Walking Through Valleys

Ps 23:4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. TLB

Ps 84:5 Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! 7 They will grow constantly in strength, and each of them is invited to meet with the Lord in Zion. TLB

There are many kinds of valleys in life. I really did not want to write this blog. Presently I am staying in the home of a widow while she is away. This couple were friends for more than 40 years. His death has been hard to understand or accept. I thought of the valley that widows must walk through. Each of us realize that we all will die or leave the earth in the rapture. How lonely a valley can get.

When in a valley we have few choices. It is difficult or impossible to change directions. We either walk forward or attempt to turn around and go back. We cannot turn back the clock of time, we just have to walk forward on the path that is before us. Some may get stubborn and sit down in the middle of the path refusing to move in any direction. We all have heard the expression of being a "sitting duck". This is true of Christians who refuse to obey God and follow the path He has laid out before them.

I thought about the dark lonely valley of sickness and disease. That one can be extremely long and difficult. We feel totally alone and isolated. We may be surrounded by family and friends, but they just don't seem to understand our pain. That feeling makes this valley particularly difficult.

There is the valley of rejection and abandonment. This one can come to people of all ages of life. This can be true for young children, teenagers, young adults, middle agers, and seniors. It comes from divorce and broken relationships and broken homes.

One sad thing about valleys is that they are so narrow that it is difficult for a companion to walk beside us. There are so many twists and turns that you cannot see those who are on the same path, but walking either behind or in front of you.

The writer Psalms, David, knew what he was writing about. He experienced rejection as a child who was not even in the running with his brothers in the issue of being anointed by the prophet Samuel. He rose to incredible heights and fell to the lowest valleys of life and family. But he was aware of the fact that God was with him! His Presence was indisputable. So it is with us today.

We have no choice about the valleys we are walking in. We do need to be aware of the fact that God is with us. He has not left us. He has not abandoned us. He is with us in pain and problems. We need to cultivate an "attitude of gratitude". We can praise and worship God in the darkest night and in the midst of the most intense pain and loneliness. We also can love and support those around us who are in the middle of deep valleys. We can love them and encourage them and be available in any way possible to help bring some comfort and cheer.

God bless you as you walk with Him!

Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"