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
These past 2 weeks have been difficult for my entire family. Just last Monday on the 18th, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer, and my dad is on the borderline for stomach cancer if he doesn’t start taking care of himself. As an only child who is very close to my mom, I became extremely upset and stressed. My dad didn’t take it any easier than I did, and it didn’t help that he was extra busy with work and I just started my second semester in college. This family crisis came at the worst time possible.
My mom knew it would be a difficult time for me, and she encouraged me to read the bible and get closer to God, because in the end, I would need Him. She was right. I knew that in times like these, only God could bring our family strength, peace, and healing. I started reading the bible again where I left off, and the words of God truly brought me out of despair into hope. Psalm 21 and 22 talked about how David went through hard times himself, but when he trusted in the Lord, God answered his prayers and gave him victory over his enemies. What an encouragement this was to me!
But for the day of my mom’s surgery, God especially prepared for me just the words I needed: Psalm 23 – reassurance that He was our family’s shepherd, and that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is still by our side, comforting us. I thank the Lord and praise Him for His guidance and faithfulness, even when we weren’t.