Sustaining through Valleys

Dericka Canada Cunningham, GBW Founder

September 22, 2025

This Week's Anchor

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

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As we continue to collectively wade through valleys of perpetual violence, division, and grief across our nation and globe, I hope that we find sustenance in moments where it matters. If there wasn’t a time that we needed the Holy Trinity before, we certainly need them now. This week’s devotion won’t be long because in moments like this, words can feel hard to gather, and truthfully, meaningless. Nevertheless, as we each navigate the layers of exhaustion and emotions, I find myself silently quoting this week’s anchor scripture and want to, at the least, share inspirations from it with you.

In this verse and the entire chapter of Psalm 23, the humble words of David provide us with reassuring comfort, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” What I like about this verse is that it doesn’t deny the valley one is in. It recognizes and names it while also honoring God’s presence in that very same valley. Growing up in the Christian faith, it often felt like folks had a quick answer to grief and trauma, like that which David seemed to navigate, and that which we usually find ourselves in. The message sounded something like, “Just trust God”, or “It happened for a reason”, or “They’re in a better place,” or “You’ll be stronger because of it”. Although there was truth beneath the words and the intention was likely to encourage, those quick answers, often poorly timed, felt dismissive. Yes, I trust God and will trust Him at the core of my soul, come what may, and also, feelings are okay. In fact, two (or multiple) things can be true at the same time: I can trust God while also feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and full of grief and despair. 

When I read this scripture, I think about the differentiation between the flesh and spirit/soul. From my perspective, the expression of not fearing that David mentions is in relation to the soul. Several old gospel songs reference the soul in this way (i.e., “My soul is resting”, “My soul is anchored”, “It is well with my soul”). We need not feel ashamed of the visceral emotions that we feel in our bodies because a physiological/psychological fear response is a natural part of being a human. Yet, when we are rooted and grounded in our relationship with God and invite His presence to comfort us amid our valleys, despite the fear and threat that our flesh perceives, in our innermost soul, we are not dismayed.  

As we enter another week with residual and what feels like ongoing and ever-present collective stress, I offer you simple words and sentiments that I wish were modeled for me growing up in my faith community:

• It’s okay to grieve and feel, and to not feel okay.

• Sometimes we thrive, and other times we survive and sustain.

• It’s okay not to understand how this could happen and ask God, “Why?”

• It’s okay to give yourself what you need right now and to be flexible if your needs change from moment to moment.

• It’s okay to connect with resources in addition to prayer, song, communion, devotion, and time with God.

Yesterday, I came across a beautiful South African Song (Ndikhokhele) that captured the essence of Psalm 23 and grounded me in a way that I truly needed. Some of the lyrics in both Xhosa and English (as translated on the post) sing:

Zundikhokhele

(Lead me, oh Lord)

Ezintsizini

(In all the sorrows of this world)

Bawo, Bawo, Bawo

(Father, Father, Father)

Bawo ndiyabonga

(Father, I thank you)

Ngoba usandigcinile

(For you still protect me)

We have the freedom to be whatever and whomever we are right now as we do the best we can, with what we have and where we are, all things considered. And just as Psalm 23 and the powerful message of Ndikhokhele remind us, we have a loving God who will guide us through even the darkest times. May the sustaining presence of God cover us all as we keep on keepin’ on.

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Reflection

• What resonates for you about this scripture and/or this devotion?

• What do you need from the Holy Trinity to help sustain you through these times of collective grief/concern?

• What intention(s) do you want to set to connect and/or reconnect with being grounded this week?

Related Scriptures to Ground You Through this Week

• Tuesday: Proverbs 3:5-6

• Wednesday: Isaiah 41:10

• Thursday: John 16:31-33

• Friday: Romans 8:26-30

• Saturday: Philippians 4:4-9

• Sunday: Revelation 21:3-4

My Through-the-Week Reflection Guide

5-31 Guide 9-22-25.pdf

Download PDF • 289KB

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A Song of Inspiration

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Quote of Love & Liberation

“Sometimes, survival is about navigating the thin line between rage and joy” Malebo Sephodi