Ever felt like your message prep has completely fallen apart? In this episode, Kelly and Lindsay talk about what they call “The Valley of Despair”—that inevitable moment in every teacher’s process when you want to quit, question everything, and wonder if you’re even called to do this. Spoiler: you’re not alone, and it’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong. Every Bible teacher knows the moment: you start strong, full of vision and excitement for the text, and then suddenly you hit a wall. The words don’t come together, your outline feels useless, and you start thinking someone else could do it better. In this honest and relatable episode, Kelly and Lindsay affectionately call this season “The Valley of Despair” (or as Pilgrim’s Progress puts it, the Slough of Despond). They share their own stories of facing this discouraging stretch and what it’s taught them about dependence, humility, and God’s faithfulness. Kelly opens up about a recent message prep that brought her to tears—just days before speaking at a conference. Despite her deep study and excitement, the talk fell apart at the last minute. Meanwhile, Lindsay recalls finding two versions of an old sermon—one written before her own “valley,” and one after—and realizing how God used that difficult place to refine not just her message but her heart. Together, they unpack why these moments happen and how they’re actually built into the process. The Valley of Despair, they explain, isn’t a sign of failure—it’s evidence that God is forming something deeper in us. It’s where we’re reminded that our teaching is never about performance or perfection, but about dependence. Whether you’re preparing your first Bible study or your hundredth sermon, this conversation will remind you that feeling weak, uncertain, or unqualified isn’t the end of the process—it’s often where God does His best work. Key Takeaways The “Valley of Despair” is a normal (and even necessary) part of preparing to teach.Feeling like your message is falling apart doesn’t mean you’re not called—it often means God is deepening your dependence on Him.The best thing you bring to any teaching moment is your transformed presence, not a perfect outline.Prayer—and trusted friends who will pray with you—are essential tools for moving through discouragement.Your weakness is not a liability; it’s where God’s strength shines most clearly. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another teacher who might be in their own “Valley of Despair.” Subscribe to the Teach Equip Podcast for more honest, practical conversations that help you grow as a Bible teacher, and visit TeachEquip.com for free tools and resources. Additional Resources: The creative process chart mentioned in this episodeWe’d love to hear from you! What part of this episode resonated most with you? Share your thoughts, questions, or “aha” moments with us—we love connecting with fellow teachers. Subscribe to our newsletterInterested in joining Teach Equip as a student? Applications are open now through October 31, 2025. Space is limited to just 12 participants, so early applicants are prioritized. Want to bring Teach Equip to your church? Learn how to license our program and equip your teachers at teachequip.com/churches. 📲 Learn more: www.teachequip.com 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @teachequip 💌 Email us at info@teachequip.com
