“Mom, is it dark in there?” Will timidly asked as he peered through the shadowed hallway of our house. I shook my head, yes. Moving both hands in front of him in a military-style motion, he replied, “Will you help me walk through it?” Struck by his question, I responded, “Of course I will.”

Many nonbelievers and Christians alike still struggle with the age-old question, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” The truth is in the Word of God, demonstrated by my sweet four-year-old. Psalm 23:4 says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” The Lord cannot keep evil out of a world when humanity chose to let it in, but He promises to help us through the darkness.

Ironically, I’m writing as I’m sitting at the foot of Will’s bed, making sure I’m here if he needs me. (He has thrown up a couple times tonight.) I can’t be sick for him, but I’m here with him to help him through it. (Jesus did take Will’s sickness for him, but that’s a post for a different night. Stay tuned.)

The Lord promises to be with us, too.

Cry out to Him when you’re in trouble. He hears you, and He will show Himself—maybe in a way that’s not what you asked for or imagined. He almost never shows up the way we want Him to—but He will. He is good, He always does good, and He always works everything together for your good (Romans 8:28).

If you’re walking through something dark this holiday season, take heart. He is with you.

Love and hugs,

Cristy