Living in Our Valley
As we journey through life, we learn more with each step we take. In a recent message by Pastor James McMenis, he emphasized that "maturity is about adapting to the season we are in by recognizing that season and adjusting accordingly." Various stages of life bring different decisions we must make. The mountain tops and valleys look different at the stage of life you are in now, compared to the stage of life you were in 10 to 20 years ago. Think of it this way:
| Mountain Top | The Valley | |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | Full Stomach and Sleeping | Empty Stomach, Tired |
| Young Child | New toys | My toy gets taken from me |
| Pre-Teen | He/She noticed me | I started to get a zit |
| Teenager | I got a date to prom | He broke up with me |
| Young Adult | I got my first job | My car broke down |
| Middle Aged Adult | My child got married | My IRA tanked |
| Mature Adult | My grandchildren | My best friend passed away |
While these may not reflect exactly what you are experiencing right now, you can see the difference between a mountain top and a valley, based on age. Returning to our biblical example, I personally believe Jehoshaphat could not have walked through this valley, handled it with spiritual maturity, and come out stronger at any other stage in his life. He began to carry out the 10 steps to walking through a valley and experiencing success on the other side. We have already examined the first two steps. Now, let’s look at the next two:
#1 Seek The Lord
#2 Get to Church
#3 Remind the Lord
“And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?” 2 Chronicles 20:6
Let me correct this right away: The Lord is not a forgetful God, except when He forgives our sins. The Lord has a perfect memory and acts at the appropriate time on that recollection. When we speak of reminding the Lord, we are called to repeat to Him the promises He gave us in His Word. Our Father wants to hear us speak back to Him what He has promised us. This shows Him that we’ve been in His Word, are recalling it, and believe in His Word. To remind the Lord of His promises, we must know His Word. There are over 3,000 promises in Scripture made by God directly to mankind. When we are walking through a valley, it’s best to remind God of one of these promises.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2 Corinthians 9:8
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 14:15-16
The list of promises could go on and on. If we are to remind the Lord of what He has promised over our lives, we must know these promises. We must be in the Word to have the ability to recall them. I encourage you to take the time to write out these promises. My wife has them posted all over our home. They speak into the lives of our boys, into my life, and hers. Write the promises down, memorize them, and speak them over your life to the Lord daily. He responds to His spoken Word.
#4 Seek the Safe Place
We often search for a safe shelter during the trials of our lives. Turning your trials into blessings means finding refuge in the proper place of rescue and security.
“If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.” 2 Chronicles 20:9
Notice where Jehoshaphat and the people went—they went to the house of the Lord. We covered this last week. So many run from the safe place, a shelter in a time of storm, and fail to find true safety. If a tornado were coming and you had an underground shelter, you would run to it without thinking twice. Yet, when the valley of trials comes, many shelter themselves in places that cannot provide real safety. They may turn to a bottle, a person, or even an isolated location. In reality, the safest place to be is with other Christ-followers who won’t judge, won’t push you in a certain direction, but will love you with Agape love. In that place, you can boldly stand in His presence, agree with others, and cry out to the Lord in your affliction. He will hear and help you. You cannot fight your battle without accountability and wisdom in and around your life.
“For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.” Psalm 143:3-6
It is in Him alone that we find safety and shelter. Jesus alone can turn our valley of trial into a valley of blessing.
How will you journey through the valley?
Mr. Euler has over 20 years of experience working in Christian Schools, 13 as a Head of School and is currently the Head of School at Word of God Academy, Shreveport, LA., a ministry of Word of God Ministries.
Website www.wogacademy.org
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