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Life has its peaks—but it also has its valleys.

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture, and for good reason. It speaks with poetic beauty about the Lord as our Shepherd, our Protector, and our Provider. But verse 4 takes us somewhere unexpected—into the dark.

David writes about “the valley of the shadow of death,” and in doing so, he doesn’t sugarcoat life’s painful moments. He names them. He walks through them. And more importantly—he shows us how to walk through them too.

1. The Valley Is a Real Place

Did you know that in Israel, there is actually a place historically known as “The Shadow of Death”? It’s a narrow, steep, and dark canyon near Jerusalem, surrounded by tombs. The sun barely touches the floor of this valley—only shining in for a few brief minutes when directly overhead.

It’s believed this is the very path David may have fled through during Absalom’s rebellion. It’s also likely the valley Jesus passed through on His way from Galilee to Jerusalem before the crucifixion. It’s not just poetic imagery—it’s a real place.

And isn’t that true of our valleys too? They’re not hypothetical. They’re not exaggerated. They're real. Valleys of sickness, anxiety, addiction, depression, betrayal, loss, or financial ruin. The terrain may vary, but the shadows feel just as dark.

2. Valleys Are Inevitable

Jesus said it plainly in John 16:33 (NKJV): “In the world you will have tribulation…” Not might. Not maybe. You will.

Somehow, we’ve bought into the false idea that following Jesus exempts us from difficulty. But the Bible is filled with faithful people who endured real pain. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT), “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”

Valleys aren’t punishments—they’re part of the journey.

3. Valleys Are Unpredictable

Like Jeremiah cried out: “Suddenly my tents are plundered!” (Jer. 4:20 NKJV)
Trouble often arrives unannounced. No one ever schedules tragedy. I saw this firsthand during my years as a paramedic—no one plans for the worst day of their life.

But while valleys may surprise us, they never surprise God.

4. Valleys Are Impartial

Jesus said in Matthew 5:45 that God causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. No one gets a “get out of hardship free” card. Not even Jesus was spared the cross.

So while our hardships may feel unfair—they’re not unusual.

5. Valleys Are Temporary

David didn’t say, “I live in the valley.”
He said, “I walk through the valley…”

That word through is key. Valleys are pit stops, not permanent addresses. You may be in a dark place now, but don’t unpack your bags—keep walking.

God’s promise isn’t to keep you from the valley. His promise is to walk with you through it.

6. Valleys Aren’t Void of God’s Presence

In fact, some of the deepest awareness of God comes in the valley.

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you…”
—Isaiah 43:2 NLT

Sometimes it takes a valley for us to really hear His voice. You ever notice how sound echoes louder in a canyon than on a mountaintop? God may lead you into the valley to amplify His whisper.

And when you walk beside someone who’s strong—your posture changes. You walk with more confidence. I once knew a special ops soldier who could take down an enemy with a pinky (true story). I walked taller just being beside him.

That’s the picture David paints here:
“I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

This is the turning point in Psalm 23. David moves from talking about God (“He leads… He restores…”) to talking to God (“You are with me”). The valley created deeper intimacy.

7. Valleys Reveal Shadows

Notice it’s not the “valley of death,” but the valley of the shadow of death. That’s different.

Here’s what we know about shadows:

  • A shadow is always bigger than the object creating it.

  • A shadow can’t hurt you.

  • You can’t have a shadow without light.

That last point is powerful. A shadow proves that there’s light nearby. If you’re in the shadow, turn your eyes—the Light is still there.

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12)
Death is just a shadow because Jesus already took the full weight of it on the cross.

Charles Spurgeon once said,

“The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us.”

8. Valleys Are Purposeful

There’s always a reason for the valley. It’s where our faith is forged and our character is shaped.

Rick Warren puts it this way:

“God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way.”

We’re justified the moment we accept Jesus—but God continues to sanctify us through every season. The valley is not about punishment—it’s about progress.

Scripture agrees:

  • “These trials will show that your faith is genuine.” (1 Peter 1:7 NLT)

  • “Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete…” (James 1:2–4)

And sometimes, the only path from one mountaintop to the next is through the valley below. My brother and I hiked Tent Ridge here in Alberta—each higher peak required us to descend first.

No valley, no summit.

Even nature preaches this: fruit doesn’t grow on mountaintops. It grows in the valley—where the water collects, where the soil is rich, where life is nourished. Mountaintops are for vision. Valleys are for growth.

Psalm 84:6–7 (NLT) says:

“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs... They will continue to grow stronger.”

Final Thought: Don’t Stop Walking

If you’re in a valley right now—don’t stop.
Don’t turn around.
Don’t set up camp in the shadows.
Keep walking.

The valley is not the end of your story—it’s the setup for your next mountaintop.

We all crave mountaintop moments, but God cultivates fruit in the valley.
The mountain may inspire you—but the valley will mature you.

So lean on your Shepherd. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He’s with you. He’s for you. And He’s guiding you through.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

What’s your valley right now?
Name it. Face it. Walk through it—with Him.

You won’t stay there.
There’s light ahead.
Keep walking.