devotional

The Truth About Shadows

One of the common sources of stress is loss. You can lose your job, your health, your money, your reputation, or a loved one. And the coronavirus pandemic is most likely amplifying the stress.

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 we get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will not kill you if you let it out.

Fear, on the other hand, can be 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! Because grief doesn’t paralyze us, but fear does.

In Psalm 23:4, David says, “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” (ESV).

David knew shepherds always carried a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. And he knew God had the power to protect him. So David trusted God, even in the darkest valleys.

We’re collectively going through a dark valley right now, and we can choose to trust God—even in the shadows, where it doesn’t make sense and when it can seem like a long way out of the valley.

But, here’s the good news to remember about big, scary shadows. You can’t have a shadow without light. If you see a shadow, that means there is a light shining nearby.

So the key when you’re going through the valley of the shadow is to turn your back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as you keep your eyes on the light—Jesus, the Light of the World—the shadow won’t scare you.

Just like David, trust God in the dark valleys, and pray, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn” (Psalm 142:3 NLT).

Rick Warren

Leave a Comment
Share
Published by
Rick Warren

Recent Posts

Obediencia Bíblica: Amor + Confianza + Acción

“Si me aman, obedezcan mis mandamientos”.  Juan 14:15 (NTV) Todos estamos familiarizados con la historia…

14 hours ago

Patience and Persistence Will Bring Success

If you don’t make plans in life, you’re just going to drift. As we’ve been…

14 hours ago

Arrepentimiento: Cómo Cambiar tu Piloto Automático

“Dejen que Dios los transforme en personas nuevas al cambiarles la manera de pensar”.  Romanos…

2 days ago

To Accomplish Your Dreams, Don’t Drift Through Life

In Genesis 24, Eleazar provides an example for how to be successful as you pursue…

2 days ago

Aislado no puedes Crecer Espiritualmente

“Pensemos en maneras de motivarnos unos a otros a realizar actos de amor y buenas…

3 days ago

Ask God for Help

Eleazar’s actions in Genesis 24 provide a great model for how to fulfill the dreams…

3 days ago