“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” — Psalm 23:4

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In Psalm 23, David reminds us that we will walk through the valley. My initial response after reading this psalm is, “Do I really have to walk through this valley? Can I just walk around the valley? Can I run through the valley?” Nope, God says we will walk it.

By walking, we are moving slowly enough to recognize the pain, the hurt, the trial, the difficulty, the tough circumstances, but we are moving. We are not camped out sitting and dwelling there. We are not running, going too fast to miss the lesson He is trying to teaching us. He wants us to walk through it.

So many times, my prayers tend to be “God, change the circumstances” prayers rather than “God, change me” prayers. It could be that those circumstances are exactly what God is using to mold and transform me into the person He created me to be. Coach John Wooden once shared, “Adversity introduces a man to himself,” and, “Adversity will either make you or it will break you.”

I love James’ advice and challenge: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). My encouragement to all of us is to enjoy the walk, remembering that pain has purpose. That’s definitely easier to say than do, I know. But remember, we don’t have to fear. God is with us. His rod and His staff comfort us.

Thank you, God, for the valleys and for being by my side as I walk through them. Help me grow in character as I walk with You.

— Jim Good

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