Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side.

One of the most interesting ice breaker questions is; what is your biggest fear? Spiders, snakes, and heights are all pretty typical responses. There’s another level of fears that many of us experience, but when breaking the ice it’s hard to have enough courage to mention them: the fear of failure, the fear of being alone, the fear of not being chosen, the fear of not being cared for.

These are real fears, and the anxiety that they raise up in our hearts are worth talking about. At some point when things get really heavy, everyone desires to be able to unload with a friend. As Christians, our sharing looks different though, because Jesus exists. He truly really exists in every moment, and no matter what feeling or situation arises we should remember Jesus is a part of it.

Imagine the fear of walking alone through a dark and damp tunnel; you’ve been walking long enough that the entrance has disappeared from your sight and you cannot yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. Will you ever make it? There’s a thousand fears that rush in about the safety of the tunnel, the amount of time it’ll take to walk through, who would come to help if something went wrong?

Every fear we experience can be like that image; but the psalm tells us that the Lord is at our side. Imagine the same scenario, dark damp tunnel with no light on either side but beside you is the person you trust the most, the person who has loved you despite all your weakness. It ceases to be so scary right? Sure, the unknown is still there and you’re still cautious but you can smile knowing that you aren’t stuck alone in the fear.

The Lord stands beside you always, grab His hand when you feel the fear begin to rise up. He is our shepherd, and He leads us to the place that will give us life. He provides for our hunger. He anoints us as chosen. He lavishes us in His love.

What if the green pastures that we long for are on the other side of a scary tunnel? Do you trust the One who stands beside you to lead you? You’ve known Him for quite some time and He has never let you down before. He is never leaving your side, especially when His beloved is afraid. The Lord is faithful, and with His grace, we too will be faithful even when we are afraid.

What are you afraid of? Take these fears to the Lord?

How do you invite the Lord into your fears? Do you trust that He is always there?

Do you trust Jesus? How can you increase your trust?

"​Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil”

“You are at my side."

"Jesus, I trust in you."

​"Lord I need you."

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Take stock of your fears. Take them to a friend you trust. Then, take them to your best friend, your most faithful friend, Jesus, in adoration.