Kyle Winkler

As a kid, Kyle Winkler struggled with intense shyness, rejection from his peers and, as a result, shame. But God radically changed Kyle as a teen. And the main tool he used? The Bible. Now, Kyle openly shares about his experiences with the Lord and is helping to change others’ lives through a true understanding of God’s character. By Jesus’ grace, Kyle has been featured on media outlets around the world, launched a popular mobile app called Shut Up, Devil! and recently came out with a new book by the same name.

Today, we’re digging deeper into Kyle’s personal story — where he finds true rest, how he overcomes sin through God’s Word and the resources that have changed his life the most.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

My pickiness in food is a good indicator of my personality. Let me explain. You see, these days, I’m a city boy. I love all the selections available where I live in Orlando, Florida. But I grew up in a town of only 7,000 people. I get back to my hometown of Perryville, Missouri, about twice a year, and honestly, I struggle with what to eat when I’m there. It’s partly because there just aren’t that many options but also because I’m one of the pickiest eaters you’ll ever meet.

That’s why, when I’m back home, I typically stick with a plain hamburger and fries. No cheese. Nothing on it that grows. Chicken tenders are a go-to as well, but those, too, are plain.

I can be particular, but I like to think of it more as having an eye for excellence. The truth is, though, that it can easily become perfectionism, too. This serves me well when it comes to producing quality content and resources but not so well when I get bothered by small details that don’t really matter.

In light of my picky eating habits, one thing about me that might surprise you is my sense of adventure.

Leaving my full-time job for full-time ministry was a huge risk. So was moving 1,100 miles away from family. And so was jumping out of an airplane!

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal?

I’m a geek. Before ministry, I was a web programmer. My undergraduate degree is in computer information systems. In college, some people called me Inspector Gadget. These days, I’m passionate about theology, but I’m still happy as a lark vegging out on the latest Apple rumors. I read certain tech-enthusiast blogs every day and reserve time on my calendar to watch every product announcement (aka Keynote) that Apple holds. I’ve also been known to re-watch them several times on YouTube before a product is released. (Sometimes I’ll fall asleep while watching software demos!)

Another activity I enjoy is going to theme parks! I live in Orlando, Florida, the theme park capital of the world, and I love it. Theme parks remind me of the summertime, a season when I felt safest as a kid. (I was an outcast in school, so I preferred the seasonal breaks.) But also, since I’m inside and in my head for most of the workday, I love getting out for some mindless fun when I’m off. In fact, if I’m in town for the weekend, you’ll likely find me at a park.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it?

I can’t say no to chocolate desserts. Is that a weakness? The same with Krispy Kreme donuts. One is a tease. Two isn’t enough. I usually need at least three of them to feel anything. Six is preferable!

I hide it (somewhat) by working out about four to five times per week. Although, admittedly, it’s catching up with me the older that I get.

Loving desserts isn’t a very vulnerable weakness to share, though. My perfectionist tendencies are a bit more “real.” I really struggle if things aren’t just right. A flaw drives me crazy because once I’ve seen it, I can’t unsee it.

For example, I’m currently doing media interviews for my book, “Shut Up, Devil.” After an interview, I tend to rack my brain with ways I could’ve been better. Same with after I preach a message as a guest speaker in a church. I suppose the way I hide it is that I allow few people to see that part of my world. Most of my analysis is done in my head, in my own space.

While I’m confessing things, I should also say that I’m not a very patient person, especially when it comes to devices not working correctly. Sadly, those who are closest to me know that I don’t hide that well. Some within my vicinity might overhear me lecturing my technology.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours?

Right now, I’m studying the true character of God. I grew up in a tradition where I felt God was always mad at me and looking for every opportunity to afflict me. Of course, this was unhealthy and kept me at a distance from him. Many people who write to me share similar stories. They fear their financial, relational or health issues are a result of God’s punishment for something they’ve done wrong.

As I’ve listened to people, I’ve found that most toxic emotions like fear, insecurity and shame are rooted in some legalistic understanding of God. But the more I study God’s nature, the more I see grace — even in the Old Testament. I believe that knowing God’s character as fully revealed through Jesus is the answer to so many of our personal battles and cultural issues.

A close relationship with God must be founded on the belief that God is good. Believing that he will provide and protect is also rooted in the belief that he is good. That’s why knowing the true character of God is so crucial to living with confidence and courage. It’s also important for introducing him to people in this diverse world. Nobody wants to be part of a religion that teaches that God hates them for one reason or another. Thankfully, we don’t say that to anyone — because God is love. Rather than playing “holiness police,” telling of and demonstrating his goodness is our best chance at getting people interested in the faith. After all, the apostle Paul boasted that the kindness of God leads people to repentance (see Romans 2:4).

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?

I write a lot. During the week, I’m up at 4:30 a.m., usually seeking the Lord for a fresh word to share that day on social media. I typically write out my messages before I give them. Now, to be sure, I don’t always want to write. Many times, I don’t feel like it at all. But when I begin to write, there’s usually a moment when I get energized — like a wind at my back — and my writing takes a very “incarnational” turn. By “incarnational,” I mean, “when word becomes flesh.”

The energy and passion I feel in those moments are a sure indicator of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I get so into it that I start flipping a pen on my desk over and over as I type. Or I start fidgeting with silly putty. I just get antsy in anticipation of getting it out. Other times, I know it’s the Holy Spirit when it brings me to tears. I get teary-eyed through at least half of the messages that I write.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied actions that open our hearts to the presence of God. So spill it, which spiritual practice is workin' best for you right now?

I’m a big believer in confessions. They played a huge part in my journey out of shame. They continue to play a huge part in me shutting down negative emotions and thoughts whenever they arise. That’s why every one of my books so far devotes at least a chapter or two to the principle of speaking Scripture. As I teach in “Shut Up, Devil,” God designed the mind and mouth to work together in ways that no other two parts of us do. Speaking a truth out loud helps to cement it into us.

When I do this with Bible verses, I typically don’t just speak the verse aloud verbatim. I like to personalize it to me and my situation. For example, Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) is one I frequently use to squash fear. Instead of only quoting the text of the verse (“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed”), I declare what it means to me. I usually say, “God is here, even in the places that I fear.”

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Our email subscribers get free ebooks featuring our favorite resources — lots of things that have truly impacted our faith lives. But you know about some really great stuff, too. What are some resources that have impacted you?

Growing up, I battled a lot of shame, so books that spoke directly to that are some of my most cherished resources.

Off the top of my head, there are three that have been particularly monumental in the last decade:

1. “The Gift of Being Yourself” by David Benner

2. “Lovable” by Kelly Flanagan

3. “The Wounded Healer” by Henri Nouwen

There’s a quote in “The Wounded Healer” that I keep pinned to the top of my notes app. I labeled it, “My motto as a minister.” It reads, “The Christian leader is called to help others affirm this great news [that we are redeemed once and for all], and to make visible in daily events the fact that behind the dirty curtain of our painful symptoms there is something great to be seen: the face of him in whose image we are shaped.”

The last part of that sentence just fuels me.

We all have things we cling to to survive (or thrive) in tough times. Name one resource you’ve found indispensable in this current season — and tell us what it's done for you.

Currently, it’s my electric scooter. I bought it as a gift to myself to celebrate the release of my recent book, “Shut Up, Devil.” As an introvert, I tend to be in my head all day. Especially just coming off a year of writing the book, it’s been great to have something that gets me out of my head and simply out and enjoying the Florida beauty and breeze.

I’m trying to prioritize these kinds of mindless activities more. Because it’s during these times when I do my best writing. By that I mean, it’s when my mind is relaxed and at ease that stories and illustrations come to me. It’s also when I’m out and about in everyday life that I make memories that make good stories.

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

As I said in a previous answer, I’m mining resources about the character of God these days. This has already come out in some of my podcasts and writing. But I suspect you’ll see more on this topic from me in the future.

Of course, it’s a huge topic, so I battle the feeling of not being “studied” enough to talk about it. But when it comes to God’s character, of this I am certain: he is good and he is for me. I am learning to be content with everything else being revealed by his Holy Spirit, layer by layer.

“How do you view God?”

Our answer to that question dictates so much in our lives — how we think, how we see the world and even how we feel about ourselves and other people.

That’s why it’s so important that we have a true understanding of God. And the only way to do that is by knowing, believing and trusting his Word.

This is how Jesus lived. When he was tempted in the wilderness during his 40-day fast, he told the devil, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4, NIV).

As we go about our day today, let’s look at everything through this lens, allowing the Bible to guide our thoughts, perspectives and actions. After all, as Kyle Winkler mentioned earlier, “knowing the true character of God is so crucial to living with confidence and courage.”