my child is feeling afraid in his particular room, I am presiding over the whole house, and that he is safe and that everything is in order. Though he may not sense it when the lights are turned off in his own bedroom, he is actually surrounded on all sides by light and love and security. I think it is the same with God and us. But we are not just contained within his care and the light of his goodness. Because God did not choose to stay in the brightly lit space, where our fears were distant and removed from his reality. Jesus—God in the flesh—came to dwell with humanity and was, as it says in Hebrews, the “pioneer of their salvation” (2:10). He engaged with the darkness and wrestled with the power of death—that darkness that haunts us mortals and keeps us lying wide-eyed and terrified in our bedrooms at night—and came out on the other side gripping the keys to death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). He entered into our greatest nightmare with us so that we wouldn’t have to leave in fear of what hides in the dark all our lives. In doing so, he showed us that he has the final say, that he holds the ultimate power, and that we are children who are surrounded by his light. Intersecting Faith & Life: In the book of Revelation, John records what the new creation looked like in the vision he received from God. He writes: The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.” (21:23-25) One day we will live in a place where there is no longer any darkness to fear—no beasts hiding in the dark and no dread of the future looming beyond what we can see. Though we long for that place now, we already have a God who is, by his very nature, light and life and love. His glory is already radiant. His power is already all-encompassing. And his presence is already here, through his Spirit dwelling with us. So the next time you wake up in the night and your mind begins to race with worries, try this prayer: God, I am so afraid, and everything feels so dark. But I know that you are God of the living, and that you are also God of the light. Please come into this darkness with me and illuminate it with your presence. Please help me to see my circumstances from your standpoint: in a brightly lit place, totally surrounded by light. Amen. Further Reading: Hebrews 2Revelation 21 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when worshiping God requires sacrifice, patience, or a long journey through difficult circumstances? Following God doesn’t always mean taking the easiest path. Sometimes faith requires perseverance when you’re tired, uncertain, or unable to see how things will work out. Yet true worship is about more than singing songs or gathering with other believers. It’s a daily choice to honor God, trust His promises, and remain faithful even when the journey feels long and the destination seems far away. When circumstances test your faith, God invites you to keep drawing near to Him through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and praise. Worship can become an expression of trust when you don’t have all the answers or when following God costs you something. Rather than allowing exhaustion, disappointment, or uncertainty to pull you away from Him, you can learn to recognize His faithfulness along the way. Discover how to persevere in your walk with God, worship Him through challenging seasons, and find renewed strength by keeping your heart focused on His presence. Highlights Why worship sometimes requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a willingness to trust God through uncertainty How following God faithfully can mean choosing the difficult path instead of the easiest one Ways to worship God when you feel tired, discouraged, or unsure of what lies ahead Why worship involves daily trust and obedience, not just singing or attending church How prayer and Scripture can strengthen your faith during a long or challenging season How to recognize God’s faithfulness even when you haven’t reached your destination Practical ways to keep your heart focused on God and continue following Him when the journey feels difficult 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: When Worship Requires a Long Journey By Hannah L. Benson Bible Reading:“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2 ESV). When we think of Christmas, we often think of Christmas carols, a baby lying in a manger, shepherds in the field, and wise men bearing gifts to the King of the Jews. But the first Christmas wasn’t as “silent” and “calm” as the carols lead us to believe. Before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph endured what may have been a roughly ninety-mile journey to Bethlehem, according to historical geography. And miles away in the east, another journey began, one that would require months of travel across harsh terrain before these travelers ever laid eyes on the King. We don’t know how long the Magi traveled before they arrived in Bethlehem. But Scripture offers an interesting clue: when King Herod inquired about the star’s appearance and eventually ordered the execution of male children in the region, he targeted boys two years old and younger (Matthew 2:16). This means Jesus was likely a toddler already living in a house (Matthew 2:11), suggesting the wise men’s search was not an easy, brief journey, but a relentless, long-term pursuit. The wise men were well-versed in astronomy and had no doubt studied the stars and signs in the sky. It’s also possible they were familiar with Jewish prophecy and the rumblings of the coming Messiah. Either way, the moment they saw the star rise in the east, they knew something amazing had happened and that the long-awaited King of the Jews had been born. We often think of the end of the Magi’s journey, the moment when they fell on their faces before Jesus, worshiped Him, and presented Him with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But we rarely consider the months, or perhaps years, spent traversing desert expanses and rocky terrain. While the book of Matthew doesn’t detail their route, we can infer from historians that day after day, they likely would have faced scorching heat, freezing nights, the constant threat of bandits, and the fatigue of an exhausting journey. Think about it. These wise men traveled across the perilous desert. No doubt they knew one wrong turn could cost them both their lives and the treasures they carried. But no matter what they encountered, God protected them. By the time they arrived at the house where the young King stayed, their treasures were intact, ready to be offered in worship. Imagine their immense joy when they finally arrived where Jesus was. When the star went before them and then rested over the place, Scripture records that they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:9-10 ESV).⁠ What must it have been like to feel that joy course through their veins as the moment they had pursued for so long finally arrived? It’s likely these were wealthy and influential men who chose to humble themselves by traveling to see a King, at the time still a young child. Intersecting Faith & Life: I don’t know what you are going through today. Perhaps you feel like you’re traveling through the proverbial desert or fighting to survive. I wonder if the wise men ever felt like giving up. Surely, the journey was laborious. Did they ever wonder if they would make it in time, if the trek was worth the difficulty? While it may have been difficult, the wise men chose to keep moving forward, trusting that what they would find at the end of their journey would make it all worth it. And once they laid their eyes on Jesus and fell on their knees before the King of the Jews, I’m sure they didn’t think about how hard it was to get there. While we aren’t traveling across a physical desert, our lives as believers are a journey of their own. Keep moving forward. The road may be long and wearying, but the prize waiting at the end, Jesus Himself, makes every single step worth it. Pray with me: Dear Father God, I feel like I’m on a long journey today, and I’m struggling to keep going. Please help me to worship You even when it’s hard and to keep pressing onward to see Your face at the end of this race. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s love for you remains secure. Romans 8:38-39 offers one of the Bible’s most powerful promises: nothing in all creation can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. No hardship, spiritual power, present struggle, or future uncertainty is greater than His unshakable love. God’s love isn’t something you have to earn through perfect behavior or constant achievement. Even when you fail, He invites you to come to Him with a repentant heart and receive His grace and forgiveness. When rejection or fear makes you question your worth, remembering God’s faithfulness can help you find renewed hope, peace, and belonging in Christ. Discover how to trust His unchanging love through difficult circumstances, release the fear that you’re not good enough, and rest in the assurance that your future remains in the hands of a loving God. Highlights What Romans 8:38-39 reveals about the unbreakable love of God in Christ Jesus How rejection, loneliness, guilt, and shame can cause you to question whether God still loves you Why God’s love isn’t something you have to earn through perfection or good works How to approach God with repentance and receive His grace and forgiveness after making mistakes Why present struggles and future uncertainties cannot separate believers from God’s loving care How remembering God’s past faithfulness can strengthen your confidence in His presence today Practical ways to replace fear and feelings of unworthiness with gratitude for God’s steadfast, eternal love 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: Nothing Can Separate You from God’s Love By: Lia Girard Bible Reading:For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39, NIV If you’ve ever felt unloved or abandoned by anyone here on earth, it can be quite discouraging how quickly it can have you believing that maybe even God rejects you. When people are mean or hurtful, or broken relationships leave you feeling as though you don’t belong anywhere, you might assume that God is also far removed. Or maybe, there’s a general sense of paranoia that the whole world is turning wicked and God will surely abandon it. This worry can tempt you to distance your heart and wallow in dread. It’s also possible that when you or I have hurt someone else, or hurt ourselves, we can be afraid to bring our mistakes to God for fear of losing his love. For times like these, or any time you’re battling loneliness, fear, guilt, or shame, Romans 8:38-39 is a balm of truth. This compassionate and eye-opening portion of the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome serves as a promise. Paul wants all believers to know that no life event, timing, distance, external force, spiritual powers, or even death can tear you out of God’s loving care. His embrace is unshakable and eternal. As an aside, I don’t believe Paul intends these verses as a “pass” to allow evil or sin free rein. He isn’t simply stating, “God stays no matter what you do, so do whatever you want.” He is, however, painting an amazing portrait of an ever-present love, vast enough to send his only son to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). And he says he is “convinced” of it—because he experienced God’s radical and transformative mercy firsthand. The truth is: God never rejects you. Even when you inevitably sin, he is always inviting you to run to Him with a repentant heart and know that he will receive and forgive you. He offers constant, unchanging love that doesn’t waver. This “love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” also doesn’t require impossible perfection, but rather delights in the way you’re made. You don’t have to perform for God or keep earning his love. He knows and sees everything about you, and loves you anyway. Paul also includes “neither the present nor the future” in his list of things you may fear will separate you from God. This means you can trust God to be with you today, and every tomorrow. No matter what is happening now, or what transpires in your future financial status, family plans, health, or anything you hold dear, God’s love for you is secure. You can also take comfort in knowing that absolutely no evil power in this world is greater than God. In fact, 1 John 4:4 reminds you: “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Furthermore, John 16:33 explains that Christ has already overcome the world. So if you’re ever feeling unlovable, unworthy, or lonely, and are wondering if God still loves you, hold on to Romans 8:38-39. God’s love isn’t based on your fallibility or your accomplishments. It’s a gift of His grace that’s unstoppable because you are in Christ. As a believer, God has grafted you into the vine of Christ, so you can branch out confidently by the power of his unbreakable love. Intersecting Faith & Life: The next time you start feeling like God only loves you when you’re perfect, try recalling a time when God pulled you through any disaster. Remember, as you look back, a sign from God that showed you that he was holding and loving you. As you focus on his steady love, you can offer a prayer of thanks and gratitude for a God that’s bigger, more powerful, and more loving than “anything else in all creation.” Further Reading: Psalm 136:26 Jeremiah 31:3 Zephaniah 3:17 John 3:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this Bonus Episode of "On The Ground" | Service has the ability to radically change us. God can use serving others to mold and shape our hearts to look more like His. This is what happened in Angie’s life—a volunteer Kristy met while on the ground in Mississippi. Hear how the Lord is using Angie’s testimony to show others that they are never too far from Him. Jason Taft, an assistant director with Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief, met Angie in Mississippi after a tornado tore through the southern part of the state. He was amazed by her skills on the skid-steer, but even more amazed by her story. Angie has known about God her entire life, but she has not always walked with Him. Her upbringing was hard, and her adult life has been marked by many trials and disappointments. When twin tornadoes came through her town, Angie went out and served with U.S. Disaster Relief. She kept going back, day after day. In her private life, Angie was in active alcoholism and plagued by grief. But when she was serving, she was not drinking. Angie continually cried out to the Lord for help. About a year later, God delivered her from alcohol. Service was the catalyst that the Lord used to change Angie's heart. And now she gets to serve all over the country, using her abilities and sharing her story with homeowners and fellow volunteers. Angie tells Kristy about a particular moment on a deployment when her testimony blessed a room full of volunteers. “And I believe that God is going to use all of us … And if people will just be brave enough to tell [their] story—it gets raw, but I'm living proof that God can do anything.” – Angie Polk If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Difficult seasons can leave you feeling weary, unproductive, or uncertain about what God is doing in your life. Jeremiah 17:7-8 offers a powerful reminder that those who trust in the Lord are like trees planted beside water, with roots that remain strong even when the heat and drought come. Your circumstances may look bleak, but a season that feels fruitless doesn’t mean your faith has stopped growing or that God has abandoned you. Trusting God isn’t about pretending hardship doesn’t hurt or forcing yourself to feel hopeful. It’s choosing to rely on His character and sovereignty even when you cannot see the outcome. Like a tree growing deeper roots through winter, your relationship with God can strengthen through quiet seasons of prayer, Scripture, and dependence on Him. Discover how to stop measuring your spiritual growth by visible accomplishments, find encouragement in God’s promises, and trust that He can produce lasting fruit in your life—even when all you see are bare branches. Highlights What Jeremiah 17:7-8 teaches about trusting God when life feels uncertain, painful, or unproductive Why a difficult season doesn’t mean your faith is failing or God has stopped working in your life How to choose trust in God’s character and sovereignty when your circumstances feel out of control What bare winter branches teach us about growing deeper spiritual roots during seasons of hardship How prayer, Scripture, and quiet time with God can strengthen your faith when you feel weary Why spiritual growth isn’t always visible and how God can use trials to develop lasting faith Reflection questions to help you recognize where God is inviting you to trust Him and grow beneath the surface 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: What Bare Branches Can Teach Us about Trust By Sarah Frazer Bible Reading: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” - Jeremiah 17:7 Every season, I take a quick snapshot of the tree in our front yard. We’ve only lived in our house for a few years, but this tree was obviously planted a decade or more ago. It looms over half of our yard and into the neighbor's yard. I take a picture because as the earth rotates and the weather shifts from cold to warm and then back again, my tree changes. I love every single season of this tree! It is the same tree year-round, but it looks different depending on the weather! The cycles of trees are not new to those of us who live in a climate that has all four seasons. We know that in the spring, small buds appear and green begins to grow. In summer, trees are filled with flowers and fruit. As fall moves in with colder winds and rain, the tree’s leaves change color and drop to the earth. Winter strips the tree of all color and beauty. Snow might make the tree look magical, but let’s be honest. This sweet tree in my front yard is not the prettiest during the winter when the branches are barren. As I think about my tree, I can’t help but think of Jeremiah’s tree in the Old Testament. Jeremiah was a prophet filled with sorrow and heartache. He preached during a time of political turmoil and spiritual idolatry. The nation of Judah was on the brink of collapse. Israel had already fallen. The prophet foresees the destruction of the beautiful city of Jerusalem and tries to warn the people. In the midst of his voice of condemnation, we find pockets of hope. In the middle of Jeremiah 17, we read about a tree. For several chapters, Jeremiah has spoken up about the coming famine, sword, and pestilence waiting for God’s people. Because of their own sin (Jeremiah 17:1-4), they will now have to face the consequences and punishment. For centuries, God has been patient and kind with them, but now He must punish evil. God says that if they return to Him, he will rescue them, but instead, we read that they want to trust in their own abilities and help from outside the people of Israel (Jeremiah 17:5-6). Still, even though doom is coming, God makes a way for His people to find grace, mercy, and hope! Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Maybe you feel like your world is in turmoil, filled with unknowns, heartaches, grief, and loneliness. I don’t know about you, but when I’m in the hardest struggles of my life, I can’t even fathom how fruit or flowers can grow in my life. There have been periods of weeks, months, and yes, even years, where I have been so weary that my life feels so unproductive. I get up, do the bare minimum, and fall into bed each night with not much to show. My house remains messy, my Bible gets dusty on the nightstand, and prayer feels so hollow. How can Jeremiah promise that if we trust the Lord, we will not be anxious, cease to bear fruit, and never fail to have green leaves? How is this even possible during times that feel so barren? When life is turned inside out, and grief lies like a heavy fog, none of that feels true. Can I tell you a secret? In God’s kingdom and His economy, times of hardship can actually produce fruit! Notice that first Jeremiah says, “trust in the Lord” twice! That isn’t a typo, but an emphasis. During what might seem like fruitless seasons, our only job is to trust. Friend, let me encourage you that trust is not a feeling but a choice. When everything around us is out of control, God’s sovereignty is not. We trust both God’s character and we trust His control. The next part of verse seven and verse eight tells us what will happen when we trust. I love that all of these things are not something we muster up or have to do. Remember, all God is asking from us is trust. The original Hebrew word for “trust” means to be bold, confident, and secure. Because we place our faith in God, we have roots, green leaves, and fruit. The roots are the most important thing about trees. Strong roots anchor the tree so that winds and storms don’t topple it. The roots also provide nutrition. During the winter and cold months, when the branches are bare, the roots are still growing. The tree doesn’t have to provide nutrients to the leaves and fruit, so all of its energy is spent on growing deeper roots. During our winter seasons, as we trust God and lean into Him for strength, reading the Word and praying, we find that our faith is still growing! On the outside, it might look as if we are barren, empty, and nonproductive. But times of quiet, simple communion with God actually bring about the most productive fruit! Charles Spurgeon said, “Storms help to make the sailors sturdy, and trials help to make Christians strong in faith." Do not look at your time with “barren branches” as unfruitful. God is working in your life. Just because you can’t see how, you can trust that your tree is by the living waters of God. Psalm 1:3 says that those who delight in God’s Word and meditate on it will be “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Some seasons of life look fruitful; others feel like bare branches. But God may be doing His deepest work in places you can see. Instead of measuring this season by what you are accomplishing, consider where your roots are growing. Where is God asking you to trust Him right now? What might He be growing beneath the surface that you cannot yet see? Further Reading:Psalm 1:1-3John 15:4-5 Colossians 2:6-72 Corinthians 4:16-18James 1:2-4 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.