“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

(Isaiah 43:2 NLT)

With almost every writer came a story of walking through the shallows.

I wish I had the time and money to attend more than one writer’s conference each year, but unfortunately, I don’t. So, I stick with the one that takes me to the mountains of North Carolina. I am a managing editor for the website ministry that sponsors the conference.

Some years, I teach a class on writing devotions. But every year, whether I teach or not, I take appointments with budding writers who want to hone their craft of writing devotions or who want to pursue publication.

And every year, I am amazed by their journeys. Rarely do I meet a writer whose journey is not borne out of some affliction or hardship. Some have struggled with and overcome cancer. Others have written books that grew out of the abuse they suffered. Others’ writing comes from hard lessons learned in a long-time profession.

One year, I met a woman who owned two small jewelry stores—one in the small town where I pastored and the other in the city where I lived. Who could have figured? I was surprised, and she was perplexed. She had written a children’s book for her grandchildren and now wanted to publish a six-week Bible study on forgiving those who had sexually abused them. I gave her guidance and then became her editor.

Regardless of the situation, all these writers had walked through the shallows—the deep waters. I’ve never met anyone who said to God, “Bring it on, God. I’m ready for some more hard times.” Well . . . no one except Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump. He had a showdown with God.

Most of us face enough storms without asking God to send more. At least, I have. But I have learned that I learn more when I’m in the shallows than when life is easy. And knowing God walks with me through the shallows makes them easier to ford.

God has a purpose when He takes us through the shallows. We may never know it or see it until we have reached the other side and look back. Either way, God doesn’t take us there because He enjoys watching us suffer. Sin in the world and in others’ lives causes that. God just takes the bad and crochets something good from it.

So, when you walk through the shallows, don’t blame God. Instead, ask Him what He wants to teach you. The shallows always make us better when we reject bitterness. Father, hold my hand when I walk through the shallows so I won’t drown in the hardships of this world.

Martin Wiles