Morrison Chapel

“How to Deal with Dark Valleys”

“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.” Psalm 23:4

 Examples of Life’s Valleys

* The Valley of Weeping – Ps 84:6 (LB)

* The Valley of Trouble or Calamity – Hosea 2:15 Josh 7:26

* The Valley of Deep Darkness – Ps 23:4

 A)      WHAT TO REMEMBER IN DARK VALLEYS

1.  Valleys are Inevitable

“In this world you will have trouble.”  John 16:33 (NIV)

 2.  Valleys are Unpredictable

“Disaster follows disaster… In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter (falls) in a moment.”  Jer 4:20 (NIV)

 3.  Valleys are Impartial

“(It) rains on the just and the unjust too.”  Mt 5:45 (LB)

“He … sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Mt 5:45b (NIV)

 4.  Valleys are Temporary

“There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.” 1 Peter 1:6 (LB)

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:6 (NIV)

“Our troubles are short-lived and their outcome is an eternal glory which outweights them all.”  2 Cor 4:17 (NEB)

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  2 Cor 4:17 (NIV)

 5.  Valleys are Purposeful

“… at the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials.  This is no accident-it happens to prove your faith…” 1 Peter 1:6b-7 (Philips)

“… though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.   These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  1 Peter 1:6b-7 (NIV)

B)            WHAT TO DO IN DARK VALLEYS

1. Refuse to be Discouraged

“I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”

“God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient.”  Col 1:11 (NCV)

“being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully” Col 1:11 (NIV)

2. Remember that God Is With Me

“FOR YOU ARE WITH ME”

“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.” Is 43:2 (LB)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Is 43:2 (NIV)

 3. Rely on God’s Protection and Guidance

“YOUR ROD AND STAFF COMFORT ME”

“The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them too.  But the Lord helps him in each and every one.” Ps 34:19 (LB)

“A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Ps 34:19 (NIV)