The Light

Even in the midst of a crisis, it is possible to find peace. When the bottom drops out Jesus Christ will give you the strength you need. Why not put your trust in Him today?

The Grace to You radio broadcast for July 17, 2026.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws from Scripture to examine the Spirit’s subtle but powerful ministry of inner promptings—those hunches, convictions, and flashes of clarity that guide believers toward God’s purposes when they are paying attention.

From the Series: How Great Is Our God!

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What if your greatest spiritual growth isn't found on the mountaintops, but in the valleys? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 5:3 and discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed. Seasons of loss, uncertainty, and weakness often create the very space where God's presence, grace, and strength become most real.

While it's natural to long for life's mountaintop moments, our deepest dependence on God is often formed during difficult seasons. When our hearts are emptied of self-reliance and worldly security, they become open to being filled with Christ. The valleys may not be easy, but they often become the places where our faith grows stronger and our relationship with Jesus grows deeper.

Highlights:

• Discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed in Matthew 5:3.
• Learn how seasons of difficulty can deepen your faith more than seasons of comfort.
• See how Peter's failures revealed his need for God's grace rather than his own strength.
• Understand why childlike dependence on Christ is central to the Christian life.
• Be encouraged that God often uses life's valleys to draw us closer to Him.
• Find hope knowing that when we feel empty, God is ready to fill us with His presence and strength.

Join the Conversation

Have you experienced a season where God met you most powerfully in the middle of hardship? How has a difficult valley strengthened your faith and dependence on Him? We'd love to hear your story in the comments.

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Full Transcript Below:

The Blessing of Being Empty

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 ESV).

Have you ever considered that perhaps the blessing isn’t in the mountaintops but found in the valley?

So many of us live our lives longing for the proverbial “mountaintops,” for the moments when everything is perfect. Or, at least, seems to be.

It’s not wrong to pray and hope for good things. For good jobs, loving families, great friends. Besides, we know God loves to give good gifts to His children.

But what if instead of living our lives longing for the mountaintops and enduring the valleys because we think we have to, what if we saw the valleys as a gi

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

Find joy in knowing that God's greatest gift to us is His perfect love. 

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