Valley Hope

Good Morning!

I’ve been thinking about how to put this into words and praying that God would make what I’m thinking come out in writing.

I am praying for some people who are in “the valley” and I know that when we are in the valley, all we do is try to climb out of it. We try so hard. So so hard. I have a friend who, while in the valley, has chosen to turn all of her stress and anxiety over to God. Her hopes, thoughts, prayers are what get her through the day because she is staying very connected to the vine….more so than in her entire life. Yet, when we are in the valley, we sometimes think “when will I ever get out? Have I done enough to get out? What more can I do?” I don’t know if she feels this way, but I know most of us do during those low times in life.

The way I see it is this: many people in the valley turn to drugs, alcohol, busy schedules, anxiety, insomnia, or any number of things that is a representative for the replacement of God. If I try in my feeble mind to see things the way God might, I can see how the valley is one of the most beautiful and critical moments in life. It is the time when God can do the most in our lives….if we choose to put our focus on Him. He can do His work in building our faith and our trust….if we allow Him to. Many people, though, choose other things to “get them through” and if they ever get out of the valley, they are not better for it. They don’t have any tools for life and they might even be in a worse condition. But, those who put their trust in the Lord….especially in the valley when it is hardest….will come out of the valley like a cannon exploding! Those people will be effective and bear fruit for God like no other!

Isaiah 49:23 Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

If you are going through the valley, where have you put your focus? If it is on God, you can be absolutely sure that He will lift you up and will be able to do mighty things through you. If you are choosing to let other things get you through, you have an uncertain future.

I’m grateful and thankful that God never gives up on us. He will continually, patiently call and prod us.

John 10:3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

jennie