Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Two weeks after Churchill became Prime Minister, France was overrun by occupying forces and 340,000 British troops had to scramble over the beaches at Dunkirk. All of Europe had succumbed to Hitler’s forces and it looked impossible that Britain would survive.
However instead of giving up in defeat Churchill delivered his now famous speech to rouse the hope and courage of a nation. He said, “we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” He may have been going through “hell” but he refused to stop there.
Churchill’s plan for success was simple: Complete and total defiance against the enemy. He believed we must, “never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.”
In the face of seemingly impossible odds and the threat of enemy invasion Churchill’s voice and belief emanated a calming, immovable strength that inspired, motivated and ignited courage.
He quite simply refused to see that giving in to an enemy army or even his own fears was an option. Faced with one of his nations darkest valley’s he chose to not stop in this “valley of death”, but to walk through it! He boldly declared that, “fear is a reaction, but courage is a decision – and that it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Right now I want to encourage you that if you, or someone you know is walking through the valley of the shadow of death – the darkest valley you have ever faced, don’t camp out there, don’t be paralysed by fear. Do not stay in that valley! Walk through it!
Miracles happen as we walk – as we put “legs on our faith”, and take what God has promised and refuse to give in. Jesus said we would have these valley’s (these trials and tribulations), but He also said to walk through them with courage, for He is with us and His presence and His provision will strengthen and comfort us.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (the darkest valley) I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:4)
Today determine in your heart and mind that you will continue to walk through whatever you may be facing. God is with you and therefore, “who can stand against you”. Lift your expectations and determine that, you’re not going to only survive your darkest valley, you’re going to thrive”. (Psalm 23:5; Romans 8:31)
‘You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” (Psalm 23:5)
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Prayer: Lord thank you that you are with me when I walk through the darkest of valley’s. Thank you for your strength and courage to keep going, and please help me to fix my eyes on you as I walk through the valley’s into victory. In Jesus name Amen.