Finding Encouragement in the Valley
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
Life is often uncertain when we look at it through the lens of our own natural intelligence and reason. The reality is that we will face unfortunate events: betrayals, the loss of loved ones, the drifting of friends, financial struggles, or being overlooked for a promotion despite being qualified. Your abilities and kindness can be taken for granted, and you may face frequent disappointment, dissatisfaction, and discouragement.
This is the honest truth of walking with God. It can get very dark in life—and sometimes, the darkness falls right after a season of great light. We may even question if we are on the right path that God has designed for our lives. Yet, sometimes all you need is a small glimpse of hope to find the direction God has for you.
Purpose in the Storm
God often uses storms and valleys in the Bible to depict moments of uncertainty, chaos, and confusion. While the Bible doesn’t give us a specific date for when your "valley" season will expire, there is a date set for when you will emerge on the other side.
These valley moments are incredibly tough, sometimes requiring every ounce of your strength just to stay afloat. However, in His sovereignty, God has a definite purpose behind them. Maturity in Christ is always the primary goal of the Holy Spirit in your life. Romans 8:29 tells us we are being “conformed into the image of His Son.”
The remarkable part is that when Jesus faced storms, He was often unfazed because He was so dedicated to prayer and knowing the Father; He had the faith to know that the storm "wasn't the last word." Yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane, we also see Jesus struggling with His human nature—wrestling to bring it into alignment with God’s will. We see both sides of Jesus. If we are being conformed to His image, we will experience both sides too. Knowing this doesn’t necessarily make the journey easier, but it does make it bearable.
While it may seem impossible to stay positive during these trials, there is hope available. Here are three ways to navigate the valley:
Find Comfort in the Word: Accept that if you are still here, God still has something important for you to do. To move further into His plan, we must adapt to His truth. As we take small steps through our valleys and strides through our storms, we become more like Christ, using this time to develop our character.
Avoid Comparison: We live in the age of social media, where everything is tailored to look like the "perfect life." Rarely will someone expose the messy truth of their walk with Christ. A key component to finding peace is removing comparison. When Jesus spoke to Peter about his future martyrdom in John 21:18-21, Peter immediately asked about John’s path. In today’s terms, he was saying, "Well, his social media looks fine—why is my sacrifice so much harder?" Don’t compare; conform to His image.
Pray and Journal: Reflect on the tough questions and write them down. Be honest in your prayers and your journaling. Ask: What can I learn? What is God teaching me? How do I sift through my emotions to find peace? How can I follow Christ through this specifically? Where do I see my character being built? When we invite God into our struggle through prayer, He provides the help we need.
Let God Write the Story
There isn't a book, movie, or testimony worthy of your attention that doesn't include moments of uncertainty and despair. It is through these moments that our attention is captivated, and we begin to learn how to live life with God—seeing things from a new perspective and catching a glimpse of hope.
Let God write the book of your life. Let Him give you the testimony. Let Him direct the movie. Remember, sometimes all you need is a small glimpse of light to find the right path.
Father God, in Jesus' name, thank You for Your grace to overcome situations by faith. Lord, show me what You are telling me through my life at this current moment. Help me to see by faith what I cannot see with my eyes. Use this time to mature me—to make me wiser, better, and more like Christ. Do not let these moments be wasted. Set my natural emotions aside and fill me with the peace of God, the joy of the Holy Spirit, and the power of Your Word. Amen.