The Unpredictable Valley

 

Psalm 23:4-5(NLT)
“4 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. 5 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.”

Sometimes we go through really tough situations in life, and the darkest valleys are often unpredictable. They can land on the scene either at our most vulnerable times or right when we’re pumped and primed for what we think is going to be a promising new beginning. This is exactly what one of my dear friends experienced when he received a life-altering phone call from his son, who had been in a car accident and was arrested for DUI.

At the time, his son had just graduated with a degree in criminal justice and had applied to the police academy—full of hope and ambition. There’s an old saying that just when we think everything is falling into place, something throws a monkey wrench into the works and turns everything upside down. My friend feels this way about his son’s future. Within months, his son found himself burdened with court fines and forced to withdraw his application from the academy. His dream of a career in law enforcement slowly slipped away, all because of one poor decision.

It can feel like the air has been knocked from our lungs when the unexpected changes our circumstances so quickly. But sometimes life is like this. It shows us time and again how unpredictable it can be, with things dramatically shifting within the blink of an eye. It can be challenging to rally ourselves in these moments of uncertainty and upheaval. Things can feel very bleak, but with the Lord, we are never without hope. And we don’t have to be perfect to receive His help. His grace is all we need. As Isaiah 40:29 (NLT) reminds us: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT), we read “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” We hear this verse quite frequently, and with good reason. We need to be reminded of God’s omniscience and power every moment of each day. This verse was a source of assurance and comfort to the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon, an idolatrous place. God’s people had been disobedient; they turned their backs on Him—participating in idolatry themselves. Because of this, they were taken away from their homeland. They were discouraged, displaced, and wanting to get back to the place they once were.

So often, this is the place where many of us find ourselves—far from where we thought we’d be, but we are never alone and without help. Just as God reassured the His people in Old Testament times of His plans for them, He does the same for us. This doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences, but God is faithful even with circumstances look blead. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us that He’s still working things out for our good: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Our Heavenly Father has a unique plan for each of us, and nothing we go through is wasted in His hands.

Sure, things may look very different for my friend’s son. The path they mapped out for him may not be where he ends up, but God is the One with the plan. His plan is not hindered by our mistakes, and His grace is more than enough to keep us on track with all He has in store for us. As the psalmist reminds us, in life we can walk through some incredibly dark valley’s—ones that make it seem that all is lost. We may not be able to see a way forward, but God walks with us every step of the way. In those valleys, His presence gives us courage, His grace gives us strength, and His guidance leads us out of the darkness and into the light. There, things may unfold differently than we imagined, but as we continue to lean on Him, we will see that His plan and purpose fulfill us more than we could ever hope. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“The Unpredictable Valley”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.