Our Journey. Episode 7.

The valley of the shadow of death is a real place – no wonder God spoke through the Psalmist David to make sure it was mentioned in Psalm 23:4 KJV: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Our Journey now feels like we’re going through that very valley – it’s a place that feels dark, winding, never-ending, scary and painful; it’s a place that emulates death in everything – including hope – it’s a place where everything feels dead. The valley of the shadow of death is a place where everything you touch, see and taste feels dried up, parched and broken… but notice I said “feels.” While the valley is real and feels final, it is through these dreaded feelings that we must continue to assure ourselves… we must never be afraid because we are not alone! God’s rod and staff are here to guide us; as His sheep, this is the season when we practice what we were taught over the years – how to trust and obey the voice of God even when pain hides His hands from us.

Kerry is in constant pain and her body seems to be rapidly familiarizing itself with the pain medication; when this happens, the pain subsides only for a short time and returns within hours… sometimes more excruciating than before. It is never easy to watch someone we love go through pain – we always wish that we could either take it from her or help her carry it through our own bodies especially when she gets tired and overwhelmed. This is never possible as near as we are to her – yet God is using the season and the moments to help us bond as a family and to stand with her through this ordeal. Humanly speaking, we constantly require renewed strength and God has been supplying this each day – this is how He has been helping us through the valley… moment-by-moment… day-by-day. His strength has been made perfect in our weaknesses and in our tiredness and exhaustion, we clothe our minds with His Word to get us through our fears.

“Fear[ing] no evil” requires us to be bold and brave but truthfully, there are days when we don’t want to be. There are days when we just want this sickness to just be over and done and for Kerry to get past this season and become well. Shouldn’t there be a timeline for anyone to travel through this valley? Our Journey taught me that God’s timing is never ours. While listening to a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick a few weeks ago, I felt quickened in my spirit as I was reminded that God’s presence and Spirit doesn’t work in our timing.  What an eye-opener this is for me as my family continues to pray and believe for God’s manifestation on Our Journey. The sermon reminded me that God is “unschedulable” and that while we don’t know what heaven has scheduled – God does!  

As we continue to pray for our miracle, we will continue to wait on God to make our latter days greater than our former days; we will continue to hold on to our confidence that God is going to bless us in the unexpected season! We will go through the “valley of the shadow of death” with every ounce of strength that we have left, believing that our God whom we serve continually is able to deliver us. We choose to believe that our God will “anoint our head[s] with oil,” and that our “cup[s] will run over.”  We declare that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow [us] all the days of [our lives]: and [that we] will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalms‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬). We receive God’s blessings over our lives and over the lives of generations to come. Hallelujah!

In ‘Our Journey, Episode 8,’ I will share with you how I see God moving and how through it all, He’s holding our hands. Until then, walk good.

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