One of the most common objections to Christianity sounds something like this: “If God is good, why is there suffering?”
Many Christians ask a related question: “If Jesus promised abundant life, why am I walking through a valley right now?”
There are so many valleys: cancer, depression, grief, betrayal, job loss, loneliness, the death of a loved one. When we find ourselves in a valley we assume it means something has gone wrong.
But Psalm 23 answers that question, not by denying suffering, not by explaining every hardship. But by revealing the presence of the Shepherd in the midst of the darkest valley. The abundant life offered by Jesus does not mean a painless life.
The Reality of the Valley
Psalm 23 contains some of the most comforting words ever written: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Green pastures. Still waters. Restored soul.
But then the scenery changes. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Notice what David doesn’t say. He doesn’t say the Shepherd keeps him out of every valley. He doesn’t say the Shepherd removes every danger. He doesn’t say life is always peaceful.
He says: “You are with me.”
The valley is real. The danger is real. The fear is real. But so is the Shepherd.
When Things Go Wrong
Many assume that when suffering enters their lives, something has gone wrong. In one sense, they’re right. Something has gone wrong. The world is not as God intended it to be. Scripture teaches that creation, itself, has been fractured by sin. Death wasn’t part of God’s original design. Disease was not part of God’s original plan. Neither were violence, injustice, grief, and suffering.
We live in a world that has been wounded by humanity’s rebellion against God. And, every one of us has contributed to that brokenness.
Now, that does not mean we are personally responsible for every hardship we experience. Some suffering does arise from our own sinful choices. Some comes from the sinful choices of others. Much suffering comes because we live in a fallen world.
The question isn’t whether the world is broken. The question is whether God is present within its brokenness.
Psalm 23 answers with a resounding “Yes!”
The Shepherd’s Presence
One of the most beautiful details in Psalm 23 is easy to miss. Before the valley, David talks about God. “He leads me… He restores me… He guides me.”
But once he enters the valley, David begins speaking directly to God. “You are with me… Your rod and your staff comfort me.” The language becomes personal. The valley doesn’t drive David away from God. It drives him deeper into God’s presence.
Many believers can testify to this. There are things we learn about the faithfulness of God in dark valleys we could never learn in green pastures. Not because suffering is good. It isn’t. But because God is present even there and God is good.
The Groaning Creation
Paul describes the creation in Romans 8 as groaning. Creation groans. Humanity groans. Believers groan. The entire world aches for redemption.
Christianity doesn’t teach that faithful people are exempt from suffering. Rather, it teaches that God is at work even in suffering.
Paul writes: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28 ESV).
Notice what he doesn’t say. He doesn’t say all things are good. Cancer is not good. Abuse is not good. Death is not good. Loss is not good.
But God is able to work redemptively even through the deepest, darkest valleys. The Shepherd isn’t absent from our suffering. He’s actively working within it.
Jesus Promises Trouble
Perhaps the most overlooked promise Jesus ever made appears in John 16.
“In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33b ESV).
He didn’t say you might have tribulation, but you will. Jesus never promised his followers an easy road. But he did promise his presence and he promised us his victory.
He said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b-c ESV).
The Christian hope is not that valleys disappear. The Christian hope is that the Shepherd has overcome everything that makes the valley dark.
The Shepherd Who Entered the Valley
Ultimately Psalm 23 points us to Jesus. The Good Shepherd didn’t remain distant from human suffering. He entered it. He experienced rejection, betrayal, injustice, physical agony, and death itself. He walked into the deepest valley imaginable.
And because he did, Christians can never say God is indifferent to suffering. Jesus bears the scars. The risen Christ still carries the marks of his wounds. The one who walks beside us in the valley is the one who has already passed through death and emerged victorious.
Living in the Valley
When you find yourself in a valley, don’t imagine God has abandoned you. Don’t assume abundant life has disappeared. Don’t conclude suffering is evidence that your faith has failed.
Instead remember the promise of Psalm 23. The Shepherd may not immediately remove you from the valley. But he never abandons you in it.
The valley isn’t the destination. It’s not the end of the story. And it’s never walked alone.
The Goal
The goal of Psalm 23 is not certainty in the path. It’s confidence in the Shepherd. The sheep can’t always see what lies ahead. Neither can we. But we can know who’s leading.
And that’s enough.
Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/Wpj9_6F9BfU
Flourishing Life 
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