2020: Are You In The Valley?

Friends,

I think we all need a little more hope in 2020, am I right? Well, I opened God's word and what I am about to share absolutely flew off the pages of my Bible. I mean, I have read this scripture a hundred times, and never once did I see how God specifically walks with us and comforts us when we suffering! We have all read about God being our Shepherd and the way he gently guides us through life as our protector and sustainer.  But, today... I want to talk to my friends who are deep in IN THE VALLEY of suffering.  What does it mean to be in the "valley of the shadow of death"? Well if you look at other translations of the Bible it's also called "the darkest valley".  Simply put, we are all near that valley, and we will all walk it one day.  We are fragile, life is short, and that valley is an inevitable part of humanity. So, when unexpected suffering walks through our doors, we move from the greener pastures into the dry valleys.  Have you been there before? Are you there now? Well, read on my friend because God is more near you today than he was in those greener pastures and he is full of comfort.  First, let us all read it together (emphasis added):

The LORD Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I want you to stop right now and let me paint you the most beautiful visual you ever needed to see:

• At the beginning of the verse, He is in front of us: "He leads me beside still waters"
• At the end of the verse He is behind us: "Goodness and mercy will follow me"
• But in the middle, IN THE DARKEST AND HARDEST OF TIMES OF SUFFERING, HE IS WITH US!!! "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ...you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me"

Think about that my friends... of all the times you needed God to be with you the most, He shows up in the valley, just in time. He walks alongside your weary soul and what does He do, He comforts you! He does this despite the diagnosis! He is stronger than the addiction, more joy filled than the depression, more faithful than the infidelity, more compassionate in the loss, more able in the financial burden, more sovereign in the infertility.....what is it? What can HE not overcome? Even death cannot separate us from God's comfort, He conquered that too! 

As I watch numerous friends sojourn through the darkest of valleys in 2020, I am inspired by their faith.  I can see them walking side-by-side with their Father and it is beautiful to witness. Keep walking my friends, keep moving forward as God fills you with comfort, and gets all the glory. 

In Christ,

Annie

Inspired by my friends Philip (and Amber), Jen (and Rich), Eric (and Lindsay), & Mary who all walk different paths in this valley, yet suffer so very well... to God be all the glory.