I love the book of Psalms. Like all good books, it has action, anger, remorse, fear and joy. Psalm 23 was the first one I ever memorized. I think I like it so much because it makes me feel safe. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” But sometimes the valley is not death.Each one of us faces so many challenges and hardships that you can walk though many valleys. It could be the valley of the shadow of divorce, or unemployment or disease. How many times have you been afraid of something, real or imagined?

But remember you are not alone. Hopefully each one of us has family and friends to turn to who will help us through the valley of shadows. And sometimes the valley of shadows can bring us to a deep understanding of ourselves and whatever higher power we believe in.

I have the gift of knowing a truly remarkable man blessed with great intelligence, amazing dedication and a tremendous capacity to live and love. Sadly, last January, his wife left him. That is his valley of shadows. Fortunately he has his career and a lot of friends to support him. He made the comment to me that he didn’t know if there was a God, but he was to the point of praying anyway. I found that statement so profound. For as long as I have known him, he has claimed not to be a spiritual person, although I have always thought he was, whether he believed in a high power of not. It was being in the valley of the shadow that has brought him to a place of spiritual growth, despite the pain.

No matter what your valley of shadows, don’t be afraid. Reach out to your family, friends and deep within yourself. Pray, meditate, walk in nature. Do whatever you need to do to find the strength in yourself and outside of yourself.