The Darkest Valley
by Angela Breidenbach
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23: 4, NLT
I can’t remember anything! What’s wrong with me?
One thing after another piled on as if I’d been in an avalanche. My credit card took two payments and fried my finances. I lost track of how many phone calls and bank visits it took to correct it. My horse’s death from a slip on ice into a shallow pond, my cat’s lung cancer and subsequent death, my injury from trying to help the horse…
Each day I’d wake to another incident for over six weeks. I lost track of life. I couldn’t seem to get back in synch. I pulled out my journal and wrote desperate prayers only God would see. Not formal prayer, just words from my soul to His.
Peace enveloped me as I prayed through that journal. I’d let circumstances become bigger than God. I felt Him saying, “I’m bigger. I’m helping you. Now I’ll send you others to help through their troubles because you have learned compassion.”
Thought: Only those who walk the darkest valley can guide another through.
______________________________________________________________
Angela Breidenbach is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life releases May 2, 2011, from Journey Press and Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance. Visit her at www.AngelaBreidenbach.com
Related posts:
3 Comments until now.
So true! People attempting to comfort us often say “I know how you feel” when, in reality, they have no idea how we feel. I would much rather hear, “I love you and I’m praying for you”. I read this quote (based on scripture) in a Billy Graham book, “God does not comfort us so that we may be comfortable, but so that we may comfort others.” We must pass on God’s loving kindness and grace to others. You’re words touched me today.
Angela, you reminded me that GOD allows tragedy in our lives, to bring us closer to him. Along the way, he sends help by way of others who are simultaneously carrying their own cross. Strength in numbers; strength together in him. Fantastic reminder ma’am.
With a different set of circumstances, you have described the past six weeks or more for me, too. I would have to look back a long time to find such a long time of struggling to keep up while bad news piles up. On the other hand, in the past I have felt a lot worse in times that weren’t nearly as bad. I, too, am discovering the comfort of God–and wondering why it took me so long to open myself up to it. Thanks for the reminder. I hope some of my words comfort someone as much as yours have helped comfort me.