MORE ON MOUNTAINTOPS AND VALLEYS

I’ve talked a lot about mountaintops and valleys. A friend asked me to clarify what I meant by that. At first I struggled trying to explain myself. I love it when a brother or sister in Christ challenges me to think more clearly about something. Obviously I’m talking about them from a spiritual perspective. Often when we talk about valleys it tends to imply times of discouragement, self-doubt, distance from our Father and even depression. Unfortunately that often seems to be the case. I know it has been for me over the years. I can say with no doubt that is NOT what our Father wants for us. Yes, there are ups and downs in life but how we view them is what is important. 

When I was on a mountaintop the first couple months of this year everything was so clear. Scripture came alive like it hadn’t for a long time. I could see the Abba heart of God like I hadn’t for years. These posts have come from an overflowing heart. Those mountaintop times are exhilarating. They fill us with joy and a feeling of closeness with God. I think I may have shared before that while I was on that mountaintop, God pointed to another mountaintop off in the distance. One I could see was even higher and more majestic than the one I was on and He said “see that mountaintop over there? That’s where I want to take you. But in order to get there you’re going to have to go through the valley in between”. I’m in the valley now and I think I’ve finally come to understand the purpose. You see, I think the “valley” times in our lives are the times God gives us to reflect on what he has taught us on the “mountaintops”. To reflect on His goodness and love. And yes, to reflect on our lives. And even more importantly, to learn to trust Him more. Things are not as clear in the valley and it’s harder to see what’s ahead. Those are the times we need to learn to hold onto His hand tightly. When we let go, even for a short time, that’s when discouragement can set in. That’s when we start to wonder if He really loves us and hears us. So if you are in a valley, please hold His hand as tight as you can and don’t let go. If you have found that you have let go I can assure you from my own experience that He’s right there walking with you and just waiting for you to reach your hand back to Him.