David declares that we can walk through all valleys, including death, in confidence. Jesus promises that He has overcome the tribulations that we face in this world. God’s Spirit provides these victories.
Walking With God
Scripture reveals God’s design for us is to be anchored in a personal and empowered walk with Him. In Psalm 23; 4, David shares, “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.” Whether we have long walked in a trusting, personal relationship with Him or have recently embraced Him, we may fully trust Him, especially through times of darkness, anguish, and even walking the doorways of death. In Deuteronomy 31:6, the Lord exhorts us to, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
The Lord never leaves us. He guides, comforts, and often carries us when we can no longer stand. He is there, even when we are blind to His presence. A drawing illustrates an elderly couple riding in a bench-seat Model T. Way over at the window, the wife says, “What happened to us, we used to snuggle all the time?” The husband answers, “I haven’t moved.” So it is with us and the Lord God. Whether we have rejected Him or simply lost sight of Him, He is there beckoning us to walk with Him in love and victory.
Forged in the Deepest Valleys
In this fallen world, all face deep valleys of heartbreak, loneliness, and even times of seemingly being deserted by the Lord. Jesus encourages us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He does not promise bliss and worldly victories. Instead He prepares us to face tribulation, rejection, and persecution. In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul teaches, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
One challenging valley is persecution. True Israelites, God’s chosen people, have experienced millennia of devastatingly evil persecution that continues today. In many countries, Christians who truly live for Christ have long faced great persecution. Scripture promises increasing persecution for Jews and Christians. Across time, many in both Faiths have turned their backs to Yahweh – some saying He has abandoned them. Psalms 94:14 says, “For the Lord will not forsake His people; he will not abandon his heritage.” Each of us is accountable for living according to the revelation His Spirit has given us. We must choose between Him and total loss. Will we give Him our all, in obedience to His revealed word, being under the control of His Spirit? Will we turn our backs? Do we mistakenly hope in heritage or church membership? Where do we turn in the valleys and shadows of death?
Our Choices
Choices range from self-pity, rejection of God, denial, and anger, to embracing the Lord God of Scripture. Every walk includes tears, deep grieving, and heartfelt, often unanswerable questions we address to our Father God. Sometimes our best effort is placing one step before the other in faith, as He guides and comforts. Consider the following examples and listen for the Spirit’s personal message.
Facing Cancer in Mid-life
An incredible Jewish couple is walking through a brutal eighteen-month journey against cancer. Initial reports advised it was benign. Unbelievably, they were soon confronted with the news that the husband, whom wife Beth lovingly calls “my Joe”, had a virulent malignancy. Together they have faced turbulence that would break many. These “valleys” included months of challenging treatments and extended hospitalizations, repeatedly broken hopes, deadly infections, and often horrifying emotional and physical pain. Even so, they constantly walk in hope, prayer, and their deep love for each other. Denying neither the suffering, sorrow, nor pain, they focus on life. “My Joe” has beaten all the odds as together they have hit personal milestones and are now utilizing trial procedures to “extend their quality time together.”
The following are shared from Beth’s heart in recent communications.
“My Joe’s last scan was terrible. He only got a few weeks past the last round of chemo and cancer came back, growing and spreading …now started a clinical trial immunotherapy. … the doc believes this is best chance at some more time together … This is what my Joe is up to. It is dire.
Thank God, he is home with me and such a champion, he takes everything they give him and then takes some more. This drug is risky with serious, severe side effects … He is taking it easy, knowing his body is hosting a war inside and he needs to rest. Trying to eat well. Doing his exercises. Keeping up with friends. Loving me and the dogs. We are living the best we can each day. That is all there is.
… We’ve been blessed with 26 happy years of a wonderful life. We aren’t ready to be done yet.
I take joy in nature and all the small blessings that are free every day. God gives us so many gifts, if only we choose to notice and appreciate them. I am grateful for every sunrise and sunset, the trees, flowers, fresh air, blue skies. Starting with this baseline, there is so much to be thankful for. It helps to balance the frustration and sadness.”
A Lifetime Un-Yielded to Disabilities
We have long known an incredible Christian woman who was born with cerebral palsy. She faces significant cognitive and physical disabilities and the heartbreaking hardships, ridicule, isolation, and limitations that accompany her disabilities. She has never surrendered to bitterness or defeat and is a fighter. She walks with Christ to accomplish more in Him than the medical profession ever envisioned. Although never downplaying the extensive hurt, disappointment, and occasional anger, she focuses on the Lord and life in Him. Dreams are never cast aside, though modifications are accepted. She loves the Lord, life, people, and walking with Him as He leads, sometimes carrying her through hardships. She embraces every wonder of His creation with unbounded joy. Generous to a fault, she supports all who touch her heart, especially orphans she has “adopted.”
When others ask to pray for her, she often states, “There are so many that are worse off than I am, let’s pray instead for their needs.” Songs of joy and praises to her Lord accompany her everywhere, even during her most personal disappointments. She recently elected to stay in a hurtful environment because she knew God instructed her to “stay and love them.” Her challenging life is truly lived in the reality of depending on and fully experiencing light and life in Christ.
Kingdom Victories
Consider how Scripture defines victorious living differently than the secular world and worldly Christians.
As 2 Corinthians 1: 4-6 shares, “(God) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction … If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation … if we are comforted it is for your comfort …” God’s Spirit is to touch everyone through us according to all He permits in our unique journeys.
In 2 Corinthians 1: 8, 9, Paul shares, “we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength, that we despaired of life itself … we felt that we had received the sentence of death in ourselves. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God.” Only as we walk through the deepest valleys do we truly learn to depend on living in God’s strength in place of our futile efforts. Just as steel and diamonds are forged through refinement, so are we.
Consider Stephen, who in Acts 6:8 was, “full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” God used Stephen for a short while to strengthen the growing church. Accordingly, he was singled out by authorities and ultimately stoned. He died in victory, both seeing the glory of God and forgiving his executioners.
Conclusion
God designed your unique journey for thriving in Him. His light and life are to radiate through you for His glory and His purposes, as He touches others through you. How is He forging your identity and calling you to step forward in the fullness of the life He designed? What choices are you making?
Author’s Bio: Curt Martin is an author, speaker, seminar leader, and organization consultant. God has filled him with the passion to see every individual and organization become the unique and incredible masterpiece God designed. Little touches Him more than helping awaken all God placed within you, so you thrive in His freedom, purpose, and power as you learn to walk in God’s Spirit. Only those who commit to this journey experience the fullness of living God’s victorious life. Articles include excerpts from his award winning book, “Whose Life Are You Living.”
Here is some related reading for you: Why Affliction and Suffering Are Part of God’s Plan
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Welcome to What Christians Want To Know! The mission of this site is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians. Look for regular updates including Bible Verses, Bible Stories, Christian Quotes, Christian Answers, and much more. Find out 
