#JESUS2019 - Daily DevotionalsSample

My daughter is awesome, kind, and has endless energy. However, her high energy level led to extremely rough nights in her first year. And she hardly knew what midday naps were. Her lack of sleep also affected me, causing me to be really exhausted some days. Sometimes I almost lost hope that this situation would ever change. So often I heard: “This is all just a phase.” But what if everything would remain this way?

In hindsight I can say that it really was just a phase! Today she sleeps well, and every morning I am still happy that I was able to sleep through another night.

Admittedly, this dark valley might be different from the valley you are currently going through. Maybe you have been going through your valley for many years. In any case, I want to encourage you today: don’t give up hope! The valley has a beginning, but also an END!

In the Orient, a shepherd would lead his sheep from one lush meadow to the next. Often dark and deep valleys lay between these lush meadows. The shepherd's task was to lead all his sheep on a safe path through this valley. The most important thing was that the sheep trusted their shepherd and felt safe near him. When they were in danger of straying from the path, the shepherd was able to correct his sheep’s path with his staff. The staff provided the sheep with security, because the shepherd guided them with it.

If you are going through a dark valley at the moment, raise your eyes and look up to Jesus, your shepherd. Put him in charge. Listen to his voice, follow his staff. He knows the way to the next lush meadow. And when you are over the worst, remember that you did not get there by yourself. Valleys in life can be very tricky. Don’t try to get out of this valley on your own strength, but keep close to the heels of your shepherd. You are not alone!

ACTION STEPS: 

1. Listen to the song “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells.

2. Set a daily alarm clock in your mobile phone with the sentence “I am with you, even today. Jesus.”

Miriam Hilliger – ICF Berlin