The Valley

Walking along one of my favorite trails, I look up at the vast incline to see tall, towering trees filled with lush green leaves. Near the base of the trees, the ground is covered with a fine fern and undergrowth, looking like a velvety carpet. While this describes the beauty of the summer, this particular area is beautiful to me each season. Spring offers mostly brown undergrowth with tiny bursts of green while the treetops bud leaves in a mixture of greens and yellows. Shades of orange, red, and yellow mingle together to provide a collage of beauty during Autumn. With the fall of a gentle winter snow, tree branches are outlined, and the earth is covered with a pure white blanket. Each season brings a different beauty to this valley, but not all valleys offer beauty.

Right now, I am climbing out of my own valley, one caused by a tumult of emotions. I have experienced a mixture of fear, doubt, and discouragement, allowing Satan to creep in and take over many thoughts. I am not a stranger to battles in my mind, however in recent years I have learned to recognize them, putting specific tools in place to keep clear of my valley. In recent weeks, without realizing it, I had slipped down and could not climb back out. I knew the answer. The answer is the same whether in the valley, climbing out, or standing on the hilltop. I needed Jesus.

While many passages of scripture speak to my heart, the book of Psalms is my favorite. In so many of the psalms, David shares his heart as he wanders in the valley and then rises to the mountaintops. Often, he will begin with his struggle but end with hope – hope he finds in the Lord. David also found that whether in the valley, climbing out, or standing on the hilltop, he needed Jesus.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” ~ Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

Jesus is always right there. In so many passages of scripture, God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. Though we may wait for Him to hear our cry, He has already been patiently waiting for us to realize our need to cry for Him. As we realize our need, Jesus lifts us up out of the pit and offers His hand. He guides us out of our valley, sets us on a rock, and gives us a firm place to stand. As we are strengthened with His steadfast love and grace, hope is restored and joy bursts forth giving us a new song. We are lifted to the heights of the mountaintops, where we see the beauty of God and His goodness to us.

I realize today as I start my upward climb that maybe the circumstances plunging me into the valley have not changed. There are unknowns ahead of me, and I cannot always see the path. But there has been a change. I have changed where I am looking. No longer am I looking at what is around me. I am looking up to the One who guides my steps. With a firm hold of His hand, I will climb out. He is my foundation. His promises are my strength, and the hope He has given encourages me as I move forward. No matter the path, I have God and I have hope.

Do you know the same is true for you? Whether you are in a valley today or enjoying the mountaintop, if you know Jesus, you have Him and you have hope. When unseen circumstances, tumults of emotions, or the difficulties of life have you heading toward your valley, look to Him. Talk to God, share your heart. Pursue Jesus as you spend time in His Word. You will find yourself climbing to the mountaintop and giving others an opportunity to see Jesus.

In His Love,

Susan