The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Winter eventually gives way to spring. The sun always returns — even if it takes longer than we’d like. Life works the same way.
In this episode, we talk about walking through spiritual winters — the long seasons of hardship, disappointment, or discouragement where change feels painfully slow. What do we do when prayers seem unanswered? When circumstances don’t shift? When the valley stretches on?
Psalm 23 reminds us of something powerful: even in the darkest valley, we are not alone.
The sun may feel hidden — but God is not absent.
What We Discuss
Why difficult seasons are part of the Christian life

The danger of obsessing over our problems

How self-focus can unintentionally magnify hardship

Practical ways to stay encouraged during long valleys

Learning contentment when God says “not yet”

Paul’s example of trusting grace in weakness

Preparing spiritually before the next hard season arrives

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Waiting for the Sun to Shine Again
By: Aaron D’Anthony Brown

Bible Reading:
“Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, CSB)
I was one of the many waiting for the sun to shine again after a long, cold winter. Eventually it does return, albeit more slowly than we might wish. Life can be like that sometimes, where tough situations are slow to change and improve.
When you find yourself feeling down and out, how do you respond? Do you turn to God and patiently wait for the bad times to pass? Do you develop a bad attitude to match the circumstances? Or do you just go with the flow?
As Christians, we pray to God with anticipation and hope for the good times of life. There are many of them. However, again, as Christians, we also know that God doesn’t solely promise us good times. The bad times are, in fact, a part of this miracle we call life. And they’re just as important.
In effect, life is an alternating sequence of seasons in which we experience highs and lows. Those upbeat moments are much easier to handle and appreciate. The difficulties, on the other hand, can leave us scratching our heads, wondering when God will step in to rescue us.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Everyone at some point will be waiting for the sun to shine again.
Don’t focus on your problems.
One major mistake people often make when struggling in life is harping on their misfortunes. They pray about it, think about it, and talk about it a lot. Not only that, but our culture promotes ideas such as self-love and affirmation so often that people think good vibes will cast away their problems. Life’s not so simple. In fact, focusing on yourself often makes the problem seem bigger than it is.
So, what’s the solution? Think less about yourself and more about others. Rather than dwell on the bad things happening, spend some time thinking about the good. Go out and do good in the world. What you will discover is that sometimes the problems go away, and even if they don’t, when your mind is set on other things, the problems were never as bad as you originally thought.
Find ways to stay encouraged.
Choosing not to focus on your problems doesn’t magically make you feel better. Hard times can still leave us feeling sad, angry, and worse, suicidal. That’s why it’s important that we know how to find encouragement. Your specific ways may look different from mine, but what’s important is that we have a reliable game plan. The bad times will come. That’s a certainty. And when they do, wisdom calls for us to be prepared.
Take some time to consider where you currently find encouragement and where else you ought to go. Some helpful solutions include prayer, church, loved ones, a gratitude journal, exercise, producing art, and so much more.
Learn contentment.
Sometimes God says yes, sometimes no, and sometimes not yet. The latter can be difficult to understand, especially when you feel so justified in your pleas to the Lord. However, God is God. He’s not going to change a circumstance every time we ask. There could be a lesson for us to learn, or maybe we’re feeling the effects of sin, or both.
As Paul learned to be satisfied with God’s grace as he struggled with a thorn in the flesh, so too must we. Based on how he lived, the formula for contentment is probably something like faith plus patience plus gratitude.
Obviously, that’s contrary to our human nature and won’t come naturally. Yet, God is able to supply all of our needs and desires to see us grow. We have to do our part to seek that growth. The valleys of life will come and come again. That’s a fact. Yet, we can also be well-prepared to handle.
Waiting for the sun to shine again is not easy, but you know that it’s coming. Take hope today.
Further Reading (and Listening):
Psalm 13
Romans 8:18
John 16:33
“I Smile” by Kirk Franklin
“NO LONGER BOUND” by Forrest Frank & Hulvey
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What happens when obedience to God feels risky?
In this episode, we explore the tension between love and fear — especially when someone we care about senses a calling that could cost them comfort, security, or even safety. It’s one thing to say we trust God. It’s another to release someone we love into His hands.
Looking at Paul’s final encouragement to Timothy, written from a prison cell under Emperor Nero’s brutal reign, we see something remarkable: Paul doesn’t urge caution. He doesn’t prioritize survival. Instead, he tells Timothy to fan into flame the very gift that could invite persecution.
So what gave Paul that kind of courage? And how do we cultivate it today?
What We Discuss
The internal conflict between protection and obedience

Why fear often disguises itself as wisdom

Paul’s deep relationship with Timothy — and his even deeper trust in Christ

The historical reality of persecution under Nero

What it means to “fan into flame” your spiritual gifts

How eternal perspective fuels present-day courage

Why intimacy with Christ produces boldness instead of timidity

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Fanning the Flame in Our Souls
By: Jennifer Slattery
Bible Reading:
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2 Timothy 1:5-7, NIV
Years ago, my extended family experienced a period of panic after my younger brother told us that he was praying about trying to get a job in North Korea so that he could share the gospel. I don’t remember if the country was open to this at the time, but he hoped to teach English and use his role to build relationships that could allow for spiritual conversations. My mind immediately flooded with thoughts of him in a North Korean prison, tortured for his faith–if not executed.
I wanted to tell him all the reasons this was a terrible idea. By God’s grace, however, I stayed silent, knowing the greater danger was in encouraging him to deny God’s voice and choose self-protection over obedience. To our relief, he ultimately sensed the Lord leading him in a different direction. But that season really challenged me to investigate the depths of my belief, trust in Christ, and commitment to His mission.
I wonder if Paul, the first-century church planter who wrote the book from which today’s passage came, ever wrestled with this inner conflict. He cared for Timothy, his mentee, deeply, and appeared to be closer to this young man than anyone else with whom he worshiped or served. He even referred to him as his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2, NASB). Therefore, there must have been a part of him, perhaps a large part, that wanted to keep Timothy safe.
Keep in mind, this was during the time of Nero, one of the cruelest emperors in Roman history, responsible for the horrific death of numerous Christians. Paul understood persecution. He’d been stoned, flogged, beaten with rods, and imprisoned on numerous occasions. He’d also lost relationships with many people he’d once held dear. Plus, he wrote from a dark, damp prison cell, also known as a dungeon, awaiting a likely execution.
Considering all that, reflect on Paul’s words in verse 6 again:
“For this reason–” pointing back to his sincere faith, his rock-solid foundation in Christ. “For this reason,” he wrote, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV).
Had I been Paul, I suspect my letter to Timothy would’ve looked quite different, likely filled with all the ways he could survive the evil invading the ancient world. Perhaps, had he come to me as my brother had, I would’ve remained silent (as I did regarding North Korea), but I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage and strength to tell him to actively feed the very thing that could, and more likely than not would, result in death. (According to tradition, he was in fact martyred in 80 AD, presumably fifteen years after Paul’s execution.
Intersecting Life & Faith:
Reading Paul’s possible last words to his beloved friend and spiritual son, and reflecting on my typical reactions when those I love suffer, I’m left with an important question: What enabled Paul to respond to their intensely hostile circumstances with such faith? We discover the answer when we read his other letters. He maintained a close relationship with Christ and experienced such fulfillment from that relationship that he was able to say, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NIV).
His ongoing connection with the Lord and his practice of praying constantly also provided clarity and guidance for His most difficult circumstances and positioned him to receive God’s comfort. In his letter to the Philippians, he emphasized maintaining an eternal perspective, which extends beyond living missionally. This also means reading about and reflecting on all that awaits us in heaven.
According to Hebrews 12:2, that was also what sustained Christ through His horrific death and all the brutality He experienced preceding it. That verse tells us to fix, as in fasten unwaveringly, our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
This tells me, the more I reflect on all the blessings I have in Christ and through Christ, today and through eternity, the greater my faith and strength to endure today’s challenges and the easier it becomes to encourage those I love to prioritize obedience to Him above all, even if that means losing all.
Thankfully, I’m not alone in my pursuit. Jesus, the One who died that I might live throughout eternity with Him, will grow my faith, decrease my anxiety and fear, and help me to be a source of inspiration, not hindrance, to those I care about most.
He will do the same for you–if you’ll let Him.
Further Reading:
Matthew 16:24-26
Hebrews 10:24
Mark 10:43-45
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Standing firm in your faith isn’t always applauded — sometimes it costs you deeply. In this episode, we talk about the pain of facing opposition from those closest to us and the tension between defending our beliefs and guarding our hearts.
When family members mock or reject our faith, the temptation is to respond with anger, silence, or distance. But the gospel calls us to something higher: compassion instead of offense, prayer instead of retaliation, and trust instead of control.
The truth? No one is too far gone for God’s reach — not your skeptical friend, not your resistant sibling, not even the person who hurt you most.
What We Discuss
Why opposition from family hurts differently

The danger of treating loved ones like arguments to win

How bitterness quietly builds walls

Why salvation isn’t powered by persuasion

What Epistle to the Romans 5 teaches about God’s initiating love

How to pray effectively for those who reject your faith

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
No One Is Too Far Gone for God’s Reach
By: Emily Rose Massey
Bible Reading:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8, NASB
My convictions were just too strong to stay silent on that Facebook post. I knew it was a controversial topic, but I didn’t think my own family would turn on me and lash out because of my beliefs. As a Christian, there are times when I need to stand up for what is right, and just like countless times before, I was left to stand alone to be ridiculed for my faith in God and His Holy Word… I just didn’t think my own brother would be the one to hurt me the most with his callous words. Often, the wounds cut deeper when it is those closest to us who wield the sword at us. In that moment, instead of finding the comfort and understanding of my family, the harsh reality that my brother was a lost soul began to set in. I wanted to become angry and lash back, but my heart was much too heavy at the thought that he would spend eternity in hell.
When we meet opposition regarding sharing our faith, it is very easy to become offended at those who mock or push back; perhaps our first instinct is to turn our backs on them or set it in our heart to never discuss the Lord around them ever again. Instead of bitterness or offense towards those who might not agree with our beliefs, we should have compassion on them because, at one time, before Christ saved us, we too were enemies of God and lost. Even if our unsaved friends and family hurt us, these situations should truly drive us to our knees to pray for our lost loved ones. We have to ask the Lord to help us keep our hearts from resentment or offense that would drive a wedge between us or even tempt us to burn a bridge. The Lord is so faithful to fill us up with love for the unlovable. We, too, were the unlovable ones, but God lavished His love upon the cross.
Romans 5 is a powerful chapter in the book of Romans, and in verse 8, we are reminded of God’s great love for us:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, NASB)
Intersecting Faith & Life:
God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for sinners. Not only should this truth cause us to rejoice in the gift of our own salvation, but it should fill our hearts with so much hope that God’s mercy is available to those whom we love. We have to rest in the Lord’s sovereignty and remember that His ways are higher; No amount of persuasive, articulate words of man’s wisdom can save them - the power of salvation is found in the gospel
We have to be careful not to look at our lost loved ones as an argument to win, but a soul that the Lord is more than able to save and rescue from sin and death. If we personally cannot reach them with our words of truth, we can pray that the Lord may bring someone else who could share the gospel with them. Do you long for your family and friends to know God as you do? Does it often feel impossible to get through to them regarding the things of God? Do not lose heart, and continue to pray for their eyes to be opened.
Ask the Lord to begin to prepare their heart to receive His grace to believe that Jesus is the only way to true forgiveness and eternal life. God loves them so much because He created them. Let us have hope that those who seem unreachable can be reached by God Almighty. His grace draws sinners to repentance, and if you are a believer, you are living proof of that. No one is too far gone for His arm to rescue!
Further Reading:
1 John 4:9-10
Ephesians 1:6-8
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The most damaging words we hear are often the ones we say to ourselves. Negative self-talk—phrases like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m a failure”—can quietly shape how we see our worth. Over time, those words begin to feel like truth.
But Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 15:4 that our words hold power: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” While this verse certainly applies to how we speak to others, it also applies to how we speak to ourselves. God never intended for our internal dialogue to crush our spirit.
Highlights
Negative self-talk often stems from comparison and unmet expectations

Internal words can wound as deeply as spoken ones

Awareness is the first step in silencing harmful self-criticism

God’s Word offers life-giving truth to replace destructive thoughts

Speaking to ourselves with kindness reflects God’s grace toward us

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Ending the Toxic Cycle of Negative Self-Talk
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4).
As someone who struggles with negative self-talk, it is hard not to speak badly about myself. Growing up, I could never measure up to my sisters in skill or ability, and even in the present day, I still feel that I fall short. I’m not a gifted speaker, writer, or artist like my family members, and this makes me feel insecure.
My eldest sister was a pro at basketball, and my dad loved watching her play. She was also great at drawing various creatures, including Pokémon, as they were her favorite. My other older sister is a master at writing, crafting stories, creating artwork, and playing the piano. My mom used to praise her splendid piano concertos and art assignments.
I tried my best at art, music, and sports, but I was never good enough. I simply couldn’t measure up. There was no praise, encouragement, or someone cheering me on from the sidelines. This left me feeling completely worthless, which led to the start of negative self-talk.
A few days ago, I was sitting in my primary care doctor’s office when my doctor asked me why I was so glum. I didn’t want to go into detail with him about recent events that led me back to the same feelings of worthlessness. I chose to look at the white and blue checked floors as he went through a depression screening with me. As someone with clinical depression, I’m no stranger to these screenings; however, I had never scored so high as I did at that appointment.
I left the office with a new prescription and a referral to restart therapy, but I did not feel hopeful. On the drive home, I told myself, “I’m just not good enough,” and “I’m a failure.” Anytime we are condescending, hurtful, or mean to ourselves, we are practicing negative self-talk.
When I was in therapy years ago, my therapist asked me to name an adult figure in my life who had been supportive of me. My first thought was my grandma; I called her Mawmaw. My therapist asked me to think of a time when Mawmaw was proud of me. After thinking for a few minutes, my mind flashed back to when my Mawmaw told me I was good at making other people laugh and smile. Her warm smile filled my heart, and I finally felt like I was good at something.
To stop negative self-talk thoughts, we are going to have to dig deep. I didn’t remember the words of my Mawmaw right away, yet after searching for them, I finally knew I could heal. Negative self-talk can eat away at us, yet we must become aware of its voice. Once we start naming negative self-talk and addressing it, we will notice the voice grow quieter.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4). Whenever we are tempted to start talking badly about ourselves, we need to reflect on this passage. While many people think Proverbs 15:4 is only referring to our communication with others, it also includes the way we communicate with ourselves.
By following Proverbs 15:4, we will begin to speak kindly to ourselves. It might sound cliché, but it is important to talk to ourselves as we would talk to a friend. We wouldn’t make mean or derogatory remarks to our friends; therefore, we don’t need to talk to ourselves in this manner. We need to use our words to build ourselves up rather than tearing ourselves down (Ephesians 4:29).
As you navigate life more positively, remember to end the cycle of negative self-talk. Avoid comparing yourself to others or thinking negatively about yourself because of how others have treated you. Focus on what God says about you in the Bible, memorize Bible passages, and reflect upon His love when you are struggling.
Stopping comparison and blotting out unhelpful comments can make a world of difference. How might you start taking Proverbs 15:4 to heart today? What would your self-talk look like if you started being kinder to yourself?
Further Reading:
Mark 12:30-31
Psalm 139:13-16
Ephesians 2:10
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We all make plans. Career goals. Ministry dreams. Personal ambitions. There’s nothing wrong with vision and drive—but Proverbs 16:9 gently reminds us who truly directs the path: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
God often plants desires within us long before we see how they will unfold. The key is not striving to force the outcome, but surrendering the process to the Holy Spirit. When we move forward prayerfully, seek wise counsel, and stay attentive to God’s nudges, He positions us exactly where we need to be—sometimes in ways that exceed what we imagined.
Highlights
God often plants dreams in our hearts before revealing the path forward

Prayer and discernment are essential before taking the next step

Wise counsel helps confirm whether a desire aligns with God’s will

Success is evidence of God’s guidance, not merely our effort

The Holy Spirit leads faithfully when we move step by step in obedience

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org
TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org
Full Transcript Below:
Let the Spirit Guide Your Steps
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
Many years ago, I began to sense in my heart that God wanted me to become a literary agent. This was in addition to my career as an author, and I wanted to help fellow authors get their work into the hands of audiences. However, I had no clue how to get started. One day, I was talking with my husband on a long drive. He asked me what I would do with my life if I weren't an author.
Immediately, I blurted out, “I want to be a literary agent.” After I realized the weight of what I had said, we talked it through. He asked me to speak with my agent regarding the steps in that regard. I had a conversation with my agent, and in a few short months, he had signed me to his agency.
Although I was excited about this new venture, I was still unsure whether I was qualified or even had the business sense to do the task. Although there were no books or manuals on how to become a literary agent, I knew that if I listened to the Holy Spirit, He would guide me step by step.
I have now been with the agency for eight years. Of the 130 books sold, almost 1/4 are my deals. It is shocking to think that I have made that many deals in the eight short years that I've worked for him. Yet when God has nudged me, and I have used my gift of discernment and wisdom to sign a client or shop around their deals, God has placed their work in the right hands at the right time.
The prideful side of me can boast that I did all that on my own. But the humble (or rational) side of me understands that unless the Holy Spirit was guiding my steps, I never could have done any of that on my own.
God was good and allowed me to use my gifts and my heart to help others receive the gospel message through different genres of books and get them into the hands of readers. People are being blessed because of my diligence in working with publishers and getting authors the right deals at the right time.
As humans, we have many plans and desires. While there's nothing wrong with having goals and visions for our lives, we need to make sure those desires and dreams align with God's will. Although it is not entirely possible to know whether our desires are our own or from the Lord, it is essential to follow God's guidance step by step.
Is there an area of your life that you feel you want to take the next step, but don't know how? Do you question whether this desire God has placed on your heart is from God or from yourself?
The best way to know whether this is from God is to pray about it. Additionally, we need to surround ourselves with godly people who have been through life and are willing not only to pray for us and our triumphs but also to challenge us when we're down. If we're making a bad decision, we need to surround ourselves with people we can test these words on and know whether they're from God or from us.
A person who goes about making decisions without carefully weighing them, with those they trust, or who would have a warning from a loved one, will only make matters worse. With God, the decision they make is not irreversible. Still, it could pose a significant danger to their future if they make haphazard decisions without first allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their steps.
Father, let us be people who listen to you. Let us allow you to orient our steps. Let us take each day as an opportunity to take a baby step in faith toward what you are calling us to. Let us be people who listen to others and keep our word, so we can make all the decisions for you. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What decision do you need to make today that you need the guidance of the Spirit? What will you do to enlist his help today?
Further Reading:
Philippians 1:6
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