The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

When your adult child is going through heartbreak, it can be difficult to know what to do. You want to protect them, take away their pain, and somehow make everything better—but you can't walk through the heartbreak for them. Whether they are grieving a breakup, betrayal, disappointment, or another painful relationship experience, Christian parents can learn to support their adult children while trusting God to carry them through the storm.
Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that God doesn't promise a life without painful seasons, but He does promise His presence in the middle of them: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” As a parent, that means you don't have to fix your adult child's heartbreak. You can listen, offer a steady and loving presence, pray for them, and give their pain and future to God, trusting Him to bring healing, wisdom, and hope in His timing.
Highlights
How to support an adult child through heartbreak without trying to fix everything
Why parents must learn to trust God with their grown children's pain
How Isaiah 43:2 offers hope in seasons of grief and emotional pain
Practical ways to be present for an adult child who is hurting
Why listening can be more helpful than offering advice or pity
How to cast your own anxiety about your child's pain on God
Finding faith, hope, and love while waiting for healing and redemption
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Full Transcript Below:
Giving Your Adult Child’s Heartbreak to God
By: Lia Girard
Bible Reading:
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
– Isaiah 43:2, NIV
As Christians, we know that Jesus doesn’t promise a trouble-free life here on earth. Which naturally means we can expect that there will be days or seasons of pain, heartache, confusion, or grief. However, just knowing that we’re human (and that hurt will find us eventually) doesn’t prevent the sadness and anger heartbreak causes—whenever and however it shows up. We can try to gird ourselves with gratitude, faith, and hope. Relying on this inclination can help us weather storms. But we can’t make the storms simply not come.
Being a parent of two adult children, I deeply understand the desire to wish every hard thing away from your children’s lives. It starts early, before their very first injury, and continues through your entire parenting journey. And although you know that surviving struggles will help your children build compassion, wisdom, and strength, this can get dicey when it comes to someone mistreating them or breaking their heart.
Because you’ve raised your child to be an adult, you know they’re “out there” in this world, taking chances, loving deeply, and making their own choices. Yet you still want to be there for them, whenever they may need you. But the role has shifted fully now, from daily provider to encourager as they chart their own path. You know it’s right to raise adults, and not “baby” your grown children, but it’s also a strange and somewhat tender passage. It means letting go of having a say-so and just being available for them as they seek direction from the ultimate parent, God.
In Isaiah 43:2, God is reassuring the Israelites that he is carrying them through their exile, no matter how hard it seems. And he is assuring all of us today that no matter what your adult child is walking through, God promises to step right into the murky water with them.
Later in Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Some biblical scholars say that God is clearly stating here that when a situation is dire and feels unbearable, he will never abandon you and is working on something new for you.
This is good news when your own heart is aching because someone has broken your adult child’s heart. It means you can be sure that God is in control of your child’s recovery. Remember, it’s a promise. And for your own heart, while you’re believing in God to carry your child through grief, you can lean into 1 Peter 5:7, and “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
When someone hurts your grown child’s heart, leaving them holding a heavy load of bewilderment or loneliness, let them know you love them and are right here for anything they want or need. Keep checking in and listening. It’s likely they’ve been through enough maturing to not want or need you to preach to them, offer them pity, or even cry with them—though I know you want to. Because God is with them, you can be the same present, interested, loving parent you’ve always been, and have faith in better days ahead.
You may have been through to the other side of heartbreak yourself and seen the kind of redemption your child hasn’t. Yet. It’s certain they will encounter their own unique ups, downs, and renewals.
So be patient. Be kind. And remember that the final verse of the famous 1 Corinthians 13 “love chapter” that tells us true love is patient and kind, also encourages us:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Remind your child that God loves them, and so do you. And that you believe God’s promise: that He will carry them through.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When you want to “fix” your adult child’s relationship heartbreak, consider instead offering your loving presence in ways like these:
Invite them to lunch, dinner, or dessert somewhere they’ve been wanting to try
Find and suggest a nature hike to enjoy together
Have them over to watch a show or sports game you both enjoy
If they’re far away, send them something soothing, like socks, slippers, or a delivery dinner
Interact with them the same way you always have—with love, joy, and interest in them
Ask: Do you want to talk? And respect their wishes.
Further Reading:
Psalm 147:3
Psalm 55:22
Psalm 23
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Sharing your faith doesn’t have to mean having the perfect answer to every question about Christianity or knowing exactly what to say. Christian witness is about showing and sharing the love of Jesus with the people around you. But how can you talk about your faith without coming across as judgmental, pushy, or disconnected from where someone is? The Bible calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and that starts with the way we live, listen, and treat others.
When we approach evangelism with kindness, humility, and genuine love, we create opportunities for meaningful conversations about God and the gospel. We may not see an immediate response, and we may not have every answer, but we can faithfully plant seeds of faith and trust God with the results. A Christ-centered witness isn't about winning an argument—it's about pointing people toward Jesus in a way that reflects His love.
Highlights
How to share your faith without being judgmental or pushy
Why our actions and character can be a powerful Christian witness
The importance of speaking biblical truth with love
How to share your personal testimony with others
Why listening and meeting people where they are matters when witnessing
How even a simple conversation can plant a seed of faith
Why we can trust God with the results of our witness
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Full Transcript Below:
A Kinder Way to Witness
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35 (NIV)
One evening, as I was leaving the building where I worked in Washington, D.C., I saw a man standing in the middle of walking traffic, holding a megaphone and shouting at everyone as they passed by. He was telling them to stop sinning and was using a lot of words that only Christians who know the Bible understand. I also noticed that he had an angry demeanor. I walked away thinking, “That’s not how you get people to want to know Jesus Christ.”
I’m not an expert nor an evangelist, but I believe there is a kinder way to witness. The Bible says we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). God doesn’t tell us to hit people over the head with The Holy Bible, shout angry words of condemnation through a megaphone or microphone, nor tell people bluntly that they are going to hell or make them feel lesser than for not yet knowing Jesus.
I would like to suggest a kinder way to witness. Here’s what I believe: First, we preach with our lives. John MacArthur, an American pastor, stated, “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” According to Google, “This quote highlights the concept that for non-Christians, a believer’s daily actions, character, and life testimony serve as their very first (and sometimes only) exposure to the teachings of Jesus. The quote challenges believers to live a consistent, transparent life that accurately reflects God's Word. It emphasizes that a Christian's behavior should draw others toward Christ rather than drive them away.”
Second, Christians should acknowledge that we are all sinners who need a Savior. But then speak the truth in love. Start by telling people about a King (God) who loves them so much that He left the glory and perfection of Heaven to come to Earth in human form to save our souls. Encourage them to read John 3:16-17 for details. Let the people know that this Eternal King offers them life after death in a place (Heaven) so wonderful that no human words in any language can describe. Let the people know that the way to have eternal life after death is through accepting the free gift of salvation offered through a relationship with God’s Son (Jesus Christ).
Third, be prepared to share your testimony about why you believe in God and have accepted Jesus as your Savior. When I worked as a journalist, I had a conversation with a co-worker. He wanted to talk about my faith in God. After I told him why I believe in God and follow Jesus Christ, the conversation turned to the Bible. He told me that the Bible doesn’t make sense when you read it from a journalist's perspective. I didn’t know what to say then, but years and more life experience later, I realize I should have responded that you have to read the Bible through a lens of faith with help from The Holy Spirit to understand it because spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).
When I told him that God has sheep in other pastures (John 10:16), he became offended. He told me that he hates it when Christians say that because he is not dumb like a sheep. I realized then that I didn’t know how to reach him with God’s truth. I knew not to be aggressive in witnessing about Christ to him, and I did my best to speak the truth in love, but I didn’t have the life experiences and deeper wisdom that I have now. I wasn’t equipped to effectively win his soul to Jesus. But I believe I did plant a seed of faith in him during that conversation, and I know that God can send more Christ-followers to him and everyone else who doesn’t know Jesus yet, and those Christians can water the seeds I and others planted to the point where, if he is willing, he can have faith in Jesus that blooms.
Finally, I’d like to say that people have to be willing to follow Jesus. God will never force anybody to believe in Him and follow Christ. He gave us all free will. But He does encourage us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19).
What I learned from my conversations with people over the years is that when witnessing, it is more effective if you meet unbelievers on their level and speak in terms they can understand. Just like an effective teacher learns the learning styles of each of their students, then tailors each lesson to speak to them in a way they will understand, we as Christians need to follow a similar suit when witnessing.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on three songs (listed below).
Song of Reflection #1: “The Introduction” by Laos in Harmony. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “Know Us By Our Love” by Moriah. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Forever” by Kari Jobe Carnes. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? How can you, who know Jesus, tell the world about our Savior in a kind way?
Further Reading:
John 14:1-6
Romans 6:23
1 Peter 3:15-16
Matthew 5:16
2 Corinthians 5:20
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Through the story of Abraham, we see what it means to trust God before seeing the outcome. God promised Abraham descendants, a land, and a legacy that would bless generations. Yet many of those promises took years—and even generations—to unfold. Abraham did not always understand how God would fulfill His promises, and he did not live to see every part of them completed. Still, God remained faithful.
When progress feels slow or the results of our work remain unseen, it can be tempting to quit. But a lack of visible results does not mean God is absent or inactive. Faith often means continuing to obey, trust, and move forward while we wait for God's purposes to unfold.
Highlights
What Abraham's story teaches us about trusting God's timing
Why God's promises are not always fulfilled according to our preferred timeline
How Abraham waited years to see the birth of Isaac
Why faith means obeying God even when we do not know the outcome
How discouragement can grow when we focus only on visible results
Why a lack of immediate progress does not mean God is not working
How remembering God's faithfulness can strengthen us while we wait
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Full Transcript Below:
Faith While We Wait
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
“I am done! I have spent hours investing in this ministry, and after a year, still nothing has changed,” I yelled into the air. I’d felt confident in God’s leading me to start this new program for the community, yet everywhere I turned, I was faced with opposition, roadblocks, and general disappointment.
Admittedly, I am great at starting things but horrible at finishing them– especially when I can’t see the fruits of my labor. I shared with my husband that I was contemplating throwing in the towel; I’d obviously misheard God speaking to my heart.

My husband, who, thank goodness, is always there to calm me and offer a word of encouragement or a different perspective, gently nudged me to recall what we’d been studying in Sunday School recently. A few months prior, my husband and I began teaching through the book of Genesis, line by line. Just the previous week, we covered God’s promise to Abraham to make him into a great nation. God promises to give Abraham a purpose, a place, and people, but God doesn’t tell him how or when He will fulfill them. ⁠
Let’s look at the first part of God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. This promise would have been difficult for Abraham to digest because at the time, he and his wife, Sarah, were childless. Abraham did have a son with his female slave, Hagar, but God is clear that he is not the one to whom God will fulfill his promise (Genesis 21:5). Eventually, God does give Sarah and Abraham a child, Isaac, but it is 25 years later! Talk about a test of patience and faith.
The Lord also promises, “To your offspring I will give this land (Genesis 12:7). Abraham moves his family from the place they’ve always called home into a foreign land where they are strangers, temporary residents, all on a promise of future ownership.
Abraham spends his life traveling through the Promised Land as a visitor; he never takes ownership in his lifetime. And, it will be many years before the Israelites inhabit it, after centuries of trials and tribulations. God does make Abraham’s name great so that he can bless the many generations before him. Yet, this doesn’t happen overnight; Abraham dies before he sees the fulfillment of God’s promises. But as we know, God was faithful to keep His promise.
It’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t see earthly results, but that doesn’t mean God isn't at work. God works on His timeline, not ours. Abraham is listed in Hebrews 11 as a man who walked by faith. If you read through Abraham’s story, you will see that he didn’t always walk by faith flawlessly, yet he trusted in God to keep His promises. Abraham obeyed God’s commands without knowing the outcome.
As I think about Abraham and the numerous others in Scripture who walked by faith, even when they didn’t see results, they continued to press on to what God called them to do. Selfishly, I pray I will be able to see positive movement in ministry visually, but if not, I’ll remind myself that even when I can’t see it, God is faithful.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Has God called you to something, but you are struggling to remain faithful? Write down 3 promises that God fulfilled in Scripture and put them somewhere to encourage you when you're wavering.

Further Reading:
Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty
Hebrews 11
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What does it mean to keep going when life takes an unexpected and painful turn? We reflect on Hebrews 11:1 and the importance of cultivating faith, hope, and confidence in God—even when we cannot see what lies ahead.
Through the story of Otto Frank and the legacy he carried forward after unimaginable loss, we are reminded that pain does not have to be the end of our story. While we may face seasons of doubt, grief, uncertainty, or struggle, faith invites us to continue trusting God when the path ahead is unclear.
The Bible reminds us that faith is more than simply believing when life is easy. It is confidence in God when we cannot yet see the outcome. Through prayer, Scripture, and an active relationship with Him, we can strengthen our trust and keep moving forward—one faithful step at a time.
Highlights
Discover what Hebrews 11:1 teaches about faith, hope, and trusting God.
Learn how faith can help us keep going through difficult and uncertain seasons.
Reflect on the difference between seeing the outcome and trusting God without seeing it.
Find encouragement for moments when doubt and unbelief begin to take hold.
Explore how prayer and Bible reading can help cultivate stronger faith.
Remember the prayer from Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
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Full Transcript Below:
Cultivating the Faith to Keep Going
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the eight Jews in hiding within the Secret Annex, would have felt intense loss upon his return to Amsterdam after the Allies' defeat of Nazi Germany. He was already notified by previous prisoners about the death of his wife, Edith. She had died in Auschwitz due to starvation. However, he had hope that his two daughters, Margot and Anne, were still alive. This was the hope that ultimately kept him alive.
Through the Red Cross, sisters Janny and Lien Brilleslijper, contacted Otto and notified him of the death of his two daughters. They had both died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen. Unable to stand the pain, he confided in the helpers of the Secret Annex: Miep Gies, Jan Gies, Victor Kugler, Johannes Kleiman, Bep Voskuijl, and Johan Voskuijl. Although several of them had been taken by the Nazis after their hiding place was discovered, they were able to escape or be released based on medical reasons. Once Miep was notified that Anne had passed away in Bergen-Belsen, she handed Anne’s beloved diary to Otto.
At first, Otto could not bring himself to read it, yet with time, he became absorbed in his daughter’s writing. He would later reflect that it was only through Anne’s diary that he truly knew her. In Anne’s Diary, Anne disclosed how there were two versions of herself: the outgoing, bubbly version and the quiet, reserved, and thoughtful version. Otto said he never knew his daughter held such expressive views and thoughts. He encouraged every parent to truly get to know their child, support them, and be the parent you wanted your parents to be to you.
For the rest of his life, Otto dedicated his time and energy to bringing awareness to Anne’s diary, advocating for acceptance over hate, and the need to end anti-semitism. To prevent the past from repeating, we must learn from it. Although Otto had been through unspeakable pain, he used what resources he had to keep the memory of his daughter alive. Through Otto, the Anne Frank Fonds was founded in January 1963. He also founded the Anne Frank House, which attracts over 1.3 million people every year.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The Bible tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Although Otto’s hope was dashed to pieces after hearing the news of his daughters’ deaths, he kept pushing forward in life. He had a purpose: to make his daughter’s memory known to the world and to fulfill her wish to become a writer. In our own lives, we must advance with this same confidence.
If we have faith in God, nothing can hinder our lives. Cultivating faith in God can be challenging, especially if we have experienced a troubling time, but we are never without help. The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit can foster a steadfast hope within us. This hope is like an everlasting candle; a candle that can never burn out.
What is currently bringing doubts into your heart? Perhaps you are doubtful that God will bring you out of this difficult season, or if you will overcome a certain sin you are struggling with. Rather than doubting God, believe. As the father of the sick child said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
Overcoming doubts and unbelief can be realized by spending time with God in prayer and Bible reading. By actively participating in your relationship with God, your faith in Him will grow. There may be difficult times ahead, but if your faith in God is strong, you can overcome even the toughest of situations. As the writer of Hebrews says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Foster hope in God; He will never fail you.
Do you doubt God in your daily life? What are some ways you can cultivate hope, confidence, and trust in God?
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:7
Romans 15:13
Isaiah 43:2
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Strong relationships are not built simply by having the right advice or knowing exactly what to say. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is listen. Kelly Balarie explores the wisdom of James 1:19 and the importance of becoming a thoughtful listener instead of rushing to conclusions.
It can be easy to hear only part of someone's words and fill in the gaps with our own assumptions. But truly listening requires patience. It means slowing down long enough to understand not only what someone is saying, but also what may be beneath their words and what they may genuinely need from us.
Highlights
Why jumping to conclusions can damage communication
What it means to be “quick to hear” and “slow to speak”
How assumptions can keep us from truly understanding others
Three things to listen for: what is being said, what may be beneath the words, and what the person may need
Why the right words can still hurt when delivered with the wrong tone or timing
How being slow to anger helps create space for understanding
Why seeking to understand is more powerful than simply trying to prove a point
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Full Transcript Below:
One Tip to Forge Strong Relationships
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]…” – James 1:19 AMPC
I heard the first half of what she said, “Mom, I really don’t want to…because…”.
But what I didn’t hear was everything after she spoke the word “because”. All that? Her words were muffled. I entirely missed the last part of everything she said.
So, I just filled in the gap with my own conclusion. And my conclusion was not positive. I figured the worst.
“Mom, that’s not even what I am saying,” she said. “You’re not even listening. You’re getting it all wrong; I didn’t even say that.”
She was right; I jumped to conclusions.
Ever been there? Maybe I’m not alone. Sometimes it is easy to fill in blanks with our own thoughts. It’s hard to endure gaps, waits, and the unknown. It is easier to get to the point, the end of the story, the conclusion, and to wrap things up with a bow.
I’m sure that most of us love to get to our favorite part of a song. The beginning lines hang in waiting until we can make it to the chorus that unloads the song. We don’t like waiting.
However, I’m learning, waiting is wisdom.
James 1:19 AMPC says, “Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]…”
True understanding is thoughtful listening. Thoughtful listening often requires us to listen more deeply to understand more fully. It requires us to hear:
What is being said on face value?
What is under the surface of the speaker’s words?
What the other person needs.
Words have the ability to heal or hurt.
How many of us can remember a mean word spoken over us in middle school? It’s funny, the kind words don’t last, but the mean ones seem to. We remember a word for decades, as if it were yesterday.
God knows, this is why His Word instructs us to be slow to speak. Not everything we think needs to be said. In fact, the less we say, the more impact what we do say has.
The key? Rightly discerning what God wants said. Rightly understanding what needs to be said. Rightly noticing the proper time to say it.
A wise counselor could give the most biblical advice ever, but if it is said with the wrong tone, at the wrong time, or belabored in the wrong way, it most certainly will fall on deaf ears. We can be right in our words and absolutely wrong in our delivery. We can speak the truth and actually hurt someone with it if we do so from a spirit of anger.
To build strong relationships is to seek to understand. People know when one wants to be right and when they want to understand; there is a difference.
This is why we are quick to listen. Because loving is listening. Understanding lets others know we are there for them rather than proving a point.
And love is what we are after.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What would it look like for you to truly listen? Do you formulate comebacks in your mind before the other person is done speaking, or do you truly listen to what they are saying?
Rather than giving advice or having all the answers, what would it look like for you to put yourself in their shoes – and care. Doing this forges strong and trustworthy relationships.

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