We have all had our ‘mountain top’ experiences. Even Jesus: for it was on a mountain that he met with Elijah and Moses, and his face and clothes were changed. The glory of the Lord settled upon Mount Sinai when Moses went up to be with God, and God presented him there with the Ten Commandments.
Yet, most of our time is spent either climbing or descending. Sometimes descending a mountain can be a harrowing experience; the grade being so steep that we often slip, and slide down at a speed too dangerous for comfort. Then we are in the valley: cold, dark and depressed.
King David spent much time in the valleys and he wrote in Psalm 23, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for your rod and staff they comfort me.”
David recognized that he did not stay there in the valley! He said he walked ‘through’ the valley. Chris Tiegreen said, “This world is our passage, not our portion.” The valleys are just a roadway to another mountain
We can take heart that the God of the mountains is the God of the valleys. He is there when we walk through the valley and will lead us to the other side. Even the valley of the shadow of death will result in a heavenly home: atop the highest mountain!
So today, I thank God for what He teaches me in the valleys: for in each one, I have learned a lesson and come out stronger. I thank Him that the valleys are a temporary place on our trek through life. And I am grateful that He is God of the valleys just as He is God of the mountains.
Your post is full of encouragement and a couple of insights I hadn't thought of before:
ReplyDelete"David recognized that he did not stay there in the valley! He said he walked ‘through’ the valley." That's a demonstration of his faith! (No wallowing, no staying stuck in the valley!) I also aappreciate your words that "The valleys are just a roadway to another mountain." What a positive perspective you've given the valleys! Thank you!
Linda
Shanda, your post is so beautiful and encouraging.
ReplyDelete"I thank Him for the valley I walked through today. The darker the valley, the more I learned to pray."
Beautiful post, Shanda. I opnce heard it said that we learn to praise God on the mountaintops, but we learn to trust Him in the valleys. Thank you for a reminder of that truth.
ReplyDeleteThis blog made me remember a beautiful song -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c3h1j9uEsc. -
- Gaithers - God on the mountain by Lynda Randle
you can copy and paste - awesome!
Great blog today.
It's nice to meet you, Shanda. If you go to the Jewels of Encouragement, you will find dozens of wonderful Christian women...serving the Lord through the internet.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've had a very interesting life. I'm anxious to get to know you better.
Hi Shanda, a few homemade oatmeal cookies won't hurt ya. Everything in moderation. And there are times when milk and cookies are really, really necessary! Have a great rest of the week. Tammy
ReplyDeleteAhhh Shanda I needed so much to read this... I" think" I'm walking through a valley right now and since it's 10pm here, I really didn't want to go to bed feeling down... thank you, I'm smilling again! love you! x
ReplyDeleteHe so is... and in hindsight, I thank God for those valleys.
ReplyDelete"I thank Him that the valleys are a temporary place on our trek through life. And I am grateful that He is God of the valleys just as He is God of the mountains." Amen
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog today--you inspire me!
I really love the quote 'Chris Tiegreen said, “This world is our passage, not our portion.”' that resonates with me today - thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and such a great dose of encouragement. Our God reigns in the valley and the mountaintop.
ReplyDeleteYes this is a beautiful post and it does take valleys...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this post. I am sure that it is in the valleys of life that we learn to trust and depend on God even more. It is there that we grow stonger and learn to lean on him and have a deeper fuller relationship with him. May God bless you and the work you do!
ReplyDeleteAww, what a refreshing post! I loved it. I am borrowing the quote of that Chris Tiegreen for my FB status! I too am thankful that He is not only God of the mountaintops, but God of each and every valley that we go through...and that He never departs from us!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Shanda,
ReplyDeletethank you for linking this up to LACE today.
It is true..the valleys are necessary to understand and appreciate the peaks throughout our lives.
It's there we learn true faith, trust and hope for every deliverance.
Stepping-stones through shadows to salvation and Son-shine!
bless you...Trish
Thank you for linking up to Do Good Thursday. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda, that is so beautifully said. It's hard to remember to be in awe and reverence for our Lord when we are in the muck of the valleys but that's exactly when we need Him the most! God Bless.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda:
ReplyDeleteOur valley experiences are never easy, but essential for growth. I wrote a blog post a while back about being in the valleys. When we are high on the mountains, it is a glorious experience, but the higher one climbs on a mountain the less vegetation appears and once above timberline, there is nothing. I'm thankful for those valley experiences.
blessings,
Joan
Such an encouraging post! I'm glad He uses the valleys in life to teach us important lessons like leaning on Him and waiting for His timing.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Bethany
I am so thankful that our God is God of both the mountains and valleys in our lives! When I was going through the deepest valley I've ever known, I would pray the 23rd Psalm over and over. Do you know what word in the Psalm encouraged me the most? Yep. It was the word "through". God encouraged me with that simple word. I knew that He'd bring me beyond the valley one day, somehow. And praise God! He did! Thanks for sharing this great post!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
God never leaves us. He is with us through the mountains and the valleys. We serve an awesome God!
ReplyDeleteI have been in the VALLEY for a few months now but I know my savour has been there with me.. I love that book, "Hinds feet in High Places." It reminds that Jesus the Sheppard will carry us on high as we place our trust in Him. God bless you heaps. Cm
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The valley lessons are just as important. Enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thank-ful that the Lord is with me on the mountain and in the valley.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Ginger
Amen. I love the song Lynda Rydell sings on this subject. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
this is beautifully said and sooo sooo true. We do spend so much time climbing or descending.....and He is definitely God of all of it...the highs...the lows and the in betweens.
ReplyDeleteThere is much to be learned and discovered in Him in both experiences, God is always with us no matter what!! Through the good and Bad.
ReplyDeleteSweet Blessings...
"...valleys are a temporary trek through life." So happy with that. I'm also aware that I appreciate the mountains more because of the valley times. Thanks for reminding me that I need to valleys to grow.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Pamela
Thoughtful post. I liked the quote about this life not being our portion but a pathway. That is interesting to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteThe valleys are difficult but it's a good thing to remember that we need them to grow. And sometimes we need them to appreciate the mountain-top experiences as well.
Blessings,
Janis
I thank God for those mountaintop experiences -it makes our journey through the valley bearable, knowing it is the Lord who walks with us, that it is in Him we find refuge! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
I enjoyed reading your post wherever we are on mountain top or valley he is with us come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com I am a new follower of yours
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog! It's always nice to meet a fellow believer. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeletehttp://daisygirlproductions.blogspot.com/
I love this. Was just thinking about this same thing this morning. Tried to follow you, but the following section wouldn't load. Hope to come by again so I can keep reading & stay connected.
ReplyDelete~ Jen
http://richfaithrising.blogspot.com/
I know I read this before, but it was good to read it again. You know when you think about life on the top of the mountain, it wouldn't be all wonderful. We need to go down in the valleys. Mountain tops are windy and even the view is cold--often times you are more alone up there. Down in the valley many people gather. I loved reading this again. Praying for you over the next couple weeks especially. Thanks for hoping through my little attempt at connection. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved this quote, “This world is our passage, not our portion.” Such a precious thought! And one that I needed to hear today!
ReplyDeleteGod of the valleys as well as the mountaintops! Love it. Thank you!
ReplyDelete"The valleys are just a roadway to another mountain." Thank you for reminding me today that it's a part of the journey Home."
ReplyDeleteKeeping our eyes on the prize....kingdom vision and knowing that our God is walking with us as we journey home. Blessed again. Blessing to you.
ReplyDeleteShanda:
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Thank you for linking it to the Grace Cafe. It is in those valleys where we grow. The higher the mountain, the less vegetation, but the valleys are rich and fertile.
Thankful the Good Shepherd never leaves us alone, neither in the valleys or on the mountains.
Blessings,
Joan
We climbed a mountain a few summers ago, and the coming down was harder - more dangerous - than the going up, just like you said. It was the during the descent that one of my boys fell. But someone commented to me once that the valleys make the ups more up. :-) Thanks for your reminder that God isn't a mountain or a valley - He's consistently God. Always. Everywhere. Period.
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