Comfort in the Darkest of Valleys

With the second semester of the program lying upon us, uncertainties about the future lie

ahead. In the program, we have a community of Christlike leaders with a network of mentors,

business professionals, and Fellows to share our spiritual thoughts and struggles and help us

cope with the uncertainties about life after the Fellows.

At the start of January, we embarked on our silent retreat. This retreat reminded me to trust in

the Lord through all the times of anxiousness and uncertainty. The silent retreat was an escape to hear the voice of the Lord while being silent for a weekend without technology. We’ve worked on meditations from the passage Psalm 23.

Psalm 23: 1-4 CSB

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads

me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s

sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod

and your staff – they comfort me.”

This was the passage we meditated on throughout the retreat. The last verse in the passage

spoke to me the most during this retreat. Throughout my anxieties, I needed to remind myself

that God is with me which adds comfort in my future uncertainties. I need to run to God as He

describes sheep running to their shepherd to rest. After the retreat, I leaned on the Fellows for help and guidance in coping with these uncertainties. I’ve maintained spiritual habits, such as reading the Bible first thing in the morning to spend time in God’s word. I’ve learned to trust God and that He is a comforter, not one who causes anxiety. I’ve learned to turn to Him with my anxious thoughts and ask Him for comfort and peace, for He will provide comfort in the darkest of valleys.

--Ava Jade Moore, Class of 2025