That None Should Perish

August 19, 2026

Before we start, I am aware of the other types of valleys mentioned in the Bible, but we are going to focus on one specific valley that I have personally been through. I changed the name as it is actually, just one valley, The Valley of Darkness/Healing.

Earlier we talked about doubt and how it can debilitate a believer if we let it become a habit. Let’s look at the different types of doubt first. There are 3 main types of doubt for believers but I want to focus on the first one.

1. Emotional, caused by hurt and pain, tragedy or unanswered prayers.
2. Volitional. Hesitation tied to the will, obedience and/or a divided committment.
3. Intellectual. You doubt the facts or history. These will be discussed at another time.

We are going to focus on the first one, emotional, or those caused by actual physical pain and what it is like when traveling through that valley. Emotional and physical pain go together and it takes time to heal. There is no set time limit on healing. It can take anywhere from a week to months or even longer. You are not sinning, you are processing and it takes time.

But please do not make the mistake that when you are hurting that you have to hide it. There are people out there that can help you process it. Some people are capable of processing their emotions fairly quickly and don’t go through the valley.

The valley doesn’t appear automatically. It actually is a process reserved for those who cannot handle the emotional and physical pain as it just too much for them. It is okay to sit with it, that is not a sin.

When it starts to become a sin is when you refuse to let the pain go. When it becomes familiar to you. When it starts to act like a friend. When you cannot live without the pain and it becomes a crutch. It is a sin when you begin to treasure that hurt or feeling more than your faith.

There are multiple different ways to enter the valley of healing, either through a tragedy, emotional hurt from family or friends, and yes, even unanswered prayers. Sometimes you don’t know that you are in that valley as you are possibly confused, tired and just unable to understand what just happened to you. But they all have the same root reason, doubt that has crippled you emotionally and you wonder what went wrong and you doubt not just yourself but your beliefs.

That is when the valley appears. That is where Jesus meets you at your lowest point, when you think that your sin is greater than Jesus’ love for you. That doubt makes you wonder about everything. Why am I doubting? Am I sinning by doubting? That is when Doubt starts to become deadly, when you cannot forgive yourself and you refuse to allow Jesus to heal you. But you don’t have to forgive yourself, Jesus already has forgiven you. His grace is greater than anything, even Doubt.

Coming into the valley of darkness/healing can be scary at first. I call it that as it is very dark, hard to see anything, but at the same time, quiet and inviting. Please do not fear the valley as some view it as a punishment. It is not a punishment. It is an invitation to sit at His feet and take in His love, mercy and grace.

He is not judging you. He is allowing you the grace you need to think. He is meeting you there so that He can peel away the hurt, pain, guilt and the weight of your pain. Remember, Jesus will meet you in your highs and lows, if you will just allow Him. Unlock that secret little door where all of your pain is hidden and let Him in.

Just imagine standing in the dark, wondering what just happened, stunned, angry, upset, and feeling emotionally hurt. I doubted myself. I doubted God and wondered why He let this happen. I was angry and upset at everyone! But because I was a leader in the church, I had to act like I was okay when I wasn’t. I retreated into that valley as I wanted to hide and be alone. Thankfully, I had a few good friends who helped me through it, and I was able to work through it to the point where I was able to talk to God again.

When I was able to open up to Jesus about the pain, He was there even though at times I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel that it was important enough to bring that to Him. I was embarrassed. I was mad. Mad at myself and at Jesus. I didn’t think it mattered or that He would care. I thought, “How did that happen? Why?” And mad at myself for thinking that.

That was the beginning of the valley, dark like a cocoon where I could hide. I wanted to hide and stay inside that cocoon and nurse my feelings, too angry and embarrassed to come out. Where I could work my way out of the cocoon when I wanted to. On my time, my terms. Yes, I admit it, I was pouting like a spoiled child.

He never condemned me for my doubt or the pain. He listened to me and held me close and I started to emerge from the cocoon that I had wrapped myself in. It is a process, letting go and sometimes, I admit it, I didn’t want to come out.

And as I started to feel better about myself, He talked to me, encouraged me to get out of the cocoon as it wasn’t what He wanted for me. He took that pain, the guilt, shame, anger and all of the negativity that I was carrying, and forgave me. That is when the healing started to transform me.

The burden was gone. The doubt was gone. It was all replaced by Him with a new spirit of freedom to do what He wants of me. It changed my life completely. Sure I do remember it, but it is hazy, just an old memory that means that I am safe and the past has been forgotten.

But this comes with a warning too. It is a reminder to forgive as He has forgiven us. It is not an excuse to keep reminding yourself of what happened and to open up an old wound that has already been healed. LEAVE IT ALONE. HE FORGAVE YOU.

When I came out of it, I could see a light at the end of the tunnel, dim but shining brightly. If you were to ask me how long I was there in the valley, I couldn’t tell you exactly as it felt like an eternity but maybe it was just a few weeks. You lose track of time in the valley. It felt like being inside a mummy’s wrapping, but as I walked through it with Jesus at my side, the wrappings fell away, bit by bit until a new me emerged. That is what it feels like when you have been reborn, renewed and forgiven and given a new purpose for your life.

That is the main reason I will not renounce my faith, His faith in me and knowing that He loves me despite myself!