Everyone has to walk through dark valleys in life. It's unavoidable. The good news for the believer is that they don't have to walk through those valleys alone. Knowing that the Good Shepherd is near gives us confidence in spite of the valley.

One of Jesus' close friends, Lazarus, became very ill. Lazarus' sisters sent word to Jesus that his dear friend was deathly ill, but Jesus delayed for two days before going to Lazarus' aid. During this time, Lazarus died and his sisters faced a crisis of faith. For Jesus, however, it was an opportunity to show the world that He has power over death.

Whenever we face suffering or hardship as a Christian, we have two choices. We can either step up or we can shrink back. However, as the writer of Hebrews said, "We are not of those who shrink back."

The foundation of a building is the most important part of the building. If the foundation is strong, the building will endure, but if the foundation is weak, the building will not stand. The same is true for us. If the foundation of our faith is strong, we will stand in times of storm. What is the foundation of your faith?

A desperate nobleman came to Jesus and begged Jesus to go home with him because his son was on death's door. Jesus healed the boy, but He didn't do it the way the nobleman expected Him to do it. The man had to exercise faith without sight.

When God made some incredibly massive promises to Abraham, he responded in faith and believed God. Abraham's faith teaches us some powerful lessons when it comes to living in authentic faith.