In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7, NKJV.
Obviously, we aren't talking here about geographical valleys--they've been here a long time and probably will be for the foreseeable future...despite the current weather situations in California and other areas.
Spiritual valleys are another story. They don't last. I know, sometimes it seems like they will last forever, but they won't. That's not just God's promise, it's the experience of countless believers.
Think back over your lifetime--haven't there been times of joy? Those were times on the mountaintops. Those mountaintop experiences are, I believe, times of rest in preparation for battles ahead. Sorry, Christians, but the valleys/battles are the times when we grow or fail. That old saying about what doesn't kill us makes us stronger? It's one hundred percent true!
Again, I'm not talking about the physical. It's the spiritual.
Athletes don't exercise all day every day. They have to have periods of rest and refreshment. True in the spiritual realm, too. We have valleys where we have to exercise our faith because the rest (mountaintop) is in the future.
While my husband was extremely ill, that was one whale of a valley. All I could do is hang on for dear life to God. There were times I think it was the other way around--God hung onto me.
He will do that for you too, you know. When your strength is gone, His remains strong.
Father, thank You for being with us through valley of shadows, sometimes carrying us. Your strength is as everlasting as Your love. You are the best. For the glory of Your Son, we pray. Amen.
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