Information Related to "Walking Through the Valleys of Life"
| Audio/Video |
| From the publisher of The Good News magazine. | |
 |
|
| Request this FREE booklet | |
| View booklet in PDF format | |
|
|
| Related Articles | |
| The Origin of Evil and Suffering | |
| Is Life Fair? | |
| Will God Forget the Dead? | |
| How to Comfort Your Children in Time of Need | |
| When Time and Chance Happen to You | |
| Why Does God Allow Disasters? | |
| Natural Disasters: A Biblical Perspective | |
King David wrote in Psalm 23 about walking through "the shadow of death." This is probably a metaphor for life's trials in general, though it also applies to a person facing his own death or the death of a loved one.
In this life we face trials. We are constantly exposed to a range of strains and stresses. However, we can call on several strategies to lessen the load. Here are a few effective steps:
Learn from trials and suffering.They can help us learn new skills. Jesus Christ learned by His difficult circumstances and experiences (Hebrews 5:8), and so can we.
Count your blessings. When we focus on pain, we often forget how good life has been to us. Paul said we should always be thankful (Philippians 4:6). He also explained that the result of giving thanks is a "peace which surpasses all understanding" (verse 7).
Don't be a prisoner of your suffering. Severe trials can cause emotional paralysis. We need to remain active because inactivity further devastates morale. Dr. Paul Brand, an expert on the subject of pain, said: "When I confront intense pain, I look for activities that will fully absorb me, either mentally or physically. I ... have found that conscious distraction and the discipline of activity can be helpful tools in combating pain" (Paul Brand and Philip Yancey, The Gift Nobody Wants, 1993, p. 254).
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "Walking Through the Valleys of Life"
Stress: