Read:
There’s a subtle shift that happens at this point in Psalm 23. Up until now, David has been describing God. But in verse 4, he starts talking to God. He goes from saying, “He does this,” and “He does that,” to “You are close,” and “You protect me.”
It’s easy to feel like you’re peacefully walking with God when things are going smoothly. But what about when the going gets tough? Do you ever feel like he abandoned you or let you down?
You might be holding God to a promise he never made.
God never promised to keep you out of the dark valleys. But he does promise to walk through them with you. That means he’s there for all of your processing, your doubts, your questions—and that he’ll bring you through it.
There is always an “other side” to suffering. We walk through the dark valleys. We walk through the dark valleys. And as long as we keep walking with God, we will eventually reach the light again.
Reflect: What’s my tendency when life is easy versus when life is hard? Does my relationship with God change with my circumstances?