Through the Valley
There are times in our lives when we go through hard things. There. I said it. Hard things. We often have to go through hard times, experience hard, or difficult, situations. To some, that may be the world’s biggest understatement. Many years ago, that would have been me. I would have said something like, “You ain’t-a-kidding, mister!”
Hard things. Better known as, going through the valley. We all go through the valley at some point in our lives and more times than we care, or want to.
But, while the valley isn’t a pleasant experience, and while many people end up dwelling there for longer than they should, the valley is not a place where we were ever meant to stay. Did you get that? The valley is not our destination. It is our next assignment. Our assignment!
You see, we are all meant to walk on a higher plane. We are meant to soar. The Bible likens us to eagles. We are supposed to be like the eagle. Eagles are mentioned many times throughout the Bible. Probably one of the most quoted verses is out of Isaiah 40, verse 31 (from the New Living Translation), which says;
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Thinking about the eagle for a minute, the eagle makes its nest far above the ground. Up high. They have exceptional eyesight and can see their prey far down below them, on the ground. They have a wide wingspan, often more than seven feet across. Their talons, or claws, are razor-sharp, and when they grab their prey they are able to dig in and hang on without dropping it. They are extremely strong and can pick up anything from small animals, snakes and serpents, fish, up to larger animals without difficulty. The eagle does not kill or eat its prey on the ground. It swoops down, picks up the prey, and flies into the air, up, higher and higher, and that is where it defeats its prey. The eagle also does not turn its head to look behind it. This tells me that it is not intimidated by any predator or by its surroundings.
The eagle is majestic, regal, and beautiful. It has also been chosen as the state bird in many states.
How then, do we compare ourselves to eagles? If we can’t get out of the valley, finding ourselves seemingly stuck in despair, abuse, depression, addiction, or more? Why do people tell us the valley is a learning experience and to wait until we’re on the mountaintop? Could we learn something from the valley? Absolutely! Yet, sometimes it’s a little difficult to see while we are down there.
But let me shed some light for you… I said earlier that the valley is not our destination, meaning we are not meant to stay there. We are merely passing through. In Psalm 23:4 (NLT) it says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me,” (emphasis is mine).
This verse says when we walk through. Not if. When. We are going to go through valleys in our lives. Plural, more than one. However, the Bible also says that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. In Ephesians 1:21 it says, “Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else – not only in this world but also in the world to come,” (emphasis is mine). If we are seated with Christ, who is far above everything… my friend, so are we!
Therefore, why should we, or would we, allow things of this world; depression, anxiety, addiction, despair, hopelessness, abuse, etc. to hinder us, to control us, to manipulate or hurt us? These above mentioned are only weapons the enemy (the devil) uses to keep us from moving forward, living the abundant life God intended us to live, through Christ Jesus.
Another beautiful, yet powerful passage, is from Isaiah 54:17, which tells us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that rises to accuse us will be silenced. These are blessings given to us by our gracious and merciful God! The weapon may be formed, but it won’t prosper!
Let me put this another way: Jesus loves you. He always has. Why then would He want you to be miserable, or hurt? He wouldn’t! But, Satan does! Because you know Jesus, because you belong to Him, the devil hates you. And when you get close to what God has called you to do and who He has created you to be, the devil comes prowling, slinking, stalking, into your life and tries to destroy you. He tries to make you believe you’re worthless and not good for anything. And although he can’t kill you, he will try every trick in his book to make you believe these lies so you will do what he can’t do.
Oh, my beautiful friend, DON’T LET HIM!
Instead, this is why it is so important to be like the eagle. Watch from far above. Don’t look behind you, there’s no need. See your enemy stalking. Then spread your wings, soar through the valley, swoop down and pick him up, carry him far above the earth, higher and higher… then devour him!
I will have more about that in my next post. Until then, be blessed and walk healed!
