Walking through life’s valleys

Psalm 23 is beautiful. It opens with a serene picture of a capable and good shepherd, whose sheep are grateful for his guidance, provision of food and water, and gift of rest. Yet the Psalm does not let us linger in this idyllic scene for long. Almost immediately, we are confronted with the stark imagery of the “valley of the shadow of death.” This shift reminds us that, no matter how good life may seem, disruptions are inevitable. They may take the form of sudden job loss, the passing of a loved one, the loss of property, or conflict within families and friendships. Sometimes one crisis strikes, while others arrive all at once. In these moments, how we respond—whether we land gently or crash hard—can shape us for better or worse.

These disruptions are not the time to test whether our safety nets are functional or whether we have the resilience to cope. They simply reveal what already exists. Scripture is full of people who endured such turning points. Jacob, his mother’s favoured son, fled home after deceiving his brother and found himself toiling as a shepherd under a deceitful uncle. Joseph, the cherished son, was sold into slavery by his older brothers on a whim. Jochebed, Moses’ mother faced the heartbreak of releasing her child into the Nile to save his life. Their stories show that disruption is part of life—and that in those moments, we discover whether our safety nets can carry us through.

Those who endured such seasons often leaned on three sure supports: a living relationship with God, a clear assurance of their identity and purpose, and faithful friends who strengthened them in times of weakness.

First, our relationship with God shapes how we experience and navigate life’s valleys. We cultivate this relationship by immersing ourselves in Scripture, where God reveals himself as faithful, loving, and patient. We see his character unfold in the lives of men and women he called and mentored through years of waiting and character development before fulfilling his promises. Knowing God in this way gives us the confidence to trust Him in small matters and the boldness to depend on Him in great trials. It also teaches us how to respond when his answer is delayed or even “no.” Like any friendship, this relationship grows with time and devotion, so that when the storms come, our hearts are steady because we know the One who walks with us.

Second, as we walk with God, he reveals our purpose and grounds us even when circumstances contradict our hopes. Joseph held onto his God-given dream of leadership, even when he was enslaved. He lived with integrity and diligence because he knew that God honours such character. Daniel, though exiled in Babylon, chose to live faithfully, even in what he ate, because he trusted that God had a purpose for him in that foreign land. We too can rely on the assurance and remain steadfast even when the details of God’s plan are not yet clear.

Finally, we need faithful friends or relatives. Companions who will lift us up when we are weak, remind us of God’s promises when we are discouraged, and encourage us to keep walking by faith when the tunnel feels endless. Jonathan stood by David when the latter’s life was under threat. When Naomi lost her husband and sons, Ruth her daughter-in-law stayed with her and even moved to a new country so she could comfort and care for her mother-in-law. Such friendships strengthen our resolve and lighten our burdens.

When these three supports—God, purpose, and faithful friends—are well anchored in our lives, we can face disruptions with courage. Even when God’s leading feels counterintuitive, we can trust that he sees the end from the beginning and that his plans are not for our destruction but for our good. And when the shadows stretch long, we can lean on him for comfort, confident that his timing, though sometimes slow to us, is always perfect.