Are You in a Valley?

When you or someone you know are in the midst of a trial or difficulty, have you ever described your situation as, “Walking through a valley” or “God’s brought me to this valley”?  I know I have.  Oftentimes, we use the phrases, “mountaintop experience” and “walking through a valley” to describe moments in our lives that break away from our everyday normal.  But why?  Is it simply because of the contrast in elevation and our tendency to relate height with happiness and depth with difficulty?  For example, “I’m soaring on eagles’ wings” contrasted with, “I feel so low”.

While we oftentimes automatically associate spiritual valleys with negativity, in actuality, a physical valley can be quite a beautiful place.  Physical valleys tend to have rivers that run through them, rich fertile soil, lush flora and fauna, and they are protected from fierce winds by the surrounding mountains.

There are exceptions though.  Death Valley is a desert valley and is the lowest, driest, and hottest valley in North America.  We probably relate our spiritual valleys more to this type of valley as opposed to the other.  But even in such a hostile environment, beauty and life can emerge.

(Photo courtesy of Death Valley National Park 2/10/16)

So maybe when we find ourselves in a spiritual valley, instead of asking God, “Why?” and trying to find our way out as quickly as possible, we should look to God and say, “I don’t understand this, and I’d rather not be here, but since I am, I will trust You. Please use this place to grow me and teach me.”

 

We don’t always know why God does what He does, but God knows.  Maybe our bones have gone dry and they need the valley’s rivers to refresh them.  Maybe our heart has become hard in places and it needs the Lord to cultivate the valley’s rich, fertile soil into it.  Maybe our hope has diminished and we need the valley’s lush flora and fauna to awaken it. Maybe if we continue on the path we are on, we will find ourselves falling further away from God, therefore, we need the valley to protect us from even worse storms ahead.

Beauty and purpose can always be found in our valleys as long as we remember that God is in control and He is with us.  He will never allow us to enter such a place without Him, and He will certainly never leave us alone to find our own way out.

Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go.

Genesis 28:15

Dina Pugh