The Truth About Shadows

[The Truth About Shadows](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Current Teaching Series [A Faith That Works When Life Doesn't: The James Series](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Listen to Today's Broadcast](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [The Truth About Shadows](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) By Rick Warren — June 26, 2020 [Facebook](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Twitter](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Pinterest](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Email](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Devotional image from Rick Warren](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) “Even 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 (ESV) One of the common sources of stress is loss. You can lose your job, your health, your money, your reputation, or a loved one. And the coronavirus pandemic is most likely amplifying the stress. When people go through loss, there are two common reactions. One is fear, and the other is grief. Grief is good. Grief is the way we get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will not kill you if you let it out. Fear, on the other hand, can be a bad thing. Not once in the Bible does it say, “Grieve not,” “Sorrow not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! Because grief doesn’t paralyze us, but fear does. In Psalm 23:4, David says, “Even 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” (ESV). David knew shepherds always carried a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. And he knew God had the power to protect him. So David trusted God, even in the darkest valleys. We’re collectively going through a dark valley right now, and we can choose to trust God—even in the shadows, where it doesn’t make sense and when it can seem like a long way out of the valley. But, here’s the good news to remember about big, scary shadows. You can’t have a shadow without light. If you see a shadow, that means there is a light shining nearby. So the key when you’re going through the valley of the shadow is to turn your back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as you keep your eyes on the light—Jesus, the Light of the World—the shadow won’t scare you. Just like David, trust God in the dark valleys, and pray, “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn” (Psalm 142:3 NLT). [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Talk About It - What are the shadows you’ve recently been facing? Why are they so daunting to you? - How can memorizing Scripture help you face the fears in your life? - Why do you think fear stresses people out? [Facebook](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Twitter](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Pinterest](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Email](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r [Get The Invisible War Scripture Box when you give a gift to support Daily Hope](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Every day, our faith is assaulted by the world’s values, our sinful nature, and forces of evil. But wielding God’s Word, you can find the wisdom to discern, the strength to endure, the grace to grow, and the power to fight and win this battle. And this set of 52 full-color Bible verse cards in a silver, vegan leather Scripture box can help you do that as you memorize God’s Word and use it as your offensive weapon against Satan’s attacks. [LEARN MORE](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Includes 8 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series The Invisible War. [LEARN MORE](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r [Series Summary](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Message 1: Real Faith Versus Fake Faith Message 2: A Faith That Loves My Neighbor as Myself Message 3: A Faith That Shows Respect to Everyone Message 4: A Faith That Leads to Emotional Health Message 5: A Faith That Stays Calm in a Crisis Message 6: A Faith That Anchors Me in a Storm Message 7: A Faith That Walks Through the Valley of the Virus Message 8: A Faith That Plants Seeds of Peace Message 9: A Faith That Isn't Troubled by Troubles Message 10: A Faith That Makes Tough Choices Easier Message 11: A Faith That Counters My Bad Habits [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r)[Twitter](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Instagram](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) [Linkedin](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book [The Purpose Driven Life](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book [The Purpose Driven Church](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded [The PEACE Plan](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r) to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. You can listen to Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope, his daily 25-minute audio teaching, and sign up for his free daily devotionals at [PastorRick.com](JyPjGKbNz:m:1:2618166767:D9315D076D208A9B387FCE185E41D0FA:r). © 2020 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below. This message was intended for: {EMAIL} You were added to the system December 23, 2016. For more information [click here](. [Unsubscribe](