7 replies to this topic

[Charles Miles]

Hi everyone! Have not been through here in some time but always enjoy reading thoughts of brothers and sisters as life happens, as it does to us all.

 I love the mountain top! Man, the basking in the light and love of God just makes me want to explode into grateful songs and praises.  God is good, His grace is unmeasurable, and His love fills me to overflowing.....

  I hate the valley!  Man, the depths are so deep, the darkness is so surrounding, heavy clouds and depression are all around me....

  I`ll bet everyone here knows both of those places.  We all know them so well. What is the difference between the glorious mountain top and the deep valley? Does the Lord of our life walk away for a while? Would a God who loves me more than I can ever know just leave for a while? Why do bad things happen to good people?  Who has not asked themselves THAT question?

 Oh how easy it is to trust the Lord on top of that mountain. Takes no effort, no strain, just hold out your arms and soak in the goodness of our God!!

 "Without fire there is no refining, without flood there is no rescue..."  All God has ever asked is for us(His children) to believe what He says  and to trust Him. Have we ever heard, when deep, deep in that valley...."Do you trust me?" "Do you REALLY trust me?" "You said you did up on that mountain top, but now, RIGHT NOW, do you trust me?" 

 God never leaves His child, not ever. He is closer than your heartbeat, nearer than your next breath. and encompasses you closer than your skin. I do hate the valley, but it is there where I hear my God speaking to me in that voice, that calming, sweet, loving voice and asking..."Do you trust me to do for you what I said I would do?" 

  Have you ever been ashamed to be in the valley?

 

May God bless you all.  I know He will because He said He would.

Your brother in Christ,

 

Charlie

[Candice]

Charlie,
Your post is straight from the heart, and I feel for you.
I believe that the valleys are where we live most of our lives.
More later....gotta sleep

Be well and at peace in Christ.

[Meema]

I can so relate, Charlie. My family and I have had some major testings in the past several years. However, perhaps attributable to my advanced age, I seem to have slipped through another threshold somehow. My prayer life now is often reduced to praise, thanksgiving, humility and ends with ‘and deliver us from evil’.  Evil seems to be on the rise.

 

But the strangest thing has happened of late - I am not afraid anymore. I might easily suspect this is due to just being numb but I don’t think so. Reading the Scriptures now is like a long drink of water on a hot day -refreshing, reassuring. I don't even have to overthink anything anymore. It's truly a sensation of having completely given Jesus the wheel. I do know He is with us even in the valley - maybe even especially in the valley.  It’s an amazing transition to know there really is nothing to fear. There is nothing the enemy can do to me. And he has been working overtime trying to make me believe he can let me tell ya. 

 

The unanswered question for me is: Since it feels that simply saying that we are tested to refine us is too limited, is it more then, what He wants? Perhaps there are multiple answers to that - as varied as our individual walks with Christ. What He wants from me may not be the same as anyone else. I’m beginning to understand. It’s a huge comfort.

[Charles Miles]

Meema has hit the ball out of the park!  I do not think for a second that God causing the difficulties we encounter out there, but He sure uses them to train us, show us, teach us, and allow us to fall back into His arms.  What a peace that kind of trust brings to us! The Lord can and does us all manner of things to strengthen His children, so I find these valley experiences valuable(not pleasurable) teaching moments

 

May God bless you all,

 

Charlie

[Candice]

Charlie,

I like your mud analogy from your other post reply!  I am going to post "Pig is Pig" and I hope it blesses you as it has me.  Christ in me is the only hope.  The Lord said we would endure hardship but He has overcome the world.  He isn't causing it.  It's the world, our own flesh tendencies, etc.   When Jesus took along Peter, John and James to the mountaintop (Matt. 17:1-9) and Jesus was transfigured, etc. -- the disciples did not want to come off that mountain!  But they had to live on this earth.  The valleys are getting deep and it's hard to watch the world dissolve.  It's depressing but God's plan is unfolding and that's not depressing. 

 

Best to you Charlie!

[qnsinternational]

QNS International, a premier training institute in dubai, offers expert management services. Elevate your team's skills and capabilities for enhanced productivity and success.

[oshuniversity]

Elevate your medical career at Osh University, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world for mbbs. Join a distinguished league of professionals, as Osh paves the way for excellence in medical education on a global scale.

[deltaroot]

Innovative cyber security solutions for IT/OT environments are provided by Deltaroot. Our specialized tactics reduce risks and strengthen defenses against new and emerging threats. Put your trust in Deltaroot for thorough protection and worry-free digital asset management.