Sometimes the hardest roads we walk are the ones we never planned on taking.

Psalm 23:4 says,

“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.”

Notice the word through.

David didn’t say we pitch a tent in the valley.

He didn’t say we build a house there.

He said we walk through it.

Valleys are temporary places, not permanent addresses.

You may be in a valley right now.

A valley of grief.

A valley of uncertainty.

A valley of exhaustion.

A valley where the light feels dim and the answers feel far away.

But God never promised we would avoid valleys.

He promised we would never walk them alone.

“For thou art with me.”

Not ahead of you shouting directions.

Not behind you yelling encouragement.

But with you.

Side by side.

Step by step.

Breath by breath.

Even in the valley, God is not absent.

Even in the darkness, God is not silent.

Even in the fear, God is still faithful.

David says, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

The rod reminds us God protects.

The staff reminds us God guides.

When you don’t know where to step, He guides.

When you don’t know how to stand, He supports.

When you feel weak, He stays.

Here’s the hope today:

The valley may be dark, but it is not final.

The shadow may be long, but it is not stronger than the light.

The season may be hard, but God is still good.

So keep walking.

One step at a time.

One prayer at a time.

One breath at a time.

You are not abandoned.

You are not forgotten.

You are not alone.

The Shepherd is with you.

And if He brought you into this valley,

He will walk you through it.

Better days are ahead.

Light is coming.

Grace is carrying you.

Hold on.

God is closer than you think.

Some of the most honest words the Apostle Paul ever wrote are found in 2 Corinthians 12:10:

“For when I am weak, then am I strong.”

That sounds backwards to our world.

We’re taught to hide weakness, mask struggle, and project strength.

But God’s kingdom runs on a different economy.

Paul discovered something life-changing:

God’s power does not show up best in our polish…

It shows up best in our dependence.

When you come to the end of yourself, you haven’t reached a dead end.

You’ve reached a doorway.

Weakness is not the absence of God’s presence.

Weakness is often the invitation for God’s power.

Every place you feel tired…

Every place you feel insufficient…

Every place you’ve whispered, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore…”

That may be the very place where God says,

“Good. Now let Me show you what I can do.”

You don’t have to be strong enough.

You don’t have to have it all together.

You don’t have to impress heaven.

You just have to lean.

And when you lean on Jesus,

His strength becomes your supply.

His grace becomes your covering.

His power becomes your story.

So today, don’t curse your weakness.

Consecrate it.

Because in God’s hands…

Your weakness becomes a witness.

And your weakness becomes strength.

And that is good news.

There are moments in life when the road feels long…

and your strength feels short.

You’re still moving forward.

You’re still believing.

You’re still holding on.

But deep down, you’re wondering if anyone hears you.

That’s when Psalm 145:18 steps into the middle of your struggle and speaks hope:

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

Friend, that verse isn’t about perfect people.

It’s not about polished prayers.

It’s not about having all the answers.

It’s about honest hearts.

God draws near to people who are real with Him.

Not the ones who have it all together…

but the ones who come as they are.

The ones who say,

“Lord, I’m weary.”

“Lord, I’m scared.”

“Lord, I don’t understand, but I still believe.”

And heaven responds with this promise:

I’m close.

You may not feel Him right now,

but He’s close.

You may not see the breakthrough yet,

but He’s close.

You may not hear His voice clearly,

but He’s close.

God’s nearness doesn’t always look like instant miracles.

Sometimes it looks like steady strength.

Sometimes it looks like quiet or peace.

Sometimes it looks like enough grace to make it through today.

So don’t stop calling.

Don’t stop praying.

Don’t stop trusting.

Every sincere cry gets Heaven’s attention.

The Lord is near.

And if God is near,

you are not finished.

You are not forgotten.

You are not alone.

You’re going to make it.