Reed's Reads of Wisdom Wednesdays: Walking Through the Shadow of Death

Today, on the 19th day of Black History Month, we reflect on the moments when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, where darkness looms, hope seems distant, and the weight of trials feels unbearable.

This week’s Reed’s Reads of Wisdom Wednesdays takes inspiration from Chapter 10: “Shadow of Death” in S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™, where Kevin Edwards (Angelo) and Melanie stand face to face with a terrifying enemy—a demon whose laughter echoes as it mercilessly attacks them. The superhero Angelo, already battered and barely able to stand, fights with all he has left to protect Melanie, knowing that defeat could mean losing everything.

Their struggle mirrors the historical experiences of Black individuals who faced brutal oppression, fear, and injustice—yet refused to give up. From enslaved people who risked their lives to escape bondage, to civil rights activists standing firm against violent opposition, history has shown us that the shadow of death does not mean the absence of hope.

In today’s post, we will explore how faith, resilience, and the refusal to surrender to fear have been central to both S.O.L.A.D.™ and Black history.

Confronting the Shadow of Death

In Shadow of Death, Angelo is already wounded, exhausted, and barely standing, following a previous battle, when he and Melanie are confronted by a black, faceless demon with glowing red eyes. As they prepare for battle, the demon laughs in their faces, taunting them, sensing their weakness.

Angelo knows he isn’t at full strength, but when the demon turns its gaze toward Melanie, he steps in front of her, shielding her from harm. He refuses to let her be taken, even if it means putting himself in greater danger.

📖 Psalm 23:4 (NKJV):"Yea, 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."

Throughout history, Black people have faced their own versions of the “shadow of death.”

The Middle Passage: Millions of enslaved Africans endured unimaginable suffering as they were forcibly transported across the Atlantic.
Jim Crow Era Lynchings: The threat of death was ever-present for Black individuals who dared to challenge racial injustice.
The Civil Rights Movement: Protesters faced police brutality, attack dogs, and fire hoses—yet stood their ground, demanding freedom.

Like Angelo, they did not back down. They stood in the face of terror, refusing to let fear dictate their destiny.

The Weight of Exhaustion—When the Battle Feels Never-Ending

As Angelo and Melanie fight for survival, Angelo experiences a terrifying realization—his body is not healing the way it should. Normally, his powers allow him to recover quickly, but this time, he feels broken, unable to regenerate as he usually does.

This moment reflects the exhaustion that comes with long battles for justice. Many freedom fighters, abolitionists, and civil rights leaders found themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained—but they kept going.

Harriet Tubman led over 300 enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad, despite the exhaustion and the constant threat of capture.
Fannie Lou Hamer was beaten and left for dead for fighting for voting rights, but she continued her activism.
John Lewis was brutally attacked on Bloody Sunday in Selma, yet he got up and kept marching.

📖 Galatians 6:9 (NKJV):"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Angelo's struggle is symbolic of the burden of those who fight for justice—even when they are weary, they know the battle is not yet won.

Refusing to Let Fear Win

Melanie, seeing that Angelo is badly injured, draws her bow and aims at the demon, refusing to be paralyzed by fear. Even when the demon disappears and reappears suddenly, knocking Angelo to the ground, Melanie does not run. She knows that fear alone will not save her—action will.

This moment echoes the courage of Black individuals who stood firm in the face of oppression.

The Freedom Riders rode buses into the deep South, knowing they could be beaten or killed.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted over a year, with Black individuals walking miles rather than supporting segregation.
The Little Rock Nine entered schools where they were met with mobs and military resistance, yet they did not back down.

📖 Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV):"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Melanie and Angelo's battle is a reminder that fear will always be present in times of great struggle, but courage is the choice to keep fighting anyway.

Victory Through Resilience

As the battle intensifies, Angelo is struck so hard that everything goes black. He stops breathing. Melanie, realizing that she is alone against an enemy far stronger than her, could have run. But instead, she fights.

At the last moment, she fires three glowing arrows straight into the demon’s back, destroying it completely. The demon dissolves into black mist, defeated not by overwhelming power, but by a willingness to stand firm until the very end.

📖 Romans 8:37 (NKJV):"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Just like Melanie, many Black heroes throughout history have secured victories through resilience:

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, but only after relentless abolitionist efforts.
The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, but only after years of protests and activism.
Barack Obama became the first Black U.S. president in 2008, after centuries of Black Americans fighting for political representation.

Victory often comes after relentless struggle, and today’s battles for justice, equality, and representation remind us that the fight is far from over.

Lessons from Shadow of Death for Black History Month

1. Fear Will Always Exist—But We Must Stand Anyway

Angelo and Melanie had every reason to be afraid, but they stood their ground.
Civil rights activists knew the dangers they faced, but they kept marching.
Modern activists continue to fight against injustice, refusing to back down.

📖 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV):"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2. Battles Are Exhausting—But They Are Worth Fighting

Angelo fought even when his strength failed him.
Black leaders throughout history persevered through brutal conditions.
The work for justice today still requires resilience and endurance.

📖 James 1:12 (NKJV):"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

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Angelo and Melanie’s journey in Shadow of Death is a powerful reflection of endurance, faith, and resilience. Their fight echoes the real struggles of Black history—a history filled with individuals who refused to surrender, even when standing in the shadow of death.

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🌟 Do not fear the shadows. Keep moving forward. Victory is ahead. 🌟