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It was last week. Yes, I felt hopeless. I cannot express to you how rare this emotion is for me. I have lived here only one other time in my life. However, I believe God took me to the Valley of Hopeless that I may empathize with others who reside there. The timing of this valley experience is interesting falling around the holidays. The holiday season intensifies feelings of sadness and despair. It became clear, through this experience, God desires to encourage others as He encouraged me. We can have hope in our hopelessness.
NEVER GIVE UP!
To make our way out of this valley, we must first take an inventory. Name those around us who are watching. Those who are waiting to see if what we say, we honestly believe. Those who want to see the Jesus we keep telling them exists. These people are watching our life story. Our precious lambs, our husband or wife, mother-in-law, co-worker all desperately need to see us succeed. They want to believe God is real.
Our life audience is unmistakably interested when we are in the valley of adversity. Adversity is at the heart of every person’s life story. The manner in which we respond to personal adversity is what inspires or turns away the bystanders. With this clearly in mind, we can begin to ascend from the valley floor.
How do we climb out?
Remember the parable of the sower? It is in verse 15 of Luke Christ, Himself, reveals a seed of truth: But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
It is in the valley that we must reach out to Christ for strength to persevere. Dwell in the word of God. His rich promises can and will change us, encourage and inspire us to a life well lived for our King.
It is in the fire of our adversity that our character is forged. O Holy ground- adversity. It is who we become in the process. Who we are is of ultimate importance to God.
In a single moment of selfish anger, I quit my marriage. I have forfeited everything I have worked for years. Have I not also given up on Christ’s redeeming power? He persevered and endured the cross for me.
Don’t Give up.
Remember one day we will stand before a finisher – Jesus.
Adversity–perseverance-maturity-Christlikeness. A profound pathway to become who we are to be.
Will you allow Christ to author your story for a greater good?
Be blessed, Lynn
This post is dedicated to, Greg Sidders, who endured his own valley earlier this year to help others persevere through theirs. Thank you, Greg!
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