Psalm 23:4 and other wise words

Wise words from Jill Hisack of pastoral care.  Pray with hands open and up. Up and open - give Him what is on my mind.  Give Him my praise, my pain, my requests.  But - leave my hands open to receive what He places in my hands.  Everything in my life is filtered through Him.  I need to trust that what is placed in my hands is for my good.  Trust....
Isaiah 64:8 - I am the clay.  I have the decision to make - a Christian can be hard clay or soft clay.  If I choose to be hard clay He has no opportunity to mold me.  If I am soft clay, He can work with me and make me the woman He designed me to be.  When He knit me in my mother's wound-He had plans for me and my life.  (For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you...)  But if I am not soft clay - trusting clay He can't mold me into the person He planned.

Psalm 23:4 - Jennifer Rothschild -
My amplified version: 
Yea though I am going on foot through a low area, where there is a dark area of ominous oppressiveness, sadness, and gloom causing unpleasant emotions - and I am full of the belief that there is something dangerous -something profoundly wicked - I WILL BE OK.

My personal prayer of comfort -
You Lord do as you want - you have all power and authority.  I Trust YOU! I will not despise your discipline.  Teach me your law because you love me.  Lord, fight for me.  I will be still! Fight for me - give me victory.  Lord you are good, you are my refuge, you care for me in my time of trouble! If you are for me, who can be against me? I WILL TRUST YOU.

Notes from video
3 Valleys we go through
1.  Valley of Baca - weeping, grief, & sadness - Psalm 84:5-6.  This grief can zap your strength - zap you physically & emotionally. 
Admit weakness - life hurts and don't try and deny it.  We are just passing through this valley - it is a pilgrimage.  Being honest about hurts leads to intimacy with the Shepherd

2.  Valley of Elah - battle - 1 Samuel 17
When we are in the valley of battle, can forget who the enemy is - Remember - battles belong to the Lord. 
Risks in this battle: 
1 Sam. 17:16 - taunting - (Israelites taunted 40 days - I have been in this for 46 days)
1 Sam. 17:28 - we can attack each other - be mean and ugly (moments with Christy)

1 Sam. 17:47 - The reality is the battle is the Lord's

STAND STILL in this battle - Let the Lord battle for you - Exodus 14:14 - Psalm 46:10

3. Valley of Achor - deep trouble and can be during shame.  Joshua 7
Look for the door of hope to change everything.  Focus prayer - Hosea 2:15, Isaiah 65:10 - A place of rest -

And always remember...a shadow can not hurt me - where there is a shadow - there must be light.