Have you ever found yourself walking the Valley of Shadow? I have, many times.
Many years ago I drove my father to visit an old friend who lived in a nursing facility. This man had had both legs amputated due to a circulatory problem. It was a sobering visit. At that time I had personal concerns. But my issues didn’t compare to his. Unlike that poor man, I enjoyed health, independence and autonomy. I could go wherever I wanted and do as I pleased, within reason. That short visit put things into perspective for me.
This year has been tough in many ways. Not just for my family but also many of my friends. A lot of us have experienced heartaches and challenges in varying degrees. I’m reminded of the following comforting verse:
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
We cling to verses like this during difficult times. Nevertheless, the weight of the world sometimes still overwhelms us. And we struggle to pray and pay heed to the promises found in Scripture.
I’m comforted in reading the struggles of the great men of God in years past. Even Charles Spurgeon wasn’t immune to depression. He often found himself walking in a shadowy valley when he should have been enjoying the light on the peaks. But the Lord always saw him through these periods.
See Spurgeon quotes for coping with stress and anxiety. See also quotes for wounded Christians.
I found myself in a dark valley the other morning. Prayers and devotions have been difficult. I was going through the motions because of a sense of duty rather than the joy they were bringing. The best I could do was to confess to God what I was experiencing and ask for His help.
Later that day I was driving somewhere and happened to tune into a radio interview with quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada. God had providentially sent me another perspective.
Imagine not being able to use your arms and legs. The only part of your body you have control over is your head. And while you have no control over the rest of your body, you’re still prone to pain. You constantly have to rely on someone else to perform all the basic functions others take for granted. You cannot scratch an itch on your face, or feed yourself. You cannot bathe yourself or go to the bathroom on your own. Nor can you access your Bible on your own. That’s something to ponder.
As long as we’re in this fallen world we will experience times of despondence. Yet we know the Lord is always faithful and He will not let us linger there. Let’s place our trust in Him.
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:37-39
Keep Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken in prayer. They are a fine example how we should always lean on our sovereign loving Lord when we find ourselves defeated by circumstances.
Here’s Joni’s radio interview: Spectacle of Glory
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