Walking Through the ValleysПримерок

Through your own discouragement, bitterness, and hurt you may be sensing incredible darkness. I know what that’s like but I’m deeply grateful that in the midst of the valley, we still have an opportunity to choose to hold onto hope. This hope does not mean we are given an immediate exit ramp from the valley. This hope does not mean the fog will clear this week. Instead, this immovable hope remains that Jesus has not forgotten us. He sees what we face, is present with us in our grief, and calls us to remove the stones which shield the parts of us we do not want to surface. Hebrews tells us, “Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep His promise”

Hebrews 10:23 (GNT).

You may be thinking: I can’t hold onto hope, I have nothing left in me. My strength is gone.

You aren’t alone.

I firmly believe that our hope in Jesus is not dependent on our own strength. And do you know what I have to say to that? Praise God it’s not! I need a Source that is not dependent on my abilities and successes. I need a Source who isn’t deterred by my failures. I am grateful for a hope which is not dependent on if I have been let go from work, face loss, or am betrayed. I need His kindness and love, which is unchanging whether we have it all together or feel like life is spinning out of control.

As followers of Jesus, our hope is in Him. We can cling to the promise that Jesus lived, died on the cross, and rose from the grave, forever defeating death and sin. Our hope is in His miracle-working power. The truth is, God sees you right now. He knows exactly how you feel. The path is available. Ask Him for strength. It may not be an exit ramp out of the valley, but it is an on-ramp into His loving-kindness and full measure of hope. May we choose to delight in the Lord despite our situation. As we delight in Him, we have a promise that we will be given our heart’s desires. I believe those desires are for joy and peace to overflow in our life.

In The Valley Growth Questions

1. What fears or worries do you need to trust God with today?
2. Take a moment to list what you are grateful for today.

Spend some time with God today. Set a timer for 7 minutes and thank God for the areas you are grateful for. Thank Him for being at work in your life. God sees you! He loves you!