God In The Darkest Valley
Written By Claudio Garcia
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Two years ago, I was at the lowest point in my life. While I had committed not to reach for alcohol as a coping mechanism, I was still depressed with a heart full of bitterness and anger, believing people wanted me to fail. My workload was overwhelming and arguments with my wife were common. I remember one particular moment distinctly. We were in the kitchen after a stressful day at work. I was angry. My chest was tight and my bottled feelings were weighing me down. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. In a heated moment, I exploded, and I will never forget the words my wife exclaimed.
“Satan has a hold of you!”
Satan used my bitterness, anger, and pride to isolate me: I wanted to be alone. My relationships were broken. The thoughts in my head were constantly pushing me away from people I knew, especially the ones I loved. When I disagreed with co-workers, I thought I don’t need you. I’ll do it myself. My daughters wanted to play and I wouldn’t give them the time or attention they needed.
I was at a loss and my depression had taken over. It felt like I had a rock in my chest. Panic brought me to prayer.
“Lord, help me breathe. Just let me breathe right now. That’s all I am asking.”
God answered.
Right away I was filled with air. My mind was clear. I had peace. That moment pushed me toward God in a way I had never felt before.
He brought me out of my isolation. I was filled with a hunger for Him. I threw myself into my Bible and built a relationship with God. Through a growing foundation with God, my relationships began to change.
Since then, it has been a lot easier to talk to people. I opened myself up and made new friends. I made amends with co-workers. I spend more time with my daughters and cherish our moments together. My marriage is stronger and easier. I speak to my wife with more love and see her as my teammate.
When I reached for God in my deepest moment of anger and hurt, He met me. Without knowing how to ask, He refreshed my soul. His rod and His staff guided me out of my anger and into peace of mind and body.
“Satan has a hold of you!”
Satan used my bitterness, anger, and pride to isolate me: I wanted to be alone. My relationships were broken. The thoughts in my head were constantly pushing me away from people I knew, especially the ones I loved. When I disagreed with co-workers, I thought I don’t need you. I’ll do it myself. My daughters wanted to play and I wouldn’t give them the time or attention they needed.
I was at a loss and my depression had taken over. It felt like I had a rock in my chest. Panic brought me to prayer.
“Lord, help me breathe. Just let me breathe right now. That’s all I am asking.”
God answered.
Right away I was filled with air. My mind was clear. I had peace. That moment pushed me toward God in a way I had never felt before.
He brought me out of my isolation. I was filled with a hunger for Him. I threw myself into my Bible and built a relationship with God. Through a growing foundation with God, my relationships began to change.
Since then, it has been a lot easier to talk to people. I opened myself up and made new friends. I made amends with co-workers. I spend more time with my daughters and cherish our moments together. My marriage is stronger and easier. I speak to my wife with more love and see her as my teammate.
When I reached for God in my deepest moment of anger and hurt, He met me. Without knowing how to ask, He refreshed my soul. His rod and His staff guided me out of my anger and into peace of mind and body.
Reflective Question
for the Day
Was there a time you felt God meet you in your darkest valley?
How did He lead you out of that valley?
Claudio’s favorite Christmas tradition is getting Starbucks and walking around Candy Cane Lane to look at the lights. The tradition started when he was dating his wife and now he gets to enjoy the experience with his daughters as well. He loves to play video games on his PlayStation when he has a day off and nothing to do. His favorite movie of 2024 is, hands down, Deadpool & Wolverine. He grew up reading Marvel comics as a child, so he enjoyed watching them come to life on screen.