When the Way Is Hard
Pastor Calvin Cook
April 10, 2025
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
I recently had a melt down! One of those times when it seems as if the pressures of life, responsibilities, things to do, things I should have done and didn’t, allowing the voice of others to sneak into places they should be barred from. The strife, and everything else that gnaws at are at the very being of everything festers and boils up all at one time. I have become very good at allowing these things to just pass as part of life, go off by self, pray, and smooth the rough road over for time. However, this one was different. It was witnessed by Gail and caused her to think it was directed at her. It wasn’t and for that I am sorry. These melt downs are places that good and what is good collide with evil and duke it out. My hope and prayer are that good always wins, but in the middle of the melt down it always seems as if evil has it’s way.
The meltdown was followed by a long drive, which allowed me to sort stuff out and step into the place where I needed to be, a place where the Holy Spirit’s direction takes front and center and leads to the place where I need to be. While processing and searching for the quiet center and a balm to put over this deep wound, the words from Isaiah 43 and Psalm 23 kept flashing in my mind almost like a digital billboard.
In these seasons of life when the path gets steep, the night grows long, and every step forward feels uncertain, you find yourself wondering where God is. When everything around you feels heavy. One of the pieces of light and direction was where Isaiah 43 reminds us that God doesn’t promise to keep us from hard things—He promises to walk with us through them.
Notice the wording: “When you pass through the waters…” and “When you walk through the fire…” Not if, but when. Struggles will come. Trials are part of the journey. But the promise is that we do not go alone. In these times it is very important to not allow temptation and sin to enter in and claim a battle victory, but instead to be able to be a conqueror as 2 Timothy 4:7 proclaims “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”(ESV)
Psalm 23:4 echoes the same truth “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In the darkest valleys, in the moments when fear, doubt, loneliness, persecution, circumstances, etc. etc. etc. could easily take over, the Shepherd is present. God is not watching from afar— but right beside us, leading, guiding, comforting.
When the way is hard, remember: You are not forgotten. You are not alone. God is with you—through the deep, through the fire, through the valley. Through the meltdown leading you to a place that is described as lush green pastures beside quiet peaceful waters.
His presence is not a promise of an easy road, but a guarantee that the road will never be walked alone.
Pick up the rod and the staff that has been provided. Address your had way as not from God. There was nothing about my recent melt down(s) that was good or godly, but yet the Holy Spirit stayed with me, comforting, talking me through, pointing to what is important, raising someone to walk with me. In the shadow of darkness once again the light of Christ is brighter and overcomes all darkness.
A side note – to experience forgiveness and redemption there must be confession and receipt of forgiveness, and all that God wants to do. Many live their life without thinking they have anything to confess, this too will separate you from the one who wants to rescue you from the deep waters.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being with me in the fire, in the waters, and in the darkest valley. Help me trust You when the way is hard. Remind me that Your presence is my peace. Amen
Thoughts from the Edges 
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