Getting Through the Valleys, Pt. 4

God sometimes determines the length and depth of the valleys we walk through based on how we respond.

Getting Through the Valleys, Pt. 4

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over."

(Psalm 23:5)

I hope these devotions on the valley experiences in your life are giving you help and hope. I was blessed to listen to Charles Stanley preach this message online and am excited to be sharing his insights with you along with some of my own thoughts on the topic. Another powerful point Stanley makes in his message on Life Principle #29 is: "Valleys are painful periods in our lives."

They can be long or short in duration. The pain is real; it does hurt, no doubt. God wants to clear up our thinking. Trials are His way of getting our attention.

What is the deepest valley you have ever gone through? For some, it is when a husband or wife walks away; it is a shattering pain; your emotions are at an all-time low. Some have been dumped or dropped suddenly into the valley. Was it His will? No, but He allowed it to happen. Whether you are at the top of a mountain of blessings or in the bottom of the valley of difficulty, the Lord is the same, and He is with you. He determines the length and depth sometimes based on how we respond. If we are stubborn, complain, and slow to learn what He is teaching us, then the valley experience will take a little longer.

Keep in mind, Romans 8:28-29 is still in the Bible!

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

I have learned that in those times where God is conforming us into the image of His Son, making us more like Jesus, then it will be painful. Pride and self-preservation will be dealt a lethal blow. Dying is hard, but being raised to life is glorious!

Another point Dr. Stanley made about valleys is: "Our valleys are under the watchful care of our Shepherd." When you trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, He will always be with you. He lives within us, helping, guiding, comforting, and strengthening us. No matter the mountain or the valley, the Good Shepherd is the same and is always there!

Do not look at your valley as an endless tunnel. When people lose hope, they give up, and many people commit suicide. But our trials are not everlasting tunnels; rather, they are a valley. It will end. The Good Shepherd is with you. He is there, though you may not sense His presence. He cannot leave or forsake you. There is hope in the valley. God is ready to help. He loves us unconditionally. Turn to Him. He may not take the problem away immediately, but He will teach us and walk with us. One day, we will look back and see God's hand guiding us. We will never be able to thank Him enough.