Overflow in the Secret Place

Hey there, Sis! ❤️

I was really sitting with last week's devotional about doubt and belief because I know that it's something that is super relatable but not often talked about. Oftentimes, we don't share those moments and seasons when we are struggling in our faith—when we may feel doubtful and even distant from God because of discouragement, fear, and various insecurities.

Let's be honest: we want to present ourselves as always firm in our faith, with unwavering belief. However, God is not looking for us to pretend or perform because He can see through that anyway. He is not looking for us to act like we are unbothered and have everything under control. What He is looking for is for us to bring those doubts, fears, and insecurities directly to Him—our Source.

Something that is so important for us to understand as we continue walking in God's overflow is the importance of being in His presence. Because the real tea is, Sis: overflow begins in the secret place.

The secret place—the feet of Jesus, an intimate and safe space in God's presence—is where we find Mary while Martha is running around the house doing in Luke 10. This isn't to compare the two or shame Martha. However, in this story, we get a clear illustration of what it looks like to be doing versus being.

The world teaches us that, in order to experience success, we have to hustle and constantly be doing. However, this is not what God teaches. In Luke 10, while Martha is running around making preparations, she becomes a little frazzled and says, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

What stands out to me in this passage is that Mary chose presence over productivity. She chose intimacy over activity. Martha wasn’t wrong for serving, but in the midst of all that she was doing, she lost sight of the One she was doing it for, which resulted in overwhelm and frustration.

Can you relate, Sis? Have you ever found yourself carrying the weight of a full to-do list and feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to be done? Sometimes, in the midst of caring for the things and people God has entrusted to us, we can forget the importance of slowing down and being present with Him.

This is important to recognize because even in the things of God, we can begin to operate from a works-based mentality, striving for things such as money, recognition, and titles that were never meant to bring us true fulfillment. But as Jesus said, “few things are needed—or indeed only one.”

Jesus was not saying that serving, preparing, or taking responsibility were wrong. He was reminding Martha that her heart had become consumed by many things when the most important thing was right in front of her: His presence. Mary understood that being with Jesus was not a distraction from what needed to be done; it was the very thing that would strengthen her for everything else.

In the same way, God is not calling us to abandon our responsibilities, dreams, or the work He has entrusted to us. He is inviting us to make sure our hearts are anchored in Him first. Because when we begin from a place of intimacy with God, we no longer strive for fulfillment from what we do or what we achieve. We are able to receive from Him and pour out from a place of overflow.

And this truth doesn't stop with Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Jesus reinforces it again in John 15 when He says:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful... Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:1–5)

Notice that He doesn't say, "Work harder and you will bear fruit." He says, "Remain in me." The fruit is simply the evidence of our connection to Him. Jesus reminds us that true fruitfulness is not produced through striving—it's produced through abiding.

Just as a branch cannot produce fruit on its own but must draw life from the vine, we are nourished, strengthened, and transformed through our connection with God. It is in His presence that we receive what we need to bear fruit and walk in the overflow He has prepared for us.

5 Marks of Overflow Revealed in the Secret Place:

Discernment and Direction

In the secret place, we position ourselves to become in sync—one with God. As we spend time with Him, God begins to speak to us about the people, places, and things in our lives, showing us where adjustments may be needed. We create space for God to reveal where we are and where He desires to take us, giving us insight on what to do next in our personal lives, relationships, businesses, careers, ministries, and so forth.

In the secret place, God is able to remind us of the plans and purposes He has spoken over our lives. We are reminded of what is ahead and no longer consumed by what is behind us. He gently redirects our attention back to Him, allowing us to see our lives, circumstances, and seasons through an eternal perspective again.

Love and Connection

God is a loving God, and He wants nothing more than for us to be closely connected to Him. The Word tells us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

When we are struggling with doubt, disappointment, and discouragement, the secret place becomes a safe space where God reminds us of how deeply He loves us. In the secret place, God literally fills us back up. After we have poured out all week into our spouse, our jobs, our children, our families, our friends, and whatever else it may be, the secret place is where God restores us. It is where He replenishes what has been poured out.

Validation and Reassurance

In the secret place, as we become still before God, He will graciously bring to the surface the insecurities, mindsets, and attitudes that need to be pruned so that we can walk fully in all He has for us. Then, He begins to remind us of what He has already spoken over us—that we are good, chosen, and created and called by Him. In the secret place, God helps us dismantle negative mindsets and attitudes rooted in doubt, lack, scarcity, and the belief that we are not enough.

Peace and Comfort

In the secret place, God restores our peace and brings us comfort. Peace becomes our umpire—our compass that helps us determine if we are moving in the right direction.

Coming into the secret place brings us back into alignment with God, giving us a peace that surpasses all understanding. So despite what things may look like around us, we begin to experience His comfort and His peace. Oftentimes, doubt creeps in because we begin looking at situations through the lens of our own limited experiences, returning to a place of self-reliance. Instead, God invites us to focus on His sovereignty, His power, and His supernatural ability to do what we cannot do on our own.

Character Building and Identity Restoration

God does not want to bless us with something that we are not ready to steward. Think about it: what is the point of giving a child a blessing or responsibility that you know they are not mature enough to handle? What would be the point of giving more without first building the capacity to sustain it?

When it comes to experiencing more of God and walking in overflow, there is also a level of maturity that must be developed. Our character is pruned and refined in the presence of God.

In His presence, God reveals the areas where He is still working in us. He does this with love and grace, reminding us that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion."

In His presence, we are reminded of who we really are. Not our titles or what we present to the world, but the women God knew before we were even formed in our mother's womb.

When our character is developed and we are rooted in our true identity in Christ, we are better equipped to steward the overflow that God has prepared for us.

Final Encouragement:

Sis, just as summer reveals what was planted in hidden seasons, God is revealing what He has been cultivating within you.

As we have walked through these 5 marks of overflow revealed in the secret place, I pray you are reminded that overflow begins before it is ever seen. Before it reaches your hands, it must first take root in your heart. Before it is poured out publicly, it is developed privately in the presence of God.

The secret place is where God strengthens, restores, refines, and prepares us. It is also where our overflow is sustained because we were never meant to pour out from a place we are not continually being filled.

So whether you’ve been feeling spiritually depleted, emotionally stretched, or quietly wondering if there is “enough” for you in this season, remember this: in the Kingdom of God, lack is not your identity… overflow is. And that overflow begins and is sustained in the secret place.

Reflection:

What distractions, responsibilities, or desires have made it difficult for you to slow down and spend time in God’s presence?

Are there areas where you have been focusing more on productivity than presence? What might God be inviting you to prioritize?

What would it look like for you to create more space for God’s presence in your daily life and allow Him to fill you before you pour out?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for inviting me into the secret place, where I find rest, restoration, and renewal in Your presence. Thank You that I do not have to strive for what only You can provide. You are my Source, and true overflow begins with abiding in You.

Lord, forgive me for the times I have been so focused on doing that I have neglected simply being with You. Help me to remain connected to You and trust that everything I need flows from Your presence.

Father, teach me what it means to remain in You. Strengthen my desire for Your presence above Your promises, Your gifts, and the things I desire. Help me to remember that the greatest overflow is found in knowing You.

Refine my heart, strengthen my faith, and reveal the areas where You are still working in me. Fill me in the secret place so that I can pour out from a place of abundance.

Thank You for reminding me who You are and who I am in You. May my life reflect the overflow that comes from being connected to You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Scriptures to meditate on this week:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1 NIV)

Connect

© 2026 Written Miracles. All rights reserved.