Walking Through Valleys

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.

Walking through Valleys

The 23rd Psalm is widely considered the most popular of all Psalms. It seems to me that the reassurance of the promises in this verse are a large part of the reason.

Though we don’t always like to say it out loud, we know that into every life valleys will come. There will be times of grief when we lose people we love, and there will be times of sorrow as we face our own fragility. When those times happen, we look for a way through the valleys. We look for a place to put our focus that comforts us and accompanies us on the journey. We look for a place to lay down our fears.

We need to know that we are not alone. We need to know that the Spirit of God will surround us lightening our fear and comforting our sorrow. These words of promise are a gift to be brought with us on our travels – when we walk through the mountains, and when we find ourselves in the valleys.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for seeing the truth of our lives, and giving us the promises of the 23rd Psalm. In Christ’s Peace, Amen

Reflection Questions:

1) Have you ever memorized the 23rd Psalm?

2) Do you think it would be helpful to you to write down the words of the 23rd Psalm and put them somewhere you’ll see them?

3) How do you think these words might help you navigate valleys?