Walking Through Valleys: Embracing God's Presence and Peace
Summary
Life is full of valleys—those dark, difficult seasons that none of us can avoid. Psalm 23, with its famous line “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” reminds us that valleys are as much a part of life as green meadows and peaceful streams. David, who wrote these words, knew both the highs and lows of life, and he points us to a God who is both our Shepherd and our King. The story of Edith Eager, a Holocaust survivor who found healing by facing her pain and then helping others, illustrates that to get to something new, we must go through something hard. We often want to avoid the valley, but the promise is not that we’ll never face hardship—it’s that God is with us in the midst of it.
Understanding who Jesus is changes how we walk through these valleys. First, Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is invested in us, not as a hired hand, but as one who lays down his life for his sheep. Like a loving parent, he leads, guides, and protects, but he also moves at a pace that is often slower than we’d like. We live in a world that hates to wait, but spiritual growth and healing require us to walk, not run, with the Shepherd. Second, Christ is the Conquering King. He has authority over all things, and following him means surrendering both our minds and our actions to his rule—even when it’s uncomfortable or goes against our natural desires. True comfort comes when we allow Christ to be both Shepherd and King in our lives.
When we find ourselves in a valley, there are practical steps to take. Don’t panic or believe you’re alone—everyone faces valleys. Don’t assume God is angry with you; his love is steadfast, even in pain. Don’t forget forgiveness, including forgiving yourself if your own choices contributed to your situation. And don’t believe the valley will last forever; every season has an end. To move through the valley, get in God’s house—surround yourself with the people of God. Get in God’s Word—let Scripture strengthen your soul. And finally, get to a place of complete surrender, trusting that Christ has already won the victory. Nothing can separate us from his love, and even in the darkest valley, we can walk without fear, knowing who walks beside us.
Key Takeaways
- Christ as the Good Shepherd means he is deeply invested in our well-being, not just as a distant overseer but as one who sacrifices for us. Like a loving parent, he leads us with care and patience, inviting us to trust his pace rather than rushing ahead in our own strength. Learning to walk with the Shepherd, rather than outrunning him, is essential for spiritual growth and peace. [21:15]
- The valleys of life are unavoidable, but they are not purposeless. Often, the only way to reach new places of healing, maturity, or calling is by going through hardship, not around it. God’s promise is not the absence of valleys, but his presence with us in them, transforming our pain into a source of strength and compassion for others. [16:40]
- Surrendering to Christ as King challenges our natural desire for independence and control. True discipleship means submitting both our thoughts and actions to his authority, even when his commands are difficult or countercultural. The comfort and peace of Christ are found not in selective obedience, but in wholehearted surrender to his rule. [32:02]
- Community is vital for navigating the valleys. Isolation breeds despair, but being in God’s house—worshiping, serving, and connecting with others who love Jesus—provides strength, accountability, and encouragement. The first step away from God is often a step away from his people, so prioritize gathering with the church and building relationships that point you back to Christ. [39:40]
- Complete surrender is the gateway to victory and peace. When we stop striving in our own strength and trust Christ’s finished work, we discover that nothing—not even death or our deepest fears—can separate us from his love. Faith is not the absence of feelings, but the choice to trust God’s promises until our emotions catch up with the truth that Christ has already won. [47:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introducing New Campuses and Lowell Correctional Institution
[02:30] - Series Overview: Songs We Sing
[04:00] - The Story Behind “Even Though I Walk”
[06:00] - Psalm 23: The Shepherd’s Perspective
[09:30] - The Story of Edith Eager: Healing Through the Valley
[13:30] - The Unavoidable Valleys of Life
[16:40] - What Do We Do in the Valley?
[21:15] - Christ the Good Shepherd
[25:56] - The Pace of the Shepherd vs. Our Hurry
[29:30] - Christ the Conquering King
[32:02] - Surrendering Mind and Actions to Christ
[33:41] - Loving Our Enemies and Submitting to God’s Ways
[39:40] - The Power of Community and Serving
[43:00] - Getting in God’s Word
[45:30] - Complete Surrender and Christ’s Victory
[47:58] - Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
[49:40] - Next Steps and Worship in the Valley
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Psalm 23 (ESV)
> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
> He makes me lie down in green pastures.
> He leads me beside still waters.
> He restores my soul.
> He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
> 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.
> You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
> you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
> Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
> and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
John 10:11-15 (ESV)
> I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
> He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
> He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
> I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
> just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Romans 8:35-39 (ESV)
> Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
> As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
> No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
> For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
> nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Psalm 23, what are the different places or situations the Shepherd leads the sheep through? What stands out about the “valley of the shadow of death”?
2. According to John 10, what is the main difference between the good shepherd and a hired hand?
3. In Romans 8:35-39, what kinds of hardships or “valleys” does Paul mention, and what is his conclusion about God’s love in those situations?
4. The sermon mentioned that David, who wrote Psalm 23, had experienced both “highs and lows” in life. What does this suggest about the reality of valleys for everyone, even people of faith? [[06:00]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “the valley is as guaranteed as the peaceful stream.” Why do you think God allows us to go through valleys instead of just leading us around them? [[13:30]]
2. Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who “lays down his life for the sheep.” How does this image help us trust him during difficult seasons? [[21:15]]
3. The sermon challenges us to surrender both our minds and actions to Christ as King, even when it’s uncomfortable. What might it look like to do this in a real-life situation where you disagree with what the Bible says? [[32:02]]
4. The message says, “The first step away from God is a step away from the people of God.” Why is community so important when we’re in a valley? [[39:40]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about not panicking or believing you’re alone in the valley. When you’re in a hard season, what are some ways you tend to isolate yourself? How could you reach out for help instead? [[33:41]]
2. “Don’t assume God is angry with you; his love is steadfast, even in pain.” Have you ever felt like God was punishing you during a tough time? How did that affect your relationship with him? [[33:41]]
3. The message encouraged us to forgive ourselves if our own choices contributed to our valley. Is there a situation where you need to accept God’s forgiveness for yourself? What would it look like to move forward? [[33:41]]
4. The sermon said, “Learning to walk with the Shepherd, rather than outrunning him, is essential for spiritual growth and peace.” Are there areas in your life where you’re trying to rush ahead of God? What would it look like to slow down and trust his timing? [[25:56]]
5. “Get in God’s house—surround yourself with the people of God.” How connected do you feel to Christian community right now? What’s one step you could take to build deeper relationships with other believers? [[39:40]]
6. “Get in God’s Word—let Scripture strengthen your soul.” What is one practical way you could make reading the Bible a regular part of your week, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day? [[43:00]]
7. The sermon said, “Complete surrender is the gateway to victory and peace.” Is there an area of your life where you’re still trying to stay in control? What would it look like to surrender that to Christ this week? [[47:58]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for anyone currently walking through a valley. Ask God to help each person trust Jesus as both Shepherd and King, and to experience his presence and love no matter what season they are in.
Devotional
Day 1: God Walks With Us Through Every Valley
No matter how dark or difficult the valley, God promises to be with us, guiding, protecting, and comforting us as our Shepherd. Life is full of seasons—some peaceful, some painful—and while we may wish to avoid the valleys, they are as much a part of our journey as the green meadows. The assurance is not that we will never face hardship, but that we never walk through it alone. God’s presence is our comfort, and His faithfulness is our hope, even when the way forward is unclear or frightening. [10:30]
Psalm 23 (NLT):
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Reflection: What is one “valley” you are currently walking through, and how can you invite God’s presence to comfort and guide you in a tangible way today?
Day 2: Christ Is Our Good Shepherd
Jesus is not a distant or indifferent caretaker—He is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, loves them deeply, and is invested in their well-being. Unlike a hired hand who flees at danger, Jesus stays, protects, and sacrifices for us. He leads us at a pace that is often slower than we desire, teaching us to trust, wait, and follow Him rather than rushing ahead. In a world that values speed and self-sufficiency, learning to walk at the Shepherd’s pace is an act of faith and surrender, allowing Him to guide us through every season. [25:56]
John 10:11-15 (NLT):
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to “outrun” the Shepherd, and how can you intentionally slow down to follow Jesus’ lead this week?
Day 3: Christ Is King—Surrendering Mind and Actions
Jesus is not only our Shepherd but also our King, calling us to surrender both our thoughts and our actions to His authority. This means allowing His ways to shape our decisions, even when they challenge our preferences or comfort. True surrender is not about perfection but about a willingness to let Christ’s rule override our own desires, trusting that His commands—even the hard ones, like loving our enemies—are for our good. When we make Christ King, we mold our lives after Him, seeking to become more like Him in every area. [33:41]
Ephesians 1:20-23 (NLT):
God raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Reflection: What is one thought or action you need to surrender to Christ’s authority today, even if it feels uncomfortable or difficult?
Day 4: Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love
No matter what we face—trouble, loss, fear, or even death—nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Our victory is not in our circumstances but in Christ, who has already conquered sin and death. This assurance gives us courage to keep walking, even when the valley feels endless, because we know the outcome: Christ has won, and His love is unbreakable. When we surrender to Him, we can rest in the security that we are never abandoned, and that His love will carry us through every trial. [48:26]
Romans 8:35-39 (NLT):
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: When you feel distant from God, what truth from this passage can you hold onto to remind yourself of His unbreakable love?
Day 5: The Power of Community and God’s Word in the Valley
One of the most practical ways to get through the valley is to stay connected to God’s people and immerse yourself in His Word. Isolation breeds discouragement, but gathering with other believers in worship and service brings strength, encouragement, and accountability. God’s Word equips us to face temptation and strengthens our spirit, while community reminds us we are not alone. Taking steps to join a group, serve, or simply show up in God’s house can be the turning point in your journey through the valley, as God uses others to speak truth and hope into your life. [39:40]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT):
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to this week—either to encourage them or to ask for support as you walk through your own valley?
Quotes
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