We’re going on a bear hunt…

“We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one. I’m not scared, what a beautiful day!”

A popular children’s story, That shares the story of a family going on a bear hunt and facing various obstacles on the way. Long wavy grass, a river, a dark forest. Each time, they realise they can’t go over it, or under it. They have to go through it.

Uh-uh! 
Grass! 
Long wavy grass. 
We can’t go over it. 
We can’t go under it. 
Oh no! 
We’ve got to go through it! 
Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy! Swishy swashy!

And there’s a lesson for all of us – it’s the same with life. Trials and hardship can come our way and the only way to the other side is through it. That might feel like a harsh reality. But no matter our circumstances, Jesus is there with us, beside us as we go through.

“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” (Ps. 23:4, ESV).

In order for there to be a shadow, there also must be a light. And that light is Jesus. He walks in the valley with us and we are not alone.

“Fear sees only the dark of the valley. Faith sees the light of the shepherd.” (Jenn Rothschild)