Don’t Fear the Shadows

“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.”

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

In life’s dark valleys, there is loss. When people go through loss, there are two common reactions. One is fear, and the other is grief. Grief is good. Grief is the way you get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will only hurt you if you don’t let it out. 

On the other hand, fear is a bad thing. Not once in the Bible does it say, “Grieve not,” “Sorrow not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! 

For example, shepherds carried a rod and a staff to guide and protect their sheep. In the same way, David knew that God had the tools to protect him, and he trusted God—even in the darkest valleys. 

Perhaps you are going through the valley of the shadow right now—maybe even the valley of the shadow of death. It may be the valley of the shadow of debt. It may be the valley of the shadow of conflict. It may be the valley of the shadow of depression. It may be the valley of the shadow of discouragement. 

Here’s the good news: God is our Shepherd! We can say no to fear and be comforted by him when life is dark and difficult.

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This devotional came from the Open Doors: A Year of Daily Devotions by Rick Warren. You can get it HERE.