Lessons Learned In the Valley

In life, it is certain that all of us will go through some sort of valley experiences. There is not one of us that is immune to difficulty and hardship. Our perspective during this time will determine how we will get through these times. During these times, we can shrink inwards and become discouraged and eventually hopeless about our circumstances or we can turn to the Lord and ask for guidance, direction and understanding. Although our circumstances may continue to endure when the Lord gives us clarity and a sense of purpose to why these events are occurring in our lives. When we know the Lord, we understand that He is Sovereign, which means that all circumstances are under His control. The events that are occurring are not happening haphazardly or by chance, the Lord is using every detail, every hardship for His good in our life. Because the Lord is Sovereign, it means that it is the Lord is in control of the depth and the length of our experience in the valley. Knowing this fact deep in our heart can give us comfort that when the Lord has accomplished His purpose for our good, our situations will indeed turn. The valley quickly becomes a mirror for our heart. We are able to see or responses and where our trust lies.Whatever is not of God, pride, fear, doubt, lack of knowing God is quickly revealed and it is in the valley that the Lord will reveal Himself to be everything that we need. It can be hard at times, especially in the midst of pain, to understand why God would allow these things to occur. However, the Lord has a much greater perspective than we do and He can see what we are going to become through enduring and persevering through the valley. The Lord cares deeply for us and will comfort us and give us grace to endure, but it is out of His great love for us that He will allow the circumstances to have their perfecting work. We all love the mountaintop, when things are going great and we just seem to be blessed beyond belief. However, the times on the mountaintop is where we grow the least. We as creature of comfort tend to coast and not continue to press in during these times. It is the valley that gets our attention. It is the valley where the sweetest fruit is grown in our lives. It is in the valley where we grow the most into the people that God has called us to be.