Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
You may not be in the valley of the shadow of death right now, but you may be in another valley. Valleys are the hard places on your journey, where it’s easy to doubt or overlook God’s goodness. But you can always trust that God walks through the valleys with you. And he’s promised to bring you through to the other side.
Here are three truths to remember when you are in the valley:
1. You are not alone. God is with you.
The shadows in your life are evidence of the presence of light. How do you deal with a shadow? You turn your back to the shadow and look at the light. Jesus said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life” (John 8:12 CEV).
The Bible says that God is light and that in him there is no darkness at all. You need to stop focusing on the dark things that scare you: those bills, health concerns, or worries about your children or aging parents. When you move your focus off your fears, you can focus on the Father.
2. God has a good purpose for your valley.
God can’t do evil. Even when you’re facing problems, conflict, grief, fear, or failure, God is at work, creating good from your valley.
Romans 5:3-5 says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (ESV).
3. The reward will last forever.
You’re going to be rewarded for remaining faithful to Christ in the valley of failure, fear, conflict, grief, or trouble. You’ll be in heaven less than a minute before thinking, “Why did I worry when I was going through those valleys? God was right there with me all the time, and he was good to me all the time.”
As the Bible says, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT).
Talk It Over
What do you fear most right now? What lies are you believing that are making you so afraid?
How can you be reminded of God’s goodness when you walk through your next valley or while you finish walking through the valley you’re in right now?
Why is it important to look for the good that God is working out while you’re in your valley and not just after you’ve come through to the other side?
- by Pastor Rick
You may not be in the valley of the shadow of death right now, but you may be in another valley. Valleys are the hard places on your journey, where it’s easy to doubt or overlook God’s goodness. But you can always trust that God walks through the valleys with you. And he’s promised to bring you through to the other side.
Here are three truths to remember when you are in the valley:
1. You are not alone. God is with you.
The shadows in your life are evidence of the presence of light. How do you deal with a shadow? You turn your back to the shadow and look at the light. Jesus said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life” (John 8:12 CEV).
The Bible says that God is light and that in him there is no darkness at all. You need to stop focusing on the dark things that scare you: those bills, health concerns, or worries about your children or aging parents. When you move your focus off your fears, you can focus on the Father.
2. God has a good purpose for your valley.
God can’t do evil. Even when you’re facing problems, conflict, grief, fear, or failure, God is at work, creating good from your valley.
Romans 5:3-5 says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (ESV).
3. The reward will last forever.
You’re going to be rewarded for remaining faithful to Christ in the valley of failure, fear, conflict, grief, or trouble. You’ll be in heaven less than a minute before thinking, “Why did I worry when I was going through those valleys? God was right there with me all the time, and he was good to me all the time.”
As the Bible says, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT).
Talk It Over
What do you fear most right now? What lies are you believing that are making you so afraid?
How can you be reminded of God’s goodness when you walk through your next valley or while you finish walking through the valley you’re in right now?
Why is it important to look for the good that God is working out while you’re in your valley and not just after you’ve come through to the other side?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer:
Father,
It is written in the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 12, that Jesus spoke to them, saying 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' In the midst of shadows that surround us, we seek Your light to guide our paths. Illuminate our hearts with hope and courage, dispelling the darkness that seeks to overwhelm. May Your presence be our comfort and strength, leading us to peace and clarity. Help us to shine Your light in the lives of others, reflecting Your love and grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
