Devotion: What’s Your Valley?

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. (Psalm 23 ESV)

I feel as though God has been hitting me over the head with Psalm 23 for the past several weeks—in particular, verse 4.

As I was lying in bed one night, pondering my next potential book title, he suddenly revealed the words “though I walk through the valley” to me.

When I was serving in our church’s children’s ministry the next morning, Psalm 23 was incorporated into our lesson about the parable of the lost sheep. During the worship service, one of the songs we sang quoted Psalm 23:4. When I opened my YouVersion Bible app to look up a passage from the sermon on my smartphone, there was Psalm 23:4 once again, as the featured verse of the day.

At this point, the signs became so redundant that they were humorous, and I chuckled at God’s perfect timing and wisdom in that moment. I have been exhausted, weary, and discontent, too focused on myself and my current circumstances instead of him and his glory, even though I know he offers me true rest and peace in his presence.

I was reminded again of this profound truth as my two little sleeping beauties snuggled up next to me in bed a couple of weeks later while my husband was out of town for the weekend. My young daughters are my greatest blessing and joy, but so often I strive for more than being their mom. I don’t want to miss these fleeting moments because I’m wishing for the next big thing. I want to rest in his goodness in every season.

Yet after I put the girls to bed the very next evening, my depression took control in my loneliness, and I wallowed in pain and self-pity, wanting to end my own suffering, afraid of myself and the evil thoughts that surrounded me. I struggle with anxiety, grief, and the stress of dementia caregiving on an almost daily basis. The “valley of the shadow of death” is a familiar place, one I’ve walked through many times.

King David, once a shepherd himself, sang of contentment despite circumstance and expressed gratitude for God’s guidance and correction after he found himself in deep trouble for stealing another man’s wife and then having him killed.

Ultimately, David found great comfort in the discipline of his loving Shepherd and chose to submit to God’s will for his life in his dark valley. He found peace in his pain because he embraced God’s green pastures and still waters amid his soul’s turmoil.

Father, please help me remember that you are always my safety net and a soft resting place. No valley is too deep for you to guide me across and no sheep is too foolish for you to find and bring back to the flock. Thank you for loving me and restoring my soul, no matter how I have trespassed and strayed. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Psalm 46:1–3 ESV)

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8 ESV)

Reach for More

What dark valley are you walking through right now? Turn it over to God today, trusting that he will carry you safely to the other side. Ask him to show you glimpses of his goodness in every difficult step along the way so that you may glorify him and find peace in your pain.

Lauren Flake writes about her journey as a wife, mom to two little girls and Alzheimer’s daughter in her native Austin, Texas, at For the Love of Dixie. Her first book, Where Did My Sweet Grandma Go? was published in 2016. She thrives on green tea, Tex-Mex, and all things turquoise.

Photograph © Bin Thiều, used with permission