Feeding the Inner Man in the Secret Place

Relief is found when the heart turns inward to meet with Him. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is not merely a command; it is an invitation into restoration.

The secret place is not defined by location, but by posture. It is the inward turning of the heart toward God in the midst of daily life. Even when irritation arises, even when words around us disturb our peace, God is still at work. Scripture assures us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). This does not mean all things are good—but that God weaves them together for our spiritual formation. Often, what feels like interruption becomes an invitation to deeper communion.

In these moments, wisdom calls us to read not what is impressive, but what is suited to our present need. Spiritual reading is not about volume or achievement; it is about nourishment. Just as the body requires different food in different seasons, the soul must be fed according to its condition. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Some days require strong exhortation; other days need only a single gentle reminder of God’s nearness.

As we read, we must also pause. God’s voice is not rushed. It is often heard in the spaces between words. Scripture says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Listening requires stillness. When we pause, we give the Spirit room to direct us—not with urgency, but with clarity. Direction flows not from striving, but from attentiveness.

It is remarkable how God feeds the spirit through simplicity. Two or three words, spoken by the Spirit, can sustain the soul for an entire day. Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). These words may not remain in the memory, but they do not disappear. They settle quietly into the spirit, accomplishing their work beneath awareness. The mind may forget, but the spirit remembers.

This is the hidden work of God. Growth in the inner life is often unseen and uncelebrated. Scripture compares it to seed scattered into the ground: “The seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how” (Mark 4:27). The Spirit works secretly, strengthening the inner man little by little. What feels insignificant in the moment becomes strength in time.

In the secret place, the spirit feeds and grows strong. Not through effort, but through presence. Not through noise, but through quiet obedience. Jesus reminds us, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” (Matthew 6:6). The reward is not always visible, but it is always real. Peace deepens. Discernment sharpens. The inner life becomes ordered.

This is how God forms us—gently, quietly, faithfully. The secret place is where the soul learns to rest, the spirit learns to listen, and the heart learns to trust. And there, in stillness, God does His deepest work.