3 Keys to Peace in the ValleySample

Key 1: Worship Despite Hard Times

Are you walking through a dark valley right now? If so, I want you to know today that keeping your eyes on Jesus during this dark time will help you come out of the valley and, eventually, up into the brightness of God's glory and hope again.

One of the biggest tools that will help you keep your eyes on Jesus is simply worshiping Him. When you worship God from your heart, you will find yourself lifting your eyes UP, off your situations and difficulties, and ONTO the beautiful face of Jesus. And when you do that, you will find comfort, love, hope, and peace.

Here is a tool that will help you worship despite your pain:

Even if you don't feel like worshiping, you can choose to worship and inspire yourself to worship if you begin thinking about who Jesus is.

Our key Scriptures for today tell us to keep our eyes on Jesus—and that He is always the same. So, no matter how you feel from day to day or moment to moment, consider this:

• Jesus is still worthy of worship and adoration.
• He is your self-sacrificing Savior, and the Savior of the world.
• He is the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star, and the Fairest of Ten Thousand.
• He is holy!
• He is merciful, kind, good, and just.
• He is the Root and Offspring of David; our Good Shepherd who leads us and guides us.
• He is God who was, and who is, and who is to come.
• He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Sometimes, it is hard to worship Jesus through your pain.

However, I encourage you to choose to worship Him anyway, right in the midst of your pain:

• Focus your thoughts and your mind's eye on Jesus.
• Thank Him for who He is.
• Praise Him for who you know Him to be according to His Word, even if you struggle to "feel" like doing so.

Worship will become easier each time you choose to simply worship Jesus for who He is, regardless of how you feel on any given day. And as you choose to worship Him right in the middle of your valley, you will find that He is the Light for all your dark places. And in time, He will escort you out of your valley.

No matter what your situation is, look to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him. Jesus is the Key to everything, and He is worthy of all your praise.