That Dark Valley

Rosemary Bogdan reflects on what Scripture tells us about suffering, endurance, and God’s plan for our lives. 

The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I lack. (Psalm 23:1)

How comforting are these words. But what about that dark valley and fearing no evil? It is very difficult to fear no evil when we are faced with uncertainty, suffering, pain, grief, or other trials. 

Dark Nights 

What do we do during those nights of pain or tears, pleading for God’s mercy. 

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 comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

He is with us. We know. But there is still the pain, the sorrow, the dark times. 

Sometimes reciting Scripture helps me. Jesus is present in the Word. When we read or recite the Word we are coming into the Presence of Jesus. Jesus is Who we need. The weaker we feel, the more we need Him. The more we fear, the more we must plead for His peace.  

We Are His Little Sheep 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalm 23: 4b)

He is offering us comfort. The image of Jesus with His rod and staff watching His little sheep is a reminder that He is guiding our steps, our decisions, our feelings. We are the lambs who don’t know the way. We know nothing but to stay near the Master. With His rod and His staff, He is keeping us safe. 

We don’t have the mind of God to always discern what He wants from us, how we should walk, or what the future holds. We must rely on His protection and guidance.

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

And sometimes this is hard. 

We can feel that we are being tested beyond our strength. But we know that is not true.

I have strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Philippians 4:13)

Still, in our weakness we can lean more on the Lord, accept our weakness and receive His mercy. 

Praying for Relief but Surrendering to His Will 

It is, of course, all right to pray for relief. Jesus Himself even prayed for relief in Gethsemane:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)  

We can ask but still surrender to God’s will. Surrender is more of a choice than a feeling. Sometimes we can’t control our feelings, but we can control our will.  

Receiving His Hope 

God’s plan is so much bigger than what we can even imagine. We don’t know what fruits our pain might be reaping. Remember Saint Paul suffered a great deal. Still, he wrote to the Romans:

Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5: 3-5) 

We must endure that we might receive hope — and hope does not disappoint. Scripture reassures us:

The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11) 

May the Lord richly pour out His grace on us while we suffer. And may we always remember that God has a plan, and His plan is always good. Blessed be God. 

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Copyright 2025 Rosemary Bogdan
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