Some of the heaviest things we carry in life can’t be seen.

You can’t put them in a wheelbarrow.

You can’t set them on a shelf.

You can’t weigh them on a scale.

But you can feel them… in your chest, in your thoughts, in the quiet moments when nobody else is around.

The Bible says in Proverbs 12:25 (KJV),

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”

That word stoop paints a picture.

It’s the picture of a person bent over by invisible weight.

Still showing up.

Still smiling.

Still functioning.

But carrying more than anyone realizes.

Maybe that’s you today.

Worried about your family.

Concerned about your health.

Tired of fighting the same battle.

Wondering how much longer you can hold on.

God doesn’t shame you for that heaviness.

He acknowledges it.

And then He offers a remedy.

A good word maketh it glad.

Not a perfect solution.

Not a sudden miracle.

Not a full explanation.

A good word.

One promise.

One reminder.

One scripture.

One whisper from heaven that says,

“I see you. I’m with you. You’re not alone.”

Sometimes God doesn’t remove the load immediately…

but He sends a word that gives you strength to lift your head again.

So let me offer you a good word today:

God is near.

God is faithful.

God is working, even when you can’t see it.

And this heaviness you feel?

It is not the end of your story.

Lift your eyes.

Take a breath.

Receive His word.

Because God still specializes in turning heavy hearts into hopeful ones.

Every now and then, life hands us a verse so simple… yet so searching… that it slips past our head and lands straight in our heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 (KJV):

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

That’s what we often call The Golden Rule.

But I don’t think Jesus meant it to be a slogan for a classroom wall.

I think He meant it to be a way of life.

Here’s the way I hear it in plain talk:

Treat people the way you hope God treats you.

Because if we’re honest…

We want grace when we mess up.

We want patience when we fall short.

We want mercy when we don’t deserve it.

We want someone to see our heart, not just our mistakes.

And Jesus says,

“Go ahead and live that out toward others.”

That means when someone is difficult…

You respond with kindness.

When someone is hurting…

You respond with compassion.

When someone fails…

You respond with grace.

Not because they earned it.

But because you’ve received it.

Living this verse doesn’t mean people will always treat you right.

But it does mean you get to live right.

And here’s the quiet miracle of it all:

When you start sowing kindness,

You begin reaping peace.

When you start sowing mercy,

You begin walking lighter.

When you start sowing grace,

You start looking a whole lot more like Jesus.

So today, before you speak… before you post… before you react…

Ask yourself one simple question:

“How would I want to be treated in this moment?”

Then do that.

Because when we live the Golden Rule,

We become golden reflections

of a gracious Savior.

And friend…

That kind of life

changes everything.

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.