I listened to many podcasts during those low moments. I’d much rather exit the valley than learn a lesson in it, but God is patient with us, always desiring to lead us into a deeper understanding of His grace, mercy, care, and provision. My natural tendency is to complain, to worry, to doubt. The darker the day, the brighter the light will be.ĭon’t get me wrong, I’m not one to naturally find great joy in the dark valleys. Even though we walk through “shadows” in life, we can know that the Comforter will soon shine light in the darkness. We must look beyond the shadow to the light, clinging ever more fiercely to our God who never leaves us in the darkness without hope. The shadow of the enemy might frighten our souls, but ultimately, it is just a shadow. The shadow of a sword can’t hurt us, a sermon I listened to stated. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.…” I pressed in further, for it felt as if darkness and despair of death were clinging fiercely to my soul. I remember reading Psalm 23 in one of my lowest moments and stopping at the word “shadow” in verse four. In my lowest moments it seemed impossible to feel the nearness of God, much less trust that He was truly with me and still guiding me. The days ran together, and most of what I can remember from that season of the “valley of the shadow of death” was what I was able to write down in my journal as I poured my heart out like water before the Lord. I stepped away from ministry, and for several months battled crippling anxiety that threatened to steal my faith many times over. Needless to say, there were warning signs I should have heeded, but the intensity of the darkness that surrounded my mind, heart, and soul were more than I could bear at times. I was in the throes of ministry and motherhood and was blindsided by the spiritual attack. The darkest valley I’ve walked through to date was a season of anxiety and depression. “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)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |