Walking Through the Valley

Sooner or later we all walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It can be hard and scary; and while we’re in it we often feel isolated and alone.

The truth is, we are never alone. God is walking beside us, guiding and helping us. It doesn’t matter what that valley is. You might be dealing with:

· the death of a family member

· a setback to your career

· an illness

· or any number of hard or hurtful things

Something has brought you to a dark place where you can’t necessarily see the way out. Don’t despair! God is there with you.

The enemy loves to kick us when we’re down and vulnerable. That’s why attacks at this time may seem more frequent, persistent, or severe. They may be or it may be that you have lost your ability to just shrug them off quickly. Whatever the cause, now is not the time to give in to fear, depression, or desperation. Now is the time to walk forward with steady stride and head held high. The valley doesn’t last forever and you will be climbing the mountaintop again.

It’s funny. We all crave those mountaintop experiences with God, where we’re there with Him and everything is perfect and we feel like we’re on fire spiritually. It’s trudging through the valleys, though, where most of the real growth happens. That’s where God supports us and teaches us and is in truth closer to us because we need Him more.

You know the other funny thing? As lights in this world, we shine much brighter in the darkness of that valley than we do on the crest of that mountain.

The people standing on top of the mountain with the light of God shining all around them don’t need to see our light, our candle, shining there to be reassured. On the other hand, those who are trudging through the valley in their own private hell of pain, fear, and loss can see our light in that valley so clearly.

Watching you as you struggle through that valley, clinging to God and hope, might be the one thing that gives someone else courage to do the same.

No one wants to go through struggles. The important thing to remember is that you are learning and growing during them and that how you act and react will impact not only you but also all those who see you.

So, take a deep breath, put your shoulders back, take God’s hand, tell the devil to get away from you, and march through that valley knowing that something better awaits you on the other side.

#children #prayer