Season
The valley: when life is hard
When life hurts and you can't see why.
What this is
Christians suffer too: illness, loss, betrayal, a child who is struggling. Jesus never promised an easy life. He promised to be with you in it, even in the darkest valley (Psalm 23:4).
You're allowed to cry, ask why and tell God how it really feels. Many Psalms are laments. Jesus Himself wept at His friend's grave (John 11:33-35).
God can bring good even out of what He hates. He works in all things for the good of those who love Him, making them like His Son (Romans 8:28-29), and comforts us so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Your pain is not meaningless.
If someone is hurting you, if you're not safe at home, or if you're thinking about ending your life, please talk to a real person now: a trusted adult, a doctor, a pastor or a crisis line. God often helps through people.
Hold on to this
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.
Read slowly: God is our refugePsalm 46:1-11
1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, 3though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah 4There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. 6Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. 7The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth. 9He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire. 10“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” 11The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. Jesus wept.
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Where to next
- Tell God the truthPray like the Psalms: tell God exactly what hurts and what you fear. Then read Psalm 34:18.Read Psalm 34:18
- Let people helpTell one or two people what's happening. Accept the meal, the lift, the visit.
- Get practical helpSee a doctor, counsellor or pastor where you need to. Faith and getting help belong together.
- Keep a small rhythmWhen you can't do much, read one psalm a day and pray one sentence.Read Psalm 23
- Note God's help each dayEach night write down one way God helped you, even a small one.
Watch out: Suffering in silence
Pain pushes many people away from God and others, and isolation makes the valley darker. Stay close to your church, even if you can only show up.
Pray
Lord, this hurts and I don't understand. I need You to hold me. Be close to me in this valley, give me strength for today, and help me trust that You are still good.