Though I Walk Through the Valley

by Vance Havner

The year 1973 marked a very low point in the life of Vance Havner, America’s most quoted preacher. It was the year his beloved wife and companion of thirty-three years was struck down by a fatal and dreaded disease which distorted her lovely features and rendered her a helpless invalid. She departed this life to be forever with the Lord on September 2, 1973.Though I Walk Through the Valley is the chronicle of Vance Havner’s passage through the darkest valley of his life, the record of how his faith in God triumphed in the crucible of suffering and bereavement.Don’t expect these pages to be filled with time-worn clichés or pat answers. The book is written from the vantage point of one who has kept vigil alongside the hospital bed of his dying wife.People say things like, “I’m so sorry you’ve lost your wife.” Havner “Lost is not the right word for Christians divided by death. You haven’t lost anything when you know where it is!”People also say, “I know just how you feel,” to which Havner “People often try to sympathize, but you have to go through this to know what it is like. You cannot share by imagination or observation. You have been there or you haven’t.”“Now that she’s gone, do the best you can.” Havner “I want to do the best that Christ can do in me, exceedingly abundant above all I can ask or think.”

Genres: Religion, Devotional, Christian, Christian Living

114 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Noted Christian Writer. Vance Havner began writing the very first of his more than 40 books shortly after the start of his 70 year ministry. Vance's best known book, Though I Walk Through The Valley, details the loss of his beloved wife, Sarah. He was a dedicated evangelist who spoke locally at churches and nationally at conventions to large crowds and appreciative audiences. Billy Graham called Havner, "The most quoted preacher of the twentieth century." Through reading his books, thousands were led to experience God in a new and exciting way.

(From findagrave.com)

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This preacher and writer shares the record of his coping during the months of watching his invalid wife die from Cushing's Disease. As he says,"Only those who have traveled this road really know what the journey is like." Go on this journey with him and profit from the Christian experience.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyrighted in 1974, a man of faith writes a book about losing his wife to Cushing's Disease. It reads as a journal and is well written with sincerity and honesty. You feel his grief yet at the same time you rejoice with him as he chooses to keep his faith in God. He writes, "I cannot always trace His [God's] hand but I can trust His heart. And His heart directs His hand. If I trust the heart I need never question the hand. They never contradict each other."

[Dan Mingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not been through anything like the experiences of the author, but I would hope that if I ever do I would keep my eyes on Christ like he does. Great testimony of how to stay focused in trials and grief.

[Belinda Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have in every home.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot to glean out of this book. Here are the reasons I only gave it three stars:

1) It follows his journey of grief after losing his wife and follows themes of losing your help meet and struggling with aging alone. This is something I can't relate to in my season of life so a lot of it wasn't that relevant to me. But I think it would be really helpful to someone going through this season!

2) As I said, it follows his journey of grief. But that being said, it doesn't really have a theme like a typical book I would read. It's mostly two or three page chapters describing what he is feeling or going through at the moment and then giving a spiritual application or encouragement. So not a topical book or a book of study.

So all in all, it's a great book! It's just that it's not my preferred reading style and it wasn't a subject that I could personally relate to.

[Kendall Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little difficult to read. The author uses very traditional language at times that I am not used to, but other times, his writing is relatively laid back and relatable.

The overall message of the book was a good one and there were nuggets throughout that could be applicable to many different circumstances, however, I wish the author had included more anecdotes in his writing.

My favorite parts of the book were when he shared his real life memories with his late wife and there just weren’t enough of those moments.

[Neile]

After my husband died I read many books on grieving. Even took a 4 month grieving course. Nothing compared to this book. I felt he really felt the same pain & loss I was feeling, the same thoughts and questions. I read it through twice, highlighting and rewriting quotes into my journal. Highly recommended for the broken hearted. “Heaven means more and we fear death less, and the river beckons us instead of repelling us, because our heart is on the other side.”

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are not saved to be made happy but to be made holy. P 81
Lots of nuggets of encouragement written while missing his wife who died.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much goodness in this book. It would definitely be a balm to someone who's just experienced the death of a loved one, but even before that happens, there's a lot of good wisdom to absorb.

[F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent- particularly for those who have loved ones that have passed away.

[Kristin Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

We've had this book on our shelf for a long time. It may have belonged to one of our Mothers.