“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
We are passing THROUGH the valley, yet it feels like it never ends. Pain, disappointment, anger, hurt are all feelings that are hard to deal with in the valley, but it is a special place. It is a good place. It is a place of increased intimacy with God. It is a place God wants us to experience what He can do. It is a place we grow as children of God. Pastor Luis uses the analogy of a book to represent our life and the valley represents just one chapter in that book. This really gives us perspective on how we should approach those periods in our life. Like it says in verse 4, we will come out on the other side but how we choose to respond to what we might be experiencing in the valley determines how long we are in the valley and how we will come out. We reap what we sow. Whilst this might make sense – it is hard. Do you know when you are in the valley? Pastor Luis talks about what gets influenced when you are there:
- Your feelings.
- Your mind is in the past.
In my personal reflection, I have come to realise, these two things are also what I have control over to go through my “valley” moments in a way that pleases God. Where do I take my feelings? Does it go to complain, to gossip, to blame? Where does my mind go? Does it play back all those instances in the past when I have been disappointed or hurt? Haven’t we all at some point done that? What did it do for us? It made me more angry, bitter, and resentful. Is this God or is it from Satan? If the valley is just a chapter, we know it will end. If God is with us in the valley, we know how it will end. He is good. He will get us through to the other side. The other side is a promise and God keeps His promise. He NEVER fails.
What season are you in? What is God speaking to you in this chapter of your life? Do not waste it – He is always working to make all things work for your good.
Dear Father, thank you for your faithfulness in every season. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Help me in this season I am in. Help me hear your voice in my life and stay on the path you would like me to walk. Help me take my thoughts captive and honour you in everything I do. In Jesus name. Amen
By Christabel Joy Seneviratne.