Hand In Hand.
So throughout life. everybody has more than good moment, more than one bad moment, more than one valley, and more than one victory. Lately its been on my heart to talk about the valley.
We all enjoy the good parts in life, the happy times. The moments where our hearts are filled with the utmost joy, we feel like we can’t stop smiling and we’re on top of the world.
This was me a few weeks back. God came in and made everything feel right, everything was going in my favour and i felt so connected with God. I talked with him daily, he spoke through me at a small gathering, music and friends were going fantastic. I felt as though the devil couldn’t touch me. Call me ignorant or foolish but with God as my over-protective father, why should i fear the devil?
Recently he’s definitely tested me. With physical pain, with emotional warfare, and he has definitely tried to attack me spiritually. And i feel as though i’ve been sent to somewhat of a valley. But this one seems different than the other(s). My perspective has changed since the last time i was dragged through the valley. Because of valley’s in the past i’ve been built stronger in faith and trust and no longer do i feel the need to take the easy path. If God is in control, which he always is, then what he is doing with me is obviously for my greater good.
. .…………. .
The valley was always explained to me as a place of darkness and trials. A place where the devil lurks and tests your insecurities or your weakest points. The second you feel a moment of joy or happiness— he robs you of it. He tries to separate every connection with God you have, to make you weak and vulnerable.
I think its better said that the valley is a place where we meet Jesus. And he faces us with deep scars on his face from the crown of thorns, holes in his hands and feet from the nails, and torn flesh covering his body. Taking us, hand in hand, through thorns and mud. He whispers to us, “we are in the shadow of your victory and i will build you stronger.” While the devil screams at us, “You are weak and will suffer in this valley of death and it will defeat you”.
We are given the CHOICE who to listen to. And i think its not always easy to go with Jesus, because we want the easy way out. The distorted way the devil has made seem appealing. For instance — cutting, suicide, eating-disorders, whatever form of coping that makes the pain go away.
Without the valley we would be weak and we would never grow. We would never learn anything, we would never know Jesus other than a character in a book. Because who can believe, trust, love and have faith in somebody who you’ve never met. So Jesus calls us in the place of despair and trials where we meet him and where he will one day lead us out.
And throughout it all we need to praise him.
Preach his name.
Give our pains and struggles over to him.
Trust in him and fear will not be in our vocabulary.
Let him empty us of ourselves and let him fill it with himself.
