Green Grass in Dark Valleys

April 4, 2018  - By Gretchen Saffles

“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)

The darkest valley I’ve walked through to date was a season of anxiety and depression. I was in the throes of ministry and motherhood and was blindsided by the spiritual attack. Needless to say, there were warning signs I should have heeded, but the intensity of the darkness that surrounded my mind, heart, and soul were more than I could bear at times. I stepped away from ministry, and for several months battled crippling anxiety that threatened to steal my faith many times over. The days ran together, and most of what I can remember from that season of the “valley of the shadow of death” was what I was able to write down in my journal as I poured my heart out like water before the Lord.

The Shadow that Threatens

In my lowest moments it seemed impossible to feel the nearness of God, much less trust that He was truly with me and still guiding me. I remember reading Psalm 23 in one of my lowest moments and stopping at the word “shadow” in verse four. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.…” I pressed in further, for it felt as if darkness and despair of death were clinging fiercely to my soul. The shadow of a sword can’t hurt us, a sermon I listened to stated. The shadow of the enemy might frighten our souls, but ultimately, it is just a shadow. We must look beyond the shadow to the light, clinging ever more fiercely to our God who never leaves us in the darkness without hope. Even though we walk through “shadows” in life, we can know that the Comforter will soon shine light in the darkness. The darker the day, the brighter the light will be.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to naturally find great joy in the dark valleys. My natural tendency is to complain, to worry, to doubt. I’d much rather exit the valley than learn a lesson in it, but God is patient with us, always desiring to lead us into a deeper understanding of His grace, mercy, care, and provision. I listened to many podcasts during those low moments. Even when my eyes couldn’t read and my heart couldn’t articulate how it felt, I relied on the words and faith of others to carry me through. One day I heard Jill Briscoe explain that greenest grass actually grows in the darkest valleys. It’s not on the mountaintops where we learn the nearness and faithfulness of God, it’s in the valleys in between. Mountaintops certainly hold incredible views, but life is also filled with valleys that hold great treasure as well.

Treasures of Darkness

The darkest valleys hold even greater abundance than we could ever behold if we only experienced the mountaintops. It’s in the dark “valley of the shadow of death” where we learn there is no evil to be feared and the Comforter is always near. It’s also in the dark valley where we get to dine with Jesus “in the presence of our enemies” (Ps. 23:5).

That season of darkness I walked through is one I look back on and see the hand of God guiding me every step of the way. Though I rarely felt His presence, and I frequently doubted His goodness, He faithfully stood by me, and in His perfect timing, He illuminated the shadows that threatened to overcome me.

Isaiah 45:3 tells us this: “I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” Treasures of darkness are the hope we can cling to when we traverse through the valleys of this life. Though they may seem prolonged forever, we hope in God’s unfailing grace. There’s a valley in between each mountaintop. Rather than try to avoid the valleys, we can walk through them knowing God is with us and for us, and he has a greater purpose in them. Both the valleys and the mountaintops are vital to a deeper understanding of His faithfulness and character.

Don’t miss the blessings of the valleys by searching for the mountaintops. The Shepherd is with you in the darkness, drawing you to the light. Step into the green grass, holding the Shepherd’s promises in your heart, knowing that in the darkest valley the greenest grass grows.

Standing on the green grass of His promises,

Gretchen

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  1. REFRANKLIN19@GMAIL.COM says:

    THIS TOPIC WAS PERFECT FOR ME TODAY!!!! I NEED TO REMEMBER TO WALK THROUGH THE VALLEYS 🙂

  2. kmdrahosh@gmail.com says:

    I loved this. A much-needed reminder of His faithfulness.

  3. patricia2727@gmail.com says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I needed this. <3

  4. hkbender@gmail.com says:

    He is with us and for us! Such a perfect reminder on the hard days!

  5. angelavandegraaf@gmail.com says:

    Thank you so much for this…I’m in that valley right now and this post can’t be a coincidence…’cause I needed it so much!!! Love Angela

  6. Hayley says:

    This was refreshing to hear that I’m not the only one and that HE IS ALWAYS GOOD! HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

  7. Nancy says:

    As I walk through the valley of the ‘shadow’ of death…..In order for there to be a ‘shadow’ there has to be a ‘light’ ~ Jesus is the light! We are never alone!

  8. Michael says:

    Hi I keep coming back to your posts blog to get encouragement, I am 44years old and have been battling depression on and on for 10 years. your journey articulation has of late (found your blog a couple of day ago) given me some hope. I have seen several doctors had tests done had drastic treatment for depression done, but it still comes and goes. this post is where I’m at right know. God where are you, if feel numb lost hurt and in pain. thanks for posting your journey I will be back for more encouragement God breaths

    • We are praying for you as you walk through this journey, and we are thankful to know you are seeking the medical attention this circumstance requires! Depression and anxiety are serious battles to fight, and it is so essential that we are armed with the community and support we need to walk forward one day at a time. Praying for you in this season, friend. God is faithful!

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