The title of this devotional is from the words of a song I’ve been listening to lately.  It’s been a great encouragement to me as I walk through a “valley of a shadow.”  

Like this runner,  we can’t stop when the shadows of doubts and discouraging words pop up in our minds.  Our emotions and feelings are super loud and annoying shadows, especially when we are pushing through to a goal that we so very much want up accomplish. Perhaps you have walked or are walking through a shadow of some kind in your life right now. That is part of life. 

We must never forget that God is the One cheering us on. Just like a proud parent or a faithful friend, He wants us to succeed.  The challenge is that we have to “listen” carefully to His voice, which can be very still and quiet in our hearts at times.  Remember, His love is not rude.  He whispers and suggests sweetly to us the way that we should go. 

Each day we must get up and run towards the victory we desire with hope and expectation.  Then, we must be ready to jump over those obstacles, which we all know are always popping up to discourage and distract us from our goals.  We must keep going until the victory is won!

Diligence and consistency are key. They may not be easy, but necessary,  If we are not diligent we won’t ever go much more than where we are right now.  And, while the Holy Spirit is the One who helps us, He needs something to work with. So, we have to do our part! I’m preaching to myself right now, but you know it’s true too. 

I personally want to move forward past the place I am right now in certain areas.  I find the same obstacles popping up over and over again and it can get frustrating, but I believe I have this promise,

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you…

And He does!❤️

But notice the second part of this promise.  I think this is definitely part of the reason I’m not where I want to be, yet. 

…Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭32:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬.

God is not rude or forceful.  He will never make us do anything against our own will. He instructs us on the right path but, we ultimately are the ones who choose. 

Sometimes I’m (stubborn) like a mule.  Although I have the knowledge of what to do, I still make wrong choices.

God is also our loving Coach. He tells us what to do for our own good. If we listen and obey, we win!   

These simple instructions… help us go in the right directions:

Go outside
Walk
Breath
Rest
Be thankful 
Eat healthier

We need nourishment for our organs, blood, cells, brain and the trillion of microbiomes to work effectively to help us not get sick physically or emotionally. That’s why we must eat foods that God made to strengthen our bodies, inside and out.  Not just for us to look a certain way. 

“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

Genesis‬ ‭1:29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

‭‭So, be encouraged! Just as shadows eventually fade, so will our anxieties and uncertainties as we trust in His promises.

I pray that you will find victory in all you set out to do this week. May God’s favor follow after you and give you the peace that chases away all shadows. Amen.