We Are Messengers - The Overflow Devoಮಾದರಿ

I Look Up – We Are Messengers’ Darren Mulligan

Our natural reaction to suffering is to find a remedy as quickly as possible, and our tendency is to rush away from anything that may cause us pain or distress.

However, Paul tells us in Romans 5:3-4 to, “Rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

“I live my life in a valley
it keeps my eyes on You”

God is creating something of tremendous spiritual value within us during the valley periods of our lives. The valley is not something that we can or should avoid. It is in the pressure cooker of our pain that our faith is tested, that our true reliance on God is realized, and where we understand that the only Hope we have is Jesus. The valley is where we see His faithfulness and learn that Jesus really is the only hope we need.

In the valley we are surrounded by obstacles. However, there is great beauty to be found in the low places.

“If I wanna catch a glimpse of something bigger than me I have to look up”

Valleys force us to turn our gaze upwards and when we lift our eyes off our struggles and towards the heavens, we see the wide open love of God. His vast love is with us no matter where our pain takes us.

“Love is a man hanging on a tree
with His heart poured out for me
love is a King watching over me
And when I look up He’s all I see”

There is no suffering, sorrow or grief that Christ has not already felt, no loss like that of God the Father’s when His son Jesus poured out His life for us on the cross. We are not abandoned or alone in our suffering. God is uniquely present in the valley and if we allow God to take us through it, in His time we will find that our faith is all the richer for having been there.