"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."

— Psalm 23:4

Do you sometimes feel that you may be going through what seems to be a valley of decisions, despair or doubt?

Throughout the darkest and gloomiest times of life, God is with you.

You are not going through the dark valley alone. The comforter, protector and guide is with you. God knows all the danger that you will encounter around the curve, the hidden pits and the steep cliffs that are in the way. He will guide you around and through the dangerous times in your life.

God is with you through the curves of career choices and financial decisions you must make. God is with you when you encounter the hidden pits of health problems. God is with you during the mental and emotional issues that have brought you to the edge of the cliff.

"As the great storm increased and the waves beat the ship, the disciples went to Jesus to awaken him. Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace be Still! The wind ceased and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:41)

At your lowest point in life, God is with you!

The sea that Jesus commanded is the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is situated in northeast Israel, near the Golan Heights, in the Jordan Rift Valley. This valley is caused by the separation of the African and Arabian Plates. The Jordan Valley is an elongated depression located in modern-day Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. This geographic region includes the Jordan River, Jordan Valley, Hula Valley, Lake Tiberias and the Dead Sea, the lowest land elevation on Earth.

The disciples find themselves, not only in despair and near destruction, but they are also in a valley. At the lowest point in the lives of the disciples, Jesus calms the sea!

At the times we are at our lowest point and it seems all hope is gone, God will calm the storm in our lives.

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth." (Luke 3:4-5)

As you walk through the valley of life, God is with you to straighten the curves of decisions, fill the pits of despair, and make cliffs of doubt smooth.

Parks is evangelism pastor at Life UPC and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.