Life is filled with valleys. Suffering, fear of the
unknown, and hardship are inevitable in life. Without the grace of
Jesus I could not sustain the trials of life. The valley reveals how
much of His strength I have allowed in my life, and it reveals
whether I shall fail or make it. It is in the valley where I discover
who I really am and who He really is. It is in the valley I discover
His victory that carries me to the mountain-heights of joy.
In
the valley—in the midst of the trial, I can become weary and
anxious when I don’t know what is next. “Do not be anxious about
anything,” Paul wrote, “but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”
(Philippians 4:6:7). I pray with thanksgiving in my heart knowing
that God is in control. No matter what my human mind perceives I
believe in His abiding presence, His encompassing power, and the
depth of His love for me. I don't worry about anything because I
petition and give that problem to God. Is He not also able to handle
any problem? Thanking the Lord for His provision reveals faith, and
brings His peace. The promise is clear. “And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Sometimes I make
the valley more difficult by not applying my “mustard seed” of
faith in the midst of the struggle. Without applying faith, I not
only fail myself, I fail God (Hebrews 11:6). When I I try to humanly
analyze “why”, I miss the peace of God. I miss His infinite grace
which is meant to lift me above the trial. My mind can only be
guarded from fear of the unknown when I thank God for His
faithfulness, and when my mind dwells upon His infinite ability
instead of my trial (Isaiah 26:3).
Dear Lord, I am willing to
face the unknown with hope in your faithfulness to me. I will learn
the spiritual lesson you wish to impart. I will seek you everyday and
discover your burden is much lighter when I focus on you instead of
what I fear. When I give you my trial, my fear, my pain, my
struggle‒by letting it go in prayer and faith‒supernatural peace
will claim my mind and heart. It is a peace that nothing in this
world can offer, and it can only be found through the struggles of
life. It is a gift from you to lighten my load. Lord, I don't believe
that I am just meant to survive in the valley. I flourish because you
have poured living water into what might have otherwise been a
desert. You rule in my heart, Lord, and my valley becomes my place of
victory. My victory has been secured only with my surrender, and with
your power and grace. My victory in the valley is my mountain-top joy
which will last because it has been gloriously fought for and won.
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