The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

Fear about the future can make us question whether God will provide what we need. Financial uncertainty, unanswered prayers, changing circumstances, and long seasons of waiting can make fear louder than faith. But 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God’s divine power has already given us everything we need for life and godliness. That doesn't mean we will always know how our needs will be met or when the answer will come. It means we can trust the God who knows what we need before we do.
Jesus points us to the birds of the air as a reminder of God's care and provision. When we focus on fear, we can lose sight of the ways God has already been faithful. But when we intentionally remember His goodness, practice gratitude, and focus our minds on what is true, our perspective begins to change. God may provide through unexpected circumstances, generous people, simple acts of kindness, or opportunities to become an answer to someone else's prayer. Whatever today holds, we can trust that God has equipped us for what He has called us to face.
Highlights
What 2 Peter 1:3 means when it says God has given us everything we need for “life and godliness”
How fear about finances and the future can become louder than our faith
Why remembering God's past faithfulness can help quiet anxiety
What Jesus teaches about God's provision through the birds of the air
How gratitude and focusing on God's truth can change our perspective
The unexpected ways God may provide for our practical and spiritual needs
How simple acts of obedience and kindness can become part of God's provision for someone else
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Full Transcript Below:
Equipped for Today: What "Life and Godliness" Really Means
By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3 ESV).
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of fear, isn’t it?
To focus on the limited knowledge we can see rather than the truth of what God says. I often find myself guilty of this. There are times when faith is louder than fear, yes, but there are other times when fear gets louder than my faith.
What are you afraid of? Finances, or lack thereof, or the future?
The list could go on and on.
I’ve been thinking a lot about God’s provision recently, inspired by a much-needed conversation with a good friend. As someone who works in the creative industry, income can ebb and flow and sometimes be inconsistent, and it’s easy to let the fear of the financial future get louder than my faith.
And that fear hits even closer to home right now as I watch my family navigate a similar season. You see, my dad was laid off from his job late last year, and no matter how many doors he’s knocked on, as I write this, nothing yet has come through.
We know God will provide and that He’s never failed us, but as the days continue with seemingly no answers in sight, sometimes, we wrestle with fear.
Dwelling on fear, as easy as it can be to fall into that trap sometimes, is quite unhealthy. Whatever we dwell on and choose to think about will naturally affect what we believe and how we live. This means if we choose to fix our eyes on things above, then that will naturally affect what we believe about God, ourselves, and the circumstances we find ourselves in.
I had a moment recently where fear threatened to consume me. I’m talking about anxiety physically gripping my heart, even though at church the previous day we’d talked about the importance of believing God’s truth over the lies in our heads. Yes, the timing was quite “convenient.”
There’s a reason Scripture reminds us to focus on: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV).
Instead of worrying God won’t provide, why not reflect on what He has done in our lives already? It’s good to remember and recount what the Lord has done.
When I chose gratitude and to remember His goodness instead of fear, my anxiety began to ease.
The truth is, God always provides for everything we need. Often it comes at what we call “the last minute,” but it is certainly never too late.
I love what Peter reminds us of in this passage here. God has granted us everything we need for life and godliness.
In addition to caring for our spiritual needs, God cares about our material needs as well.
When it comes to the practical side, what do we need for life?
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about what they will eat, wear, or drink. And in verse 26 (ESV), he says: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Let that soak in.
If God cares for the birds of the air and provides everything they need, how much more will He provide for His children?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Look around you. Do you have food to eat? Clothes on your back?
Maybe you don’t know how you’ll pay the bills this month, but maybe you’re not supposed to know right now. I heard a story once about a man who needed money for his little son’s birthday party, but he and his wife didn’t even have that. They didn’t know what to do, but they wanted to bless him. While out on a walk, the Lord led him to the exact amount of money he needed to bless his little boy.
When you need it, God will provide it.
Sometimes, He’ll provide through a family that gives eggs from their farm to yours all summer. Or who invites you over and offers to pray over you. Or maybe God will use the kindness of a friend who introduced my dad to leadership at the company he works for, in hopes it may open a door for a job. Or what about my friend who took 2 hours out of his day to point me to the Lord and be a listening ear when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it?
Sometimes, it’s simple things. Sometimes, we get to be that person for someone else, not realizing how a simple act of obedience can truly bless someone’s day and be what we didn’t even realize they needed. Other times, the Lord allows us to be on the receiving end of His goodness through His children.
Pray with me: Dear Father God, please help me to trust that You will give me everything I need for life and godliness. You care about the sparrows and lilies of the field, so how much more do you care for me and provide for me? Thank You for Your provision in my life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

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When life feels heavy, it’s easy to remember the hurt and forget the help. Painful words, disappointments, and moments of betrayal can stay with us for years, while answered prayers, unexpected blessings, and reminders of God’s faithfulness can fade from memory. Scripture repeatedly calls us to remember what God has done—not because He needs reminding, but because we do.
Remembering God’s goodness can steady your heart when circumstances make you question His presence. As you intentionally look back at His faithfulness, you’re reminded that God has been patient, kind, faithful, and present through every season. Taking time to remember His deeds can shift your focus from what has gone wrong to the God who has never stopped working in your life.
Highlights
Discover why remembering God’s faithfulness is an important part of maintaining a strong faith.
Learn how forgetting God’s goodness can affect your heart and spiritual direction.
Reflect on seven things remembering God’s deeds reminds us of, including His patience, kindness, faithfulness, and sacrifice.
See how remembering God’s past work can bring perspective during difficult seasons.
Consider practical ways to intentionally remember God’s goodness throughout the year.
Be encouraged to look back at answered prayers, blessings, and moments when God has been faithful.
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Full Transcript Below:
Remembering the Lord’s Deeds
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” - Psalm 77:11
It seems that, as people, we so easily forget the good things in life much more quickly than the bad, like the cruel words someone spoke to us as a child or the way someone betrayed us.
Whereas traumas, tragedies, heartaches, and disappointments sometimes seem impossible to forget, some even lingering for a lifetime, joyful and wonderful events and experiences are often easily forgotten.
Maybe it’s why God calls us to purposefully remember His goodness and faithfulness in our lives, knowing the enemy can keep us focused and stuck in the sorrows and losses of life, forgetting all the ways God has been present and active in our lives.
Often, we hear of individuals who, in life-and-death situations, say it seemed as if their life events flashed before them, reminding them of things they had forgotten.
Like them, the prophet Jonah had a similar experience, where it took death’s threats to remind him of God’s goodness. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7).
But it doesn’t have to take us being at death’s door to remember God’s good deeds in our lives, especially since He calls us to remember them, knowing better than we do how forgetting them can lead our hearts astray.
Remembering helps us stay on God’s pathway in our lives. Jeremiah 2:32 describes how easily people forget: “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet My people have forgotten Me, days without number.”
Forgetting has serious consequences as described in Deuteronomy 8:14: “Then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
In addition, Deuteronomy 8:19 points out: “If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.”
What Remembering God’s Deeds Reminds Us Of
The following are seven reasons why remembering is so important to us, and what we are reminded of when we remember:
Remembering reminds us of God’s patience. 2 Peter 3:15 urges us to remember, “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”
Remembering reminds us of God’s kindness. Romans 2:4 encourages us, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Remembering reminds us of how He has humbled and tested us. Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.”
Remembering reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 119:90 proclaims, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.”
Remembering reminds us that He is our source. Deuteronomy 8:18 points out, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
Remembering reminds us of God’s gifts. As Romans 11:29 reminds us, we want to take time to remember, “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.”
Remembering reminds us of God’s sacrifices. 1 John 2:2 clarifies His sacrifice for us: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” As well, Ephesians 5:2 encourages, “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Make time today, this week, and every coming week to remember the Lord’s deeds and remind yourself of why it’s good to remember. Commit to making time throughout the coming year to remember the good of the past.
Further Reading:
A Prayer to Remember Life Is But a Breath
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Fear can feel like a warning system we can't turn off. We worry about the future, replay conversations, imagine everything that could go wrong, and slowly discover that anxiety has taken more from us than we realized. It can affect our faith, relationships, peace, time, gratitude, and even our ability to experience joy. Yet Philippians 4:6-7 offers a different response: instead of carrying our fears alone, we can bring them to God through prayer and thanksgiving and trust Him with what we cannot control.
The good news is that fear doesn't have to have the final word. When anxiety starts shaping the way we see God, ourselves, or the people around us, Scripture calls us back to truth. We can choose faith over fear, gratitude over constant worry, connection over isolation, and prayer over overthinking. God doesn't promise that we will never have reasons to be afraid, but He does promise a peace that can guard our hearts and minds even when our circumstances haven't changed.
Highlights
How fear can quietly rob you of faith and trust in God
Why anxiety makes it harder to recognize and appreciate everyday blessings
How fear can distort the way we see the people around us
Why peace and persistent fear cannot comfortably occupy the same space
How overthinking can consume valuable time without actually solving the problem
Practical ways to shift your attention from fear toward gratitude, prayer, and positive action
Finding lasting joy by focusing on God rather than everything that could go wrong
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Full Transcript Below:
How Fear Robs You
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

Bible Reading:
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, CSB)
Can you relate to worrying about something that you had no business worrying about in the first place? You knew everything would work out; perhaps the stakes were low, or maybe you were prepared for whatever happened. Still, nervousness ate at you.
Anxiety grew.
We hear that word so much these days. Anxiety. And it’s such an innate part of the human experience. Some struggle more than others, but we all have those pressure points that cause us to fret every now and again. What will the future bring, or what won’t it bring?
The word anxiety didn’t come about until the 16th Century, but the concept isn’t new. God’s Word talks about human fear time and time again, from Adam and Eve to Peter denying Jesus.
Fear of the future leads to us making silly, and even reckless, choices. So, while we have fear in common, what we also have in common is what fear takes away from us. This is especially true when we sit with our worries for a prolonged period of time.
If you’ve been living like that, take hope. You’re not the first to struggle with rational or irrational fears. You won’t be the last. But each of us can find encouragement in the same place. Our Father in Heaven.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Let’s go over a few things fear robs from each of us when we submit to it, and what we can do instead.
Fear robs you of faith.
The most obvious thing fear takes from us is faith, our ability to believe in and trust God. When fear’s talking, more than likely, our ears are not attuned to what God has to say.
Instead of thinking fear is telling the truth, consider whether truth instead resides with God. Hint, it does. However hard it may be, keep a record of all the times your anxiety turned out to be true versus God’s Word.
Fear robs you of gratitude.
Anxiety always causes us to overanalyze, overestimate, and underappreciate. Rather than thinking about all the things that could go wrong, ask yourself what could go right. When you weigh what could go wrong versus right, which seems more likely?
Fear robs you of connection.
By its very nature, anxiety consists of thinking negatively. That often means we think negatively of other people, however justified we may feel. The issue is that oftentimes anxiety is inaccurate, and as a result, we’ve given in to an inaccurate view of the other person.
Don’t dwell on their faults. Remember, they, too, are made in the image of God.
Fear robs your peace.
As mentioned, fear leads to negative thinking. You can’t be at peace while your mind is riddled with fear. You have to pick one and walk in that direction, doing all that you can to find it.
Fear robs your time.
How many times have you sat in one spot incessantly thinking about an issue, going over the ins and outs? How many times have you rehashed the same conversations over and over again with the same friend?
There’s a better way to be. Focusing on our issues often exacerbates the problem. But more to the point, instead of dwelling on fear, we ought to keep moving. Doing positive things to focus on more positive thinking.
Taking time to reflect and talk things out is important, but moderate yourself. Don’t give in to the urge to indulge. You won’t feel better, and the problem will just be more cemented in your thinking.
Fear robs you of joy.
Not only is peace impossible when you live life according to your fears. There’s also no way to be happy. Your mind is thinking about all that is going wrong, or could go wrong, instead of the myriad of blessings we experience every day. And we do experience them daily.
You just have to get specific and keep reminding yourself of them day by day. Anxiety is natural for the human condition, but finding joy in God is better for the human condition.
Further Reading:
1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 6:34
Proverbs 3:5-6
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When tomorrow feels heavy before it even arrives, worry can steal the peace God has given you today. The endless what-ifs—What if something goes wrong? What if I can't handle it? What if things don't work out?—can leave you exhausted from carrying problems that haven't happened yet. Jesus offers a different way in Matthew 6:34: “Do not worry about tomorrow.” He isn't telling us to ignore life's difficulties or pretend everything will be easy. He's reminding us that tomorrow belongs to Him.
Letting go of tomorrow requires releasing our need for control and learning to trust God's care one day at a time. Jesus points to the birds and flowers as reminders that our heavenly Father knows what we need and faithfully provides. We don't have to figure everything out today. Through prayer, thanksgiving, and trust, we can bring our fears to God and find the strength and peace we need for the day in front of us.
Highlights
Why Jesus tells us not to carry tomorrow's worries today
How worry and the desire for control can steal our peace
What the birds and flowers teach us about trusting God's provision
Why prayer and praise offer a better path than anxiety and overthinking
How God meets us personally in the middle of our burdens
Learning to trust God with the future, even when tomorrow may bring hardship
A reminder that God's grace is sufficient for each day
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Full Transcript Below:
When You’re Tired of Carrying Tomorrow
By Sarah Frazer
Bible Reading:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34
Walking down a crowded street, gazing across a stadium filled with cheering fans, or even standing among a group of believers raising their hands in praise we often don’t think of the burdens everyone carries. Jesus, in his ministry here on earth didn’t see the masses, He saw the person. When the crowds would gather at the feet of Jesus, begging for help, Jesus looked and touched each one. The healing didn’t happen in masses, but individually. He did not stand on a stage and declare the Words of God. He reached out and looked deep inside our souls to show us the truth of God’s love for each us. He helps carry our burdens personally.
In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus talks about blessedness, prayer, and money. As he spoke to the crowds, did he see the worry, the stress, and the fatigue of each person? In the middle of His sermon He says to them: “don’t worry.” This phrase means to not be anxious or take on the cares of something.
Although the idea carries with it a command, Jesus is not saying “try harder.” Instead, He invited them (and us) to let go. The birds and the flowers, which Jesus gives as examples here are not trying harder not to worry - they just don’t. They don’t work harder at gathering food. They work less. The flowers and birds were created by a loving God who meets all of their needs.
Worry is about letting go.
Because of God’s loving care for us, we have the peace we need to let go of tomorrow's cares. We do not have to carry it any longer. Jesus will later say in Matthew 11:28-30 to lay down our burdens and find rest, true rest, in Him. Anxiety comes from a heart that spends its time overthinking. In a world and age that is consumed with knowledge, we have bought into the lie that more knowledge means more control. And more control means safety.
The birds and the flowers don’t control nature and you and I know we sometimes cannot control the circumstances of our lives. In Matthew 6 Jesus is specifically talking about possessions, money, and treasure. Our treasure is what our heart holds dear. Control can sometimes become our treasure. If we try to control our life, keep it in check, we will only be anxious about tomorrow.
We are heavy and weary from carrying tomorrow’s questions. In the end, it is fear and not trust that keeps us from finding peace today. Paul uses the same word for anxious in Philippians 4:6. He says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Paul offers us a different path. Instead of worry or control, he invites us to prayer and praise. Carrying tomorrow’s worry not only clouds our view but keeps us from connecting with God. Jesus never promised that tomorrow would be trouble-free. In fact, He acknowledged that each day carries enough burdens of its own. But He also reminds us that we were never meant to carry tomorrow before it arrives. Worry pulls us out of the present moment and places us into an imaginary future where fear often goes unchecked. Prayer, however, brings us back to the presence of God.
Look at the birds today. Remember that they depend on the care of their Creator without worry. The flowers bloom without a thought of concern. We, too, can trust our Creator, who loves us deeply. In fact, Jesus says in Luke that we are worth more than any other created being. God invites us to trust Him, and in our prayers, asking God to work, we find peace. God already knows what tomorrow holds, and He holds tomorrow. It isn’t ours to carry anymore.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you live in fear of the future? All of the what-ifs are out of our control, but they are safe in the loving, sovereign hands of our Savior. Jesus died on the cross, securing our eternal home. We can trust Him with our tomorrows.
Our tomorrows might be filled with sorrow, and today you might be facing a daily trial that you wish you could wake up tomorrow and it would be over. Tomorrow might come with hardship and pain. Take Paul’s advice and go to God in prayer. Trust that God’s grace will be sufficient for each day. More than that, we know our God says we do not carry our sorrows alone. What burden are you carrying today that God never asked you to hold alone? Take that worry to Him in prayer.
Further Reading:
Psalm 55:22
Lamentations 3:22-23
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
Exodus 16:18-21
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When a dream falls apart or a door you prayed would open suddenly closes, it can leave you wondering what God is doing. Maybe you've worked toward a particular career, relationship, opportunity, or ministry, only to hear “no,” “wait,” or nothing at all. Closed doors can feel like rejection, but what if God is using them as redirection? Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that while we make plans, the Lord ultimately establishes our steps.
Surrendering our plans to God isn't always easy, especially when we genuinely believe we've found the path we were meant to take. But God's “no” doesn't mean He has abandoned us. Sometimes He is protecting us, sometimes He is preparing us for something different, and sometimes we may never know why a particular door closed. The invitation is to trust the Author of our story, release our grip on the outcome, and pray, “Your will be done.”
Highlights
Why God's closed doors don't necessarily mean rejection
Learning to trust God when your plans don't unfold as expected
How a “no” from God can become a redirection or protection
The challenge of wanting God's will more than our own plans
Finding peace when you're facing a “not yet” or a season of waiting
How to surrender specific outcomes and remain open to God's leading
Three questions to help you discern where God may be leading next
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Full Transcript Below:
When God, the Author, Rewrites Your Plans
By Hannah Benson
Bible Reading:
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV).
I just returned from living in the beautiful state of Tennessee for over 4 weeks, working on a feature film project. As I’ve been processing all the Lord has done, I’ve reflected on this verse in Proverbs in particular.
When I was a little girl, it was my dream to serve the Lord through media missions.
As a young woman, how is that dream now a reality?
Only God.
The truth is, we all have dreams, hopes, and plans. There is nothing wrong with making plans and hoping for something. In fact, God often places these desires in our hearts.
What about when our plans fall through? When we feel like we’re praying, begging for a breakthrough, but heaven seems silent, or worse yet, God says no?
There have been times in my life when I found myself on my knees praying for something, only for the door to slam shut. When we have our plans, sometimes we can question why.
Why would God withhold something good from us?
I can’t claim to know God’s reasons. After all, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-11). Sometimes, rejection is our protection.
I have often found in my life that God will open doors that will draw me closer to Him and will bring Him the most glory. When He withholds something, it could simply be that I long for that thing more than I long for the will of the Lord to be done.
That’s convicting.
I want to desire God’s will far more than I desire anything else.
That’s hard.
When Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He tells them to start by praying “Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (v. 9, 10 ESV).
Notice the part about “your will be done.” God’s will is perfect. We should have a heart that desires to see God’s perfect will unfold here on earth as it does in heaven. We know God has good plans for us that are far better than anything we could dream or even begin to hope for.
It’s one thing to agree with our lips, but quite another to truly desire in our hearts when God’s will isn’t always ours.
What about when God says no?
When God allows a door to quietly close?
I wish I could say it’s easy to accept those no’s, but I don’t know that it ever gets easier.
When we receive a no from God, sometimes, we may never understand why. Other times, we’ll look back and realize it was His protection or He had different plans that may’ve never unfolded otherwise.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
It can be incredibly difficult when our plans fall apart, when a dream begins to fade, or when a door we’ve knocked on stays firmly locked. It’s okay to grieve and to take our pain to Jesus. In fact, He wants us to share everything on our hearts with Him.
But a closed door, a changed plan, or a dream that feels dead isn’t a sign of God’s abandonment. Instead, it’s proof of God, the Author’s hand over each of our lives, writing in each moment, caring for us so deeply as He sketches out all the details. Think about that.
He cares about us so deeply that He’ll tell us no, shut a door, or change our plans.
As I reflect on my own life, I can see the doors God has closed and others He has flung wide open. If it weren’t for the “no’s” of the past, I don’t think I would’ve received or appreciated all the “yeses” of today. That doesn’t mean there aren’t “nos,” “not yets,” or “waits” in this current season.
But when there are, I want to remember that every closed door isn’t a rejection but a redirection, a beautiful gift from God.
His plans aren’t always ours. His thoughts are often far beyond what we could imagine.
And honestly?
Thank God.
If you are facing a closed door today, take some time to consider the following questions:
Are you gripping a specific outcome so tightly that you’re missing where the Lord may be leading you next?
Can you find peace in the truth that God’s "no" is an act of sovereign protection?
How can you shift your prayers today from "Lord, do things my way" to "Your will be done"?
Pray with me:
Dear Father, thank You that Your plans aren’t always mine. Thank You for every "no," for every time You tell me to wait, or when You whisper, “not yet.” Thank You for the times You shut doors just as much as when You open them. Please help me surrender to Your leading and release my plans to You. Lord, please don’t let me miss where You are calling me next. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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