I hope you are encouraged after reading this blog. If you are going through a hard time right now or know someone who is, this is for you. I may sound a little more preachy this week, but I am doing it because I want the best for you, and I want you to have a great life.

I can’t tell you the number of people I know that are going through some really difficult times. It’s like all of these bad reports just happened at the same time or maybe I am just more in tuned to what is going on around me. Whatever the case, people are struggling and maybe you are as well.

If you have any leanings toward believing that there exists a loving and all-powerful God, you may have found yourself thinking, why then, is this so-called loving God letting this happen to me? Or maybe you are watching someone go through a very difficult time and wondered, “Why them?”

In the Bible, the term “valley” is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a low time or difficult season in someone’s life. A “valley” experience is something we all go through, for different reasons, and at different times but they are often characterized by these emotions: anxiousness, sadness, hopelessness, feeling confused and angry.

In the Bible, the book of Psalms is a collection of songs and poems that represent centuries worth of praises and prayers to God on a number of themes and circumstances. King David wrote a number of the psalms based on his own life struggles and the “valleys” he went through. Psalm 23 is an example of one of them, and one that is often quoted. Why— because most people can relate to it and people want to feel the way he felt:

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

If you are walking in a valley right now, I want you to know that you are not alone, God loves you and knows exactly what is going on in your life. He is not surprised by it nor is he confused on what to do next. You may not see it just yet, but there will be something good that comes out of your situation.

Even as great of a man and King as David was, he sure had his share of struggles and challenges. But what I appreciate about him, is even in the midst of everything he dealt with, he was honest before God in how he felt. Read through the Psalms and you will see this as well. This may surprise you but God desires a relationship with us and He wants us to be honest with Him, telling Him exactly how we are feeling.

I close with some great news, we have a loving God who walks with us through our “valleys” and promised that He “will never leave us nor forsake us.” Remember, you are not alone and you do not need to fear. One day soon, you will leave your valley and you will reach the mountaintop, just don’t give up!

It would be an honor to pray for you this week. Please leave a comment or send me a message.

I am truly blessed to have you join me each week. Thanks for journeying with me. Excited to have our community growing!

Your Virtual Life Mentor,

Doug