Category: SPIRITUAL GROWTH

THE SIREN CALL

Suddenly, I heard a siren behind me. I pulled over assuming the police officer needed to pass by. Surely, he was not stopping me! 

Newly licensed and driving home from school on Rt. 222 south. I possessed not a care in the world. I inherited my heavy foot on the gas from my father. Suddenly, I heard a siren behind me. I pulled over assuming the police officer needed to pass by. Surely, he was not stopping me! 

He climbed out of his cruiser and yelled, “I have been following you for ½ a mile with my lights flashing and you ignored me!!”.  No way could I talk myself out of that ticket.

LITTLE SAMUEL’S SIREN CALL

That brings us to the story of little Samuel in I Samuel chapter 3.  He isn’t sixteen years old speeding down the highway, but he doesn’t realize the significance of his “siren call” in the middle of the night.  Samuel always slept, ready to wake up at the quiet voice of elderly Eli when Eli needed assistance.  Samuel doesn’t know that this siren call is different. This call is directly from God. 

THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS RARE

To actually hear the voice of God is pretty exceptional.  The beginning of the passage says that “In those days the Word of the Lord was rare.”  Samuel was always eager to obey his foster father, Eli, but it never entered his mind that the voice he was hearing was God Himself. 

ISRAEL WAY OFF TRACK

Historically, Israel was way off track.  Spiritual oversight broke down with Eli, the High Priest of Shiloh, the second-to-last Israelite judge.  His progeny, Hophni and Phinehas, were expected to take up the torch of leadership, however both sons are corrupt to the core. They ignored their father’s corrections. Like most of Israel, they ignored God.

EVERY DID WHAT SEEMED RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25). No wonder, in those days the Word of the Lord was rare.  Israel is bopping toward spiritual destruction, without a care in the world, totally disregarding God.

ARE YOU MISSING THE CALL OF GOD?

Have you been bopping down the highway of life, speeding along, ignoring the spiritual potholes?  Are you so wrapped up in your own life and concerns that you missed the warning lights from God and the siren call of His Word?  It is not too late.  Go before God, let Him deep clean any sin that has been clouding your spiritual eyesight. Beg Him to deepen your time with Him so that You can understand His written Word.  Miracles happen when we listen to God. 

GOD’S BEST FOR YOU

The Apostle Paul prayed for you:  “That your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, 10 so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized] (Philippians 1:9-11).  Heed God’s siren!

THE GIRL WITH THE AGENDA

The note said to “watch out for Audrey” and then it listed all the things she could possibly do in the classroom. (It failed to mention what she could do on the playground!)

Most of you know me as a substitute teacher who loves little kids. I say “little kids” because that is my wheelhouse, my comfort zone, my area of knowing everything that is presently in the mind of first and second graders. I feel loved and needed. It never fails, whenever we’re out for recess, someone will come up to me and ask me to tie their shoe or zip up their coat. With each act of kindness, I feel like I did something that was productive, or helpful. 

TIME WITH THE “BIG KIDS”

Yet, I left my comfort zone, my wheelhouse, to enter the world of “big kids”.  It was a moment of weakness which I soon regretted when I took a class of sixth graders. Yes, sixth graders, the land of drama, of hormones, of boys who act like they are in second grade and girls who wish they were in tenth. But even though that is true most of the time, this was a very nice class.

AND THEN THERE WAS “AUDREY”

Yes, they had the rowdy boys and the chatty girls, but they also had one student who had her own agenda: to make my life as miserable as possible! Her name was Audrey (not her real name). I knew I was in trouble when I came into the room and read the notes from the teacher. There was a half sheet explaining the antics of Audrey.

WATCH OUT FOR AUDREY!

The note said to “watch out for Audrey” and then it listed all the things she could possibly do in the classroom. (It failed to mention what she could do on the playground!) It was a difficult day for me, trying to appreciate each of the 22 students and at the same time, keeping an eye out for Audrey, wondering when the next outburst would occur. I don’t think she considered me her “favorite substitute teacher” and she wasn’t my favorite student, but as the day wore on (and my patience wore out) I began to pray.

GOD ALSO SAW ME AS A MISFIT

The Lord reminds me that this girl appeared to me as I once appeared to God. God saw me as a misfit, as a kid who wasn’t living by the rules like everyone else, and as someone who wanted nothing to do with all the things that everyone seemed to desire. In middle school, I was also the one who was looking for attention from the other students and faculty but in an unacceptable way, just as Audrey was doing.

COMPASSION IN ACTION

By the end of the day, I wasn’t just “watching out for Audrey” but I had compassion for her. I could see past her rebellious actions to a person who was hurting for friendship, for affirmation. As I was finishing my day of substituting, I found myself praying for Audrey, that she would find the same peace and hope that I found in Christ Jesus.

Looking into the eyes of this child, I realize this is just the beginning. If she doesn’t discover who Jesus is and what he offers, she could have years of this: a hatred of other people, a loss of true love, and an attitude of never being good enough. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son, has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36).

MY CHANGE IN ACTION

When you see a child or an adult in this condition, pray for them. Right here, right now. Pray that they could see life, and that God’s wrath would be upon them no longer. They need the life which refreshes the heart and mind. If you come across an “Audrey” and she seems to have an agenda that works against you, remember, pray for her and watch God do His work to bring her to believe in life, in the Son of God.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. (I Thessalonians 5:16-19)

THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!

When I think of the rollercoaster of an earthly life Christ lived while He was on this earth, I realize the bar was set very high.

The roller coaster left the station and it heads for the first loop. I see it just ahead of us, and it is getting closer. The climb becomes steeper and steeper until it hits that peak. You feel like you are on top of the world. Two seconds later you’re going down so fast you wonder if you forgot to bring your stomach along with you. It is the most horrifying feeling and the most exhilarating feeling you’ll ever experience! Some are thinking, “How fast can I get off this ride!” Others wonder, “How soon can they get back on”?

MY ROLLER COASTER

Joining the Colson Project was a little like that for me. I wasn’t looking to get on the roller coaster. To become a Colson Fellow, you must sign up for a 10-month program. It involves monthly zoom meetings, reading recommended books (about 14) and answering questions regarding what you read. Other requirements are following a weekly devotional, videos, and different projects on the Colson website. In other words, if you don’t like getting on rollercoasters, then stay away!

For me, this rollercoaster ride is almost over; only a month to go. People usually ask me the same question “Was it worthwhile?” I generally answer with, “Yes and no.” (I am a very decisive person…).

CHRIST’S ROLLER COASTER

When I think of the rollercoaster of an earthly life Christ lived while He was on this earth, I realize the bar was set very high.  Yes, He found the appropriate time to rest his body, but the remaining time He spent “doing His Father’s business”. Jesus always preached to peoples’ needs. He was a mentor to His disciples and a teacher of the grace of God. Jesus consistently found time to heal those around Him. Christ realized what work could do for the physical body but more importantly what it accomplishes in the spiritual body.

WE LACK MENTAL STAMINA

His life was more than a physical marathon with a little bit of sweat thrown in; it was a test of the mind. We as Christians don’t seem to have the mental stamina that it takes to stand up to the culture in which we live. We give in to everything that Satan throws at us. Paul said in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

HOW TO FIND TRANSFORMATION

So, how do we do that? How do we transform our minds so that they are in conformity with what God wants? Do we all have to become Colson Fellows so that we can submit our minds to His will? No, not at all! You can start by signing up for some of the Adult Bible Classes that are taught at GCC or some similar church. What about getting involved in a small group that is focused on the Word of God? You can begin your own study of the Word by getting into a book like “30 Days to Understanding the Bible” by Max Anders. Ultimately it is up to YOU! It is up to you to renew your mind and it takes exercise and effort to get on that roller-coaster. This is a wild ride of ups and downs.

GET READY TO RIDE!

Dallas Willard says in his book “Renovation of the Heart”: “Now clearly, our thoughts are one of the most basic sources of our life. They determine the orientation of everything we do and evoke the feelings that frame our world and motivate our actions.” This is why we need to renew our minds, so that we can orient our thoughts, our actions, to those of Jesus Christ.  Afterall, the Bible says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5). Get ready for the ride!

SINGING ROCKS

Jesus was not just the King of the Jews or the Savior of the Jews, He was the King of the cosmos

Are you humming along? Catchy song, happy thoughts, nothing specific on your mind? The jubilant crowd beckons you to join along, but what if someone sarcastically asks, “Praise Him for what”? Read Luke 19:28-40. For the life of them, the Pharisees cannot see what all the praise and celebration is all about. All that concerns them is the noise. What will the Romans think? A week ago, Judas blew a gasket when Mary “wasted” expensive perfume anointing and worshipping Jesus. This week, the crowd calls Jesus “King.”  What is coming next? Singing rocks?

HOW DUMB IS A BOX OF ROCKS?

What is God up to? Jesus knows the significance of this moment.  He knows what is coming: a spiritual regime change that will transform our world. R.C. Sproul writes, “It didn’t matter that the Pharisees thought the crowd was ‘dumber than a box of rocks,’ or something to that extent. How dumb is a box of rocks? Jesus knew the answer to that question because, touching His divine nature, He made the rocks. There was not a stone on the pathway between Bethany and Jerusalem that the divine Logos had not formed and shaped by the power of His creation. They were His stones, His rocks, and He understood that the whole creation groaned in agony waiting for the redemption that Christ and Christ alone could bring. Jesus was not just the King of the Jews or the Savior of the Jews, He was the King of the cosmos, the cosmic King that the unintelligent animals recognized but the very people did not want.”

THE FICKLE CHORUS

The crowd sings as Jesus passes by. They cry, “Blessed (celebrated, praised) is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory (majesty, splendor) in the highest [heaven]!” But as crowds go, they are fickle. They presume Jesus is their ticket out of bondage to the Romans. All they see is their political future. They care less about eternity.

PRAISES FOR WHAT?

Jesus, as always, does the unexpected. He does not bow to the crowd’s, the disciples’, or the Pharisees’ wishes. Jesus only bows to the Father. To the Father go all the praises. Praises for what? That which is coming: the cross and the resurrection. Praises for the agony which will pay the price to redeem the world. Glorious celebration that sin’s power will be broken. Triumphantly, lives both present and future will be given eternal life.

SING THE SONG OF ETERNITY!

If someone sarcastically asks you, “Praise Him for what”? Remember, “Nothing tells Satan and his followers that they have lost like the praises of God ringing in their ears. Satan loses because when God’s people are really worshipping, their hearts and minds are on Him – and not on sin, self, or Satan’s distractions.” (David Guzik) Join the resurrected millions in singing to the Christ Who “came that you may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Those who don’t join in are “dumber than a box of rocks.” Jesus said, “If these [people] keep silent, the stones will cry out [in praise]!” Accept His invitation to sing the song of eternity with all of creation. Begin humming that tune today!

THE SHELTER

Taking up a cross does not fit their plans. A cross provides no shelter.

The clock winds down, approximately 40 days before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus warns the disciples of the horrors to come. His words fall on deaf ears. No one likes to hear that their beloved leader’s plans oppose their personal plans. The disciples believe Jesus is going to transform their political futures, make Israel great again, and that they will rule right alongside Him. In all their earthly glory, they will make their mammas proud, safely sheltered from this world’s hurts. God will vanquish the Romans. Little do they know a hurricane of pain is coming. The disciples need shelter.

A CROSS PROVIDES NO SHELTER

Jesus warns them, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. …Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:22-24) No wonder the disciples ignore these words. Taking up a cross does not fit their plans. A cross provides no shelter.

A GLIMPSE OF ETERNITY

Read Luke 9:28-36. Witnessing the Transfiguration offers the disciples a glimpse of eternity for the unbearable days which are approaching. The disciples catch sight of the glory of the Eternal Christ. Jesus offers a shelter and guard for the disciples’ hearts.

GOD IS GUARDING YOU RIGHT NOW

Paul Tripp writes in “Forever: Why You Can’t Live Without It”: “The word ‘guard’ in I Peter 1:5-6 tells us exactly what God is doing in the here and now, and exactly why we can have hope, even in unexpected moments of pain. Not only does God have a plan that you are included in, but he is also with you daily and guarding you through every situation as he is preparing you for forever. Guarded means that not only is your future guaranteed, but it means that God is protecting you in the here and now as well. If forever is in your future, then God must ‘guard’ you between now and whenever forever becomes your permanent address. ‘Guarded’ means you cannot only be assured of future hope, but of the right here, right now comfort of present help”.

GOD’S SHELTER VERSUS PETER’S

Peter suggests they build sacred shelters to guard the present party of visitors who have arrived from eternity. Afterall, isn’t eternity arriving with the disciples sitting on thrones? God doesn’t strike down Peter, God drives to the heart of the matter, “This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!” God provides shelter and the answer for the coming days. “Listen and obey and yield to Him!”  He speaks to their eternity, present and future.

“This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!”  Obedience guards our hearts and provides the shelter we need today. Is this your daily goal? Yield your present eternity to Him.

Click to read how Christians across the globe are practicing eternal living today.

COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Without frustration, you may never know how great God is.

For years, I have practiced swimming against the current of people saying, “That’s just how we do this”. Then they slam the door. Despite this, God always rises to the occasion. He has supplied me with a wonderful encouraging husband who pushes me to step out on faith.

Don’t let raging storms keep you from fulfilling what God has for your life. Without frustration, you may never know how great God is. God regularly calls individuals to color a little outside of the regular ministry lines.

MY CALL

God called me to be a Christian Life Coach (many churches still don’t understand what that is) and become a writer and writing coach. I work with individuals using writing as a therapy tool (again, same remark regarding church comprehension). As I grow older, God keeps stretching me. When rejected for a short-term missions trip (because I was determined too old), God opened another opportunity for me within two days. (I bet that Moses, Abraham and Anna wish they could have claimed that age rejection.)

PUSH ASIDE THE FRUSTRATION

“Whenever I see faithful servants of the Lord start to get frustrated and down and speaking against the very thing their called to. I say take heart, fall in love with Christ all over again, remember why you love to serve Him and push aside the frustration, find the joy, because at the end of the day who are you doing it for, yourself? Others’ opinions? Praise and thanks? No, the answer is we live our lives to represent The King of the heavens and Earth, to make His name glorified.” (James N Larissa Tylor) We have the God Who often does the unexpected. He colors outside the lines.

KEEP COLORING!

So as a Christ follower, I say, “Keep persevering even when swimming against the tide.” Let Him turn the tears into dancing! Keep coloring, even when it is outside the normal lines.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! (Psalm 30:11-12)

A LESSON IN FRUSTRATION

Frustration is normal, especially in the worst circumstances

“The most faithful people are often the most frustrated people, because they’re committed to the cause” (Steve Furtick). I appreciate the level of frustration Moses must have felt. God called him to lead an ungrateful, rebellious and often nasty people.

Yet, Moses remains steadfast. He trusts God. The normal reaction of Moses’ flock of people is fear, frustration, accusations, and disbelief. How would you have reacted if you were Moses? Read these narratives:

OH NO! EGYPTIANS AT THE DOOR!

When Pharaoh got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the desert? What in the world have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we can serve the Egyptians, because it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!’ (Exodus 14:10-12) The Israelites believed slavery was better than freedom. They discarded God’s plan for their good.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT US HERE TO STARVE

The Israelites go-to reaction is doubt and suspicion. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!” (Exodus 16:1-3) Did they assume Moses was a mass murderer?

AND THE WAILING CONTINUES

In response to descriptions of the enemies in the land, the Israelites wailed constantly. The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: “Why didn’t we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? Why has God brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don’t we just head back to Egypt? And right now!” Soon they were all saying it to one another: “Let’s pick a new leader; let’s head back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:1-4) Now they want another leader; one who will lead them back into slavery. Could Moses even think with all the wailing in the background?

WHERE DID MOSES LOOK?

Moses dealt with constant frustration, yet he kept His eyes on God. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121)

ONE OBEDIENT FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER

If you are obediently following God, please remember, frustration is normal. Moses was not out of the will of God. Just keep putting one faithful foot in front of the other. Remember, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

WHILE I’M WAITING

Years after her treatments began, Mary heard the doctor blurt out, “I’m not quite sure why you are still alive.”

We stand outside on the platform in the sweltering heat.  As we glance down the tracks, there is no train bound for Philadelphia.  30, 45, 60 minutes – well past the scheduled arrival time.  Frustration builds. I hear the verbal complaints ratchet up the longer the delay.  However, there is no choice but to wait.

WAITING VERSUS WAITING PATIENTLY

There is a difference between waiting (which everyone does at one point or another) and waiting patiently.  We have a choice in how we bide our time. We can look at our circumstances and scream. Or we can choose to believe God is Sovereign over the circumstances, no matter how painful the circumstances.  It’s a conscious choice if we stay steady and strong even in the face of extreme adversity. Patience is when we believe the end game:  Jesus is coming at the best time.

MARY’S CHOICE

My friend Mary has a choice. A fellow believer, she has been waiting on God’s platform for over five years.  With the diagnosis of cancer, Mary was given a prognosis of 1 year = tops.  Then came surgery, chemo, radiation, and more chemo.  An aggressive cancer, life expectancy was originally less than a year.  Years after her treatments began, Mary heard the doctor blurt out, “I’m not quite sure why you are still alive.”  The cancer is still there, but Mary is also still waiting.

During this waiting time, Mary has good reason to shake her fists at God and rachet up her complaints.  However, she consciously decides to spend her time patiently planting seeds.  She loves on the medical professionals who attend her, she shares her hope in Jesus Christ with those who are hurting, and she is one of the most gentle and vibrant people I know. 

HOW WE ACT WHILE WAITING

In Galatians 5:22-23 we read about “peace and patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting]”. Mary makes a daily choice of how to act while waiting. “You know we call those blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] who were steadfast and endured [difficult circumstances]. You have heard of the patient endurance of Job and you have seen the Lord’s outcome [how He richly blessed Job]. The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (James 5:11) Mary’s train has not come yet, but she can see it in the distance. Mary endures as she waits!

YOUR CHOICE

Are you angry that your plans are diverted, delayed, or cancelled? Or do you wait patiently in the expectancy that Christ is coming, and all will be made right?  As a believer you have the power to wait; not to waste one moment that God gives you on this earth, no matter the adversity you face. Do you want to love God more than the timing of the answers He gives to your prayers? Remember, Jesus’ train is coming and is coming soon. How are you choosing to wait?

JUMPING OUT OF THE BOAT

Taking the job, I promised myself I would give it six months. It is now seven…stretching to eternity.

The job pays well, the bosses are fair, the hours are reliable. And there I am. Utterly miserable. Taking the job, I promised myself I would give it six months. It is now seven…stretching to eternity. God did not wire me for endless data entry and ferreting through files which should have been thrown out twenty-five years ago. However, I keep showing up; the faithful employee thinking surely something will improve.

ROUND PEG IN SQUARE HOLE

God laughs. The job does not change for the better. I am depressed and exhausted from being depressed. God repeatedly reminds me I am that round peg who tries to force itself into the square hole. Do I listen to Him? My fears of unemployment outweigh trusting God.

A TEMPEST OF FEAR

A piece I wrote about stepping out of the boat amid the storm keeps going through my mind. I’m scared. What if the next job is worse than this one? What if I can’t find a job? How will we buy groceries? What if…what if…. what if????? A tempest of fear surrounds me.

GO OUT AND GET BUSY

After nights of sleepless anguish, I decide enough is enough. Will I take God at His Word, depend on Him, and trust that He has a place for this square peg? Do I have the courage to step out of the boat? Dale Carnegie said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Thank you, Dale, for kicking my butt.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).

THE JUMP

I jump out of the proverbial boat. For years my husband has been nudging me to get my certification as a substitute teacher. I have held back because of my fears of all the unknown: out of control kids in schools where I don’t comprehend the norms or the culture. Finally, I throw fear in the backseat and fill out the piles of paperwork and clearances to be certified. The paperwork is finalized.

On Wednesday I discard caution; tell my employer I am resigning. The deed is done. The following Wednesday I begin subbing.

THE HAPPY DUCK

After all the anguish, I leap out of the boat only to discover I transform into that happy duck riding the waves. God pointed out my sweet spot for subbing, even when I kept ignoring Him. Bravery is stepping out of the boat when God nudges. Inaction is staying glued in the boat.

Courage is becoming a substitute teacher.

THE CRASHING WAVES

Thankfully, valleys don’t last forever.

Everyone says things heal with time. Grief? That never fully heals because the waves never stop coming. Like tides, I have learned to expect them. They come in slowly, predictably. Birthdays, holidays, when everyone is together, except we are never all together anymore. Someone is always missing. Other times, the waves of grief are like a tsunami, triggered by something outside my normal sphere: a movie or TV show where a dad is hugging his daughter, someone else’s in-tact family photos; everyone smiling.  Happy, intact scenes where everything is whole. I don’t see the tsunami until it’s towering over me about to obliterate my emotions. Both types of waves change my emotional landscape, upsetting the delicate balance of normal I have learned to cultivate.

THE TSUNAMI WAVES

At first it was all tsunami waves, thirty-foot swell after thirty-foot swell. One right on top of the other. I could barely grab a breath before the next one crashed over me and thrashed me in its swirling somersault. I was so swamped that I had no reference points to find my bearing, no solid ground beneath my feet. Like Peter, I cried out in prayer, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). He did but did not like how I wanted Him to. The waves kept crashing. I continued to get sucked under, reaching and grasping for anything solid and familiar. Instead, I felt God’s presence with me in the tumult. He didn’t take it away; he grabbed hold of me amid the storm. He was the solid, the predictable I needed.

QUIET WATERS?

Psalm 23 paints a serene scene of a tranquil stream at the bottom of the valley. My years traversing the Valley of Death’s Shadow have taught me that waves of grief feel NOTHING like that imagery of those quiet waters. Instead, they feel obliteration, not restoration. I also don’t understand how the valley is included in paths of righteousness. It is beyond my understanding. But I choose not to trust my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) because I know He’s leading the way.

WHERE TO LOOK

I need to keep my gaze on my Shepherd rather than the waves. He protects and defends me from the assault of despair, gently pulling me back to the safety of his presence, comfort, and care. He is with me through it all. He is the peaceful living water I need (John 4:13-14). My rest comes from Him (Psalm 62:1). That’s why it can be peaceful in the tumult and dark shadows of grief.

VALLEYS DON’T LAST FOREVER

We must not confuse evidence of God’s goodness with Him giving us what we want or saving us from heartache. Jesus assured us that we will have tribulation in the world, but He has overcome it (John 16:33). He offers peace that surpasses understanding (John 14:27), even in the most gut-wrenching experiences. Thankfully, valleys don’t last forever. They have a beginning and end, even if that end isn’t until our last breath before Heaven.

HE CARES FOR YOU

If you find yourself shrouded in shadows or deep in a crevasse of suffering, look to your shepherd. He walks through the valleys of life with you. The time will come when every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain. Until then, remember that He doesn’t just care about you; He cares for you. “He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.” (Psalm 91:4)