The valley is valuable. But only if you walk through--not run through--knowing that God has a purpose for everything that touches you. Because if you move too fast in the valley, it becomes impossible to be steadfast in the valley. And being steadfast is ultimately what we need. What is steadfast you ask? It's knowing that steady heeding Jesus is the fastest way to peace. Being steadfast is the quickest way to hear God's still voice through the valley's moving breeze. So let us walk through knowing that God has a purpose for everything in the valley that He allows to touch you. Don't believe that? That's fine, I'll go first. But please use these steps that, by God grace, are proven to work. I walk through this affliction’s shadow. Shaded. I walk through knowing that a shadow cannot harm me. Guarded. I walk through with balanced steps. Calculated."Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4).I fear no evil, not because there is no evil to fear.  But I fear no evil because my Shepherd is always near. Jesus swallowed up the blow of death, leaving nothing but its shadow. When’s the last time you were afraid of a shadow touching you?  And when in the Son of heaven-- in Christ--there is no shadow to fear on earth. He shines down His radiance on our afflictions, so that we may walk through with confident convictions.“For You are with me” (Psalm 23:4).He is with me, so I walk through. And I walk through knowing He is with me. Running only tripped me in times past. Skipping only snared me with prides blast. So I walk lowly and slowly, which is what I call steadfast. In this valley called earth, the shadow of death cannot touch what heaven called to birth. Born again means born from above, so I walk through because I feel my Shepherds love.His light shines behind me and illuminates the path below me. His love is within me so that I do not have to fear the hate of the world around me. I walk through this valley knowing that heaven's army truly surrounds me. I walk through. And you can too.