"He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills."
Psalm 104:10
How many of us would say we are going through hard times, trials in your life, tribulation, a valley? I will be the first one raising my hand, saying YES!!! We have been going through this valley since February. Recently our Preacher (the greatest Pastor ever) gave this lesson and it has stuck with me and I would like to share this to be an encouragement to those who read this who are going through a valley.
First off, the Lord never said the Christian life would be an easy one. He never promised hard times would not come. He did however promise that we would not have to go through trials alone.
You know, when we are standing on the mountaintops (when things are going good) we forget what it feels like to be in the valley. When we are on the mountaintops, we look down at others in the valley and somehow lose the compassion that we so desperately sought after when we were down there. Things are going our way and nothing can touch you, meanwhile, you have loved ones or friends who are hurting and struggling and you don't even seem to be bothered that they are down there. My point here is, when the mountaintops come to you, don't forget how those valley's once felt and have compassion on those that are going through them.
That was just a little side note. Now here is what is exciting. God's word is filled with so many amazing things. We forget that He has given us an answer to every problem. Just a few little tid bits of some blessings I would like to share. Okay, so most of you know that Brad was layed off in February. Still no job and we are well into June. Well, along this journey in the valley, we have received countless blessings. Money in the mail sent by someone I hadn't seen or spoken to in over 15 years...literally cash in the box!! A check in my purse that had been there for 2 weeks that I found when I really needed it. Money left in my car by who knows who. There have been too many blessings to name them all and to GOD be the glory for every single one of them. Because of those blessings we have been able to stay afloat!
Well, those blessings have been SPRINGS in our valley. A spring that you can come to when your thirsty and tired and you can get a drink and rest and get refreshed. God promises to SEND springs in the valley. Little refreshers to keep you going, to not give up. If you stay in the valley too long, you can become bitter and angry and start blaming God and others. So even if you have to crawl to that spring to get you to the next spring....you must keep going.
When our pastor laid it out so plainly a light bulb went off and I was like"YES!" IT is so true there have been days when we were concerned about things and kind of a bit down and then BAM, a blessing or rather a refreshing spring, and yes, it does help you get through the next little while.
You don't have to work on the height of your mountains, be more concerned about the depths of your valley. Are you being a good testimony when you are in the valley? You can really see a person's character when things aren't going their way. It is better off to raise your valley than to seek the mountaintops. Once again, if you stay in the valley too long without that refreshing spring you can get bitter, angry, discouraged and disillusioned. If your not patient and wait on the Lord, you may miss the spring He sends.
"Yea though I walk through the shadow of death, I will FEAR no evil., for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me!"
When you are in the fire, you are not alone!
There is a spring just being in His Presence!
Get on your knees and stay on our knees. No better place to be than in the presence of the Lord.
There is a spring in His Promises!
Isaiah 54:17
Standing on the Promises!!
I hope this was an encouragement to you as much as it was to me!!
