Even Though

Even though I walk through the darkest valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. ~ Psalm 23:4

This scripture starts out by saying, “Even though…”  Even though is a conjunction meaning, “despite the fact,” or “regardless.”   In other words, “While I recognize that I’m currently in this situation, I fully expect it to change.”  In this scripture, the speaker recognizes that he is in the “valley of the shadow of death.”  The word “death” can be a physical death, an emotional death (such as distress), a mental death (such as depression), a relational death, it doesn’t give complete clarity.  Regardless of what you are facing or feeling, you don’t have to stay in that place. 

Romans 8 talks about life through the Spirit versus life through the flesh: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace,” (vv. 5-6).  Regardless of how you got into this valley, if you have the Spirit of Christ living in you, then you already have the power within you to come out of it.  That is why the speaker in Psalm 23 can say, “I will not be afraid.” 

Whatever you are facing today: trials in your marriage, with your kids, with your family, health issues, financial issues, others, know that even though this trial may seem insurmountable, God is with you.  He is walking close beside you and you don’t have to be afraid.  He longs to comfort and protect you and show you the way out.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but [a Spirit] of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

~Heather Potts~