Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
I live in a valley between two mountain ranges. It’s a beautiful place and I love looking up on either side at the peaks and ridges as I travel along the freeway or the bike trail. Green in spring but brown by summer, the terrain is something I just can’t get enough of.
Until fire season rolls around. Those varying shades of brown signify the arid composition of the land. There are no summer rains to bring the greenness back but rather lightning strikes to start wildfires and fierce winds to fan the fast-moving flames. Because of climate change, the summers are hotter and drier. The fires get closer.
Fear has a way of imbedding deep into your mind and creating a stronghold, a venerable fortress that forces all other, perhaps more rational thoughts, to succumb to the strength of that fear. Anxiety, a close cousin of fear, guards this prison of the mind as it exerts control over the body in a visceral sort of way.
To unlock the prison of my anxious and fearful thoughts, I open my Bible. Psalm 23 is a familiar one. I read it this time with new eyes as I pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination. The key verse today, verse 4, leaps off the page. I can certainly relate to walking through a valley, especially one that is threatened by wildfires. David, the shepherd boy turned king who penned this psalm, declares in verse 4 that he will fear no evil. Why? Because the Lord is with him. I, too, need not fear both real and exaggerated dangers. God’s presence surrounds me and melts away the stronghold of fear within my mind. But first, I have to recognize His presence with me, trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty to protect me, and make a conscious choice not to allow fear to control me.
“Your rod and your staff” in verse 4 do not initially sound very comforting to me. Yet, as I dig a bit deeper into this verse, I realize that “rod” simply refers to God’s Word and the strength it imparts. God’s Word is indeed a source of strength to me, especially when I tuck verses like Psalm 23:4 or Psalm 56:3* into my memory to recall when I start to feel afraid again.
The shepherd’s crook or staff in verse 4 has several meanings. The staff refers to the way the shepherd guides and protects his sheep by gently keeping them on the right path and by using the staff against predators to protect his precious sheep. Whatever my fears are, Jesus protects me and guides me through this darkest valley on a path of faith and trust.
The staff is also a symbol of God’s promises. Two such promises spring to mind: God is with me and will strengthen and help me (Isaiah 41:10*) and when I pray about everything with thanksgiving, God promises to guard my heart and mind with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7*). While fear is a normal human emotion, I don’t have to let it control me. God is with me and through prayer, I can experience His peace in the midst of fearful circumstances.
Lastly, the staff is instrumental in aiding the shepherd as he counts his sheep, which, in biblical times, were considered very valuable. This reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:7, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus values me and cares for me so much that I can trust Him to take care of me and I don’t need to be afraid. I can cast all my anxiety on Him for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7*).
The whole imagery of sheep and a shepherd is comforting. Isaiah 40:11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Parking my mind on this imagery of Jesus carrying His lambs close to His heart, to love and protect them replaces the negative and rampant thoughts of fear and reassures me that Jesus loves and protects me, too. When I’m afraid, I have the abiding presence of Jesus to calm my fears and His strength to carry me when my own strength has been sabotaged by fear.
What causes your heart to seize with fear? This year has held us hostage to the fear of a pandemic with its many horrible implications. George Floyd’s murder has awakened many to the fear gripping Black communities every day. The stress of the election (yes, election stress disorder is a thing) can evoke both fear and anxiety regarding the uncertainty now and the outcome later. (I’m writing this a couple of weeks before Election Day.) Perhaps you have your own unique fears layered on top of these underpinnings of national angst. Whatever causes trepidation in your heart and keeps your mind on a loop of perpetual anxiety, know that God is in control, that He is with you, that He will strengthen and help you, and that He tenderly cares for you as a shepherd cares for his lambs, especially in the midst of trying and scary circumstances. (Click here for a free, downloadable PDF of Bible verses on fear and anxiety.)
Choosing to trust Jesus as my Shepherd who lovingly cares for me as His sheep, His precious lamb, fills me with hope and comfort instead of anxiety and fear. I don’t have to be afraid when the Shepherd walks with me, whether it’s in the valley of the shadow of death or in the valley of California wildfires, global pandemics, racial injustice, or national elections. In whatever fearful valley you find yourself in today, know that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lovingly walks with you and will gently lead you through to peaceful green pastures and calming still waters.
Lord, You are the Good Shepherd who lovingly looks after Your sheep. I don’t need to hold onto fear, even when circumstances tell me otherwise. My truly safe place is inside where Your Spirit brings me the gifts of Your presence, strength, and peace. I thank You that You are sovereign and faithful to lead me through whatever valley I’m walking in today. Amen.
*Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
*Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
*Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
*1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2020 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of grazing sheep in Paradise, near Queenstown, New Zealand.
A NOTE ABOUT RACIAL JUSTICE: The conversation on racial justice must continue. But change will not happen with only conversations and demonstrations. Cultural and legislative changes are key to dismantling systemic racism. Antiracism is a journey. Will you join me? Click here to check out my new website page on “Justice Matters”.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
I live in a valley between two mountain ranges. It’s a beautiful place and I love looking up on either side at the peaks and ridges as I travel along the freeway or the bike trail. Green in spring but brown by summer, the terrain is something I just can’t get enough of.
Until fire season rolls around. Those varying shades of brown signify the arid composition of the land. There are no summer rains to bring the greenness back but rather lightning strikes to start wildfires and fierce winds to fan the fast-moving flames. Because of climate change, the summers are hotter and drier. The fires get closer.
Fear has a way of imbedding deep into your mind and creating a stronghold, a venerable fortress that forces all other, perhaps more rational thoughts, to succumb to the strength of that fear. Anxiety, a close cousin of fear, guards this prison of the mind as it exerts control over the body in a visceral sort of way.
To unlock the prison of my anxious and fearful thoughts, I open my Bible. Psalm 23 is a familiar one. I read it this time with new eyes as I pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination. The key verse today, verse 4, leaps off the page. I can certainly relate to walking through a valley, especially one that is threatened by wildfires. David, the shepherd boy turned king who penned this psalm, declares in verse 4 that he will fear no evil. Why? Because the Lord is with him. I, too, need not fear both real and exaggerated dangers. God’s presence surrounds me and melts away the stronghold of fear within my mind. But first, I have to recognize His presence with me, trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty to protect me, and make a conscious choice not to allow fear to control me.
“Your rod and your staff” in verse 4 do not initially sound very comforting to me. Yet, as I dig a bit deeper into this verse, I realize that “rod” simply refers to God’s Word and the strength it imparts. God’s Word is indeed a source of strength to me, especially when I tuck verses like Psalm 23:4 or Psalm 56:3* into my memory to recall when I start to feel afraid again.
The shepherd’s crook or staff in verse 4 has several meanings. The staff refers to the way the shepherd guides and protects his sheep by gently keeping them on the right path and by using the staff against predators to protect his precious sheep. Whatever my fears are, Jesus protects me and guides me through this darkest valley on a path of faith and trust.
The staff is also a symbol of God’s promises. Two such promises spring to mind: God is with me and will strengthen and help me (Isaiah 41:10*) and when I pray about everything with thanksgiving, God promises to guard my heart and mind with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7*). While fear is a normal human emotion, I don’t have to let it control me. God is with me and through prayer, I can experience His peace in the midst of fearful circumstances.
Lastly, the staff is instrumental in aiding the shepherd as he counts his sheep, which, in biblical times, were considered very valuable. This reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 12:7, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus values me and cares for me so much that I can trust Him to take care of me and I don’t need to be afraid. I can cast all my anxiety on Him for He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7*).
The whole imagery of sheep and a shepherd is comforting. Isaiah 40:11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Parking my mind on this imagery of Jesus carrying His lambs close to His heart, to love and protect them replaces the negative and rampant thoughts of fear and reassures me that Jesus loves and protects me, too. When I’m afraid, I have the abiding presence of Jesus to calm my fears and His strength to carry me when my own strength has been sabotaged by fear.
What causes your heart to seize with fear? This year has held us hostage to the fear of a pandemic with its many horrible implications. George Floyd’s murder has awakened many to the fear gripping Black communities every day. The stress of the election (yes, election stress disorder is a thing) can evoke both fear and anxiety regarding the uncertainty now and the outcome later. (I’m writing this a couple of weeks before Election Day.) Perhaps you have your own unique fears layered on top of these underpinnings of national angst. Whatever causes trepidation in your heart and keeps your mind on a loop of perpetual anxiety, know that God is in control, that He is with you, that He will strengthen and help you, and that He tenderly cares for you as a shepherd cares for his lambs, especially in the midst of trying and scary circumstances. (Click here for a free, downloadable PDF of Bible verses on fear and anxiety.)
Choosing to trust Jesus as my Shepherd who lovingly cares for me as His sheep, His precious lamb, fills me with hope and comfort instead of anxiety and fear. I don’t have to be afraid when the Shepherd walks with me, whether it’s in the valley of the shadow of death or in the valley of California wildfires, global pandemics, racial injustice, or national elections. In whatever fearful valley you find yourself in today, know that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lovingly walks with you and will gently lead you through to peaceful green pastures and calming still waters.
Lord, You are the Good Shepherd who lovingly looks after Your sheep. I don’t need to hold onto fear, even when circumstances tell me otherwise. My truly safe place is inside where Your Spirit brings me the gifts of Your presence, strength, and peace. I thank You that You are sovereign and faithful to lead me through whatever valley I’m walking in today. Amen.
*Psalm 56:3 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
*Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
*Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
*1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2020 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of grazing sheep in Paradise, near Queenstown, New Zealand.
A NOTE ABOUT RACIAL JUSTICE: The conversation on racial justice must continue. But change will not happen with only conversations and demonstrations. Cultural and legislative changes are key to dismantling systemic racism. Antiracism is a journey. Will you join me? Click here to check out my new website page on “Justice Matters”.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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