The Valley Experience

A valley is a low area of land between hills and mountains, typically with a RIVER or STREAM FLOWING through it.

One truth about life is, we learn more in our valley experiences than we do on the mountain tops.

Why? Because everything that brings pain becomes great learning tools in the school of experience. Pain is temporary…and wounds turn into wisdom.

To be a champion, it’s important to see the bigger picture. Our God strategically placed a river or stream in the valley that when we go through our “valley” experiences…we can find times of refreshing.

Everything grows and produces fruit when planted near water. As a deer longs for streams of water, so we should long to draw strength from God.

The river is running through the valley for our own personal times of refreshing.

God creates learning opportunities in the difficult times. It’s often the most effective way to get our attention….and still some folks choose to ignore Him in spite of their dire need for answers.

Could you imagine how frustrating it will be to do life without a teacher?

Step #1:

The only way to find strength when life gets complicated is to look up.

“I look up to the mountains; does my help come from the mountains?

No.

My strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.” Psalms 121:1-2 MSG

Step #2:

At every turn in life – we need God.

In the valley we learn a lot more about ourselves and God than when everything is just perfect.

“God is our protection and source of strength.

He is always ready to help us in times of trouble.

So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea…

There’s a river whose streams bring happiness to God’s city. God is in that city, so it will never be destroyed.” Psalms 46: 1-5 MSG

In the valley we can learn and listen for direction from God or choose to put our confidence in man. The choice is always a personal decision.

Daily I’m learning to just the process in my valley experiences …and I remind myself that I must not lean towards my understanding of the details.