The Light of God Opens Doors
One of my favorite prayers is Psalm 23. Its words have been my companion through joy and through struggle. I whisper them every night before bed—and sometimes during the day, when I need strength. My daughter, Christy, learned it by heart too, and we used to recite it together in the car on our way to school or errands.
It begins like this:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.
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.”
There’s something profoundly reassuring about those words. Every time I pray them, I feel my confidence in Jesus’ return. Because no matter how lost I may feel—like a boat drifting in a storm—Jesus is always there. My job is not to control the waves, but to stop resisting His hand. When I surrender and whisper, “Jesus, I trust in You,” peace begins to replace fear.
Just as Psalm 23 says, when we walk through dark valleys, the Shepherd’s staff guides our steps safely through the shadows.
I’ve had many valleys in my life—moments when the path ahead seemed completely blocked. There were professional frustrations, conflicts with colleagues, and family trials that tested my endurance. Yet, none of these compared to the time when my daughter Christy was diagnosed with cancer at just six years old. That was my darkest valley.
As a father, I had to carry a heavy cross—keeping faith alive, holding the family together, and helping Christy fight her battle with courage. During those nights of tears and confusion, I learned that life can change direction in an instant. One day it flows peacefully, and the next, it turns into a maze of sorrow, broken dreams, and uncertainty.
And yet, through every labyrinth of pain, there is always a door—a way out. That door is faith.
Jesus never forces His way into our lives. He waits, like a gentleman, for us to open our hearts. When we trust Him completely, miracles begin to unfold. Still, how can we see the light if our eyes are fixed on the darkness? When we focus on our fears, we become blind to the gentle glow of God’s presence. The shadows of pain—ignorance, sin, and despair—can only fade when we lift our gaze toward God’s light.
The Bible is full of promises for those who choose to walk toward that light:
Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”
Isaiah 60:1 – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness.”
Each verse is a reminder that light and darkness cannot coexist. When the light of God enters, fear must leave. Faith transforms us.
In Ephesians 5:8, we read: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” That light doesn’t just guide us—it illuminates us from within.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts.” Ultimately, that light leads us to the greatest promise of all: eternal life.
Revelation 21:23 describes it beautifully: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
So, if you’re struggling right now—if life feels too heavy, too dark, or too uncertain—take one step forward in faith. Stop demanding that God do things your way. He sees what you cannot see. His plans are far greater; His light is far brighter.
Get up. Step out of your valley. Fix your heart and spirit on the Shepherd’s staff—on Jesus of Nazareth—and let Him lead you to peace.
And never forget to say, with all your heart: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
Fernando Dangond, MD, was born in Colombia, South America. He and his wife, Monica, live in Weston, MA, and have been blessed with two sons Daniel and David and a beautiful daughter, Christina (the inspiration behind Build the Faith) who left to be with the Lord 7 years ago.
Dr. Dangond, is a neurologist and scientist who works for a pharmaceutical company developing medicines to treat devastating neurological diseases.
