Walking Through the ValleysSample

Before my son got his driver’s license, we started to practice the basics in the parking lot of a school. I remember the first time I gave him the keys to my car. I watched him buckle up and take the steering wheel in his hands. It was clear, I was no longer in control. I began to instruct him on the brakes, how to put the car into drive, how to check his mirrors, and which pedal was the gas. Taking it out of park, my son drove around that parking lot for an hour, working on the basics of driving. In the beginning, I felt nervous yet excited for him. But do you know what I realized? My life was in his hands. He was in the driver’s seat. I had to give up control. Though it is scary, I know there are plenty of other areas in my life that I need to do the same. When we are in the valley, one of the hardest parts is facing the fact we have no control. What is worse is when we feel like we have lost control.

Some of us might have established trust with God in one area of our life, but we still imagine we are in the driver’s seat, and God sits shotgun as He gives us directions. If we take a wrong turn, God (who we imagine to be like Siri) simply reroutes us. Sitting shotgun while my son drove in the parking lot that day showed me that I would much rather drive than be in the passenger seat. The same is true with our walk with God.

God, I got this. Let me drive.

But the valley refines us. It makes us dig deeper to find out what we are holding onto, what isn’t ours to control. So let me ask you: What are you trying to control right now in your valley? It might be a relationship, job situation, your kids, your marriage, your future, numerous unknowns—or a combination of these. Let me ask this: How is that going for you?If we are honest, we know we don’t actually control any of those things. Therefore, the valley is an opportunity to hand God the keys to our life.

In The Valley Growth Questions

1. Read Psalm 91:14-16. What speaks to you in this passage?
2. What areas have you tried to control lately? Why?
3. Write out the areas that you have tried to control and bring them to God today.

Spend some time with God right now. Tell the Holy Spirit you are here to listen. Try to quiet your mind and body. If your mind wanders, thank Him for His goodness, patience, and grace in your life to redirect your thoughts back to Him.

God, thank you for your incredible faithfulness in my life, even in my darkest days, even when I don’t currently see it or feel it. Help me to move from controlling these areas to trusting that You are at work and have a plan and purpose. I am yours today. Amen.