What happens when what once was your mountain top becomes your valley? How could something that once was such a blessing become such a curse? I have been pondering and praying concerning these two questions and today in the midst of my valley, God spoke to me. Now before we go any further in this devotion I feel that it is necessary to define a few words:
1-comfort zone: the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity (Webster’s Dictionary)
2-familiarity: close acquaintance with something; the quality or state of being familiar; state of a close relationship (Webster’s Dictionary)
3-mountain top: the highest point; peak; apex; the top most level attainable
4-valley: low point or condition; hollow; depression
Now that we have established what these terms mean, let us continue on this journey. Over six months ago, I took a step of faith and moved away from my family, my comfort zone, and all familiarity, expecting to have a mountain top experience. Let’s just say, I had a microwave mountain top experience. Now you may be wandering what a “microwave mountain top” experience is, well in simple terms it is a mountain top experience that last only for a short time. My decision to take a leap of faith was definitely ordained by God as every thing that needed to fall into place fell into place at the right moment and in my transition from the familiar place to my place of promise the transition was very smooth. Everything was going as well as could be, I was learning my new job responsibilities, I was being welcomed by a new group of people, and I was so excited about experiencing the new…I was on the Mountain top. Within four months of being on the mountain top, I began to have a few valley experiences, but I was still pressing onward and praying, because after all, God sent me to this place and He has a plan for me.
It is 13 days shy of me being in my place of promise and I am still in the valley. Each day I ask God what am I missing? Why am I in a low place, a place where purpose and provision are not meeting? Have I missed you God? Well today, He revealed three things to me about this valley and He simply whispered to me, “Tiffany, these are the lessons you need to learn while you are in the valley.
1-You are protected while in the valley. To be protected means to be covered or shielded from exposure, injury, damage, or destruction. Now that definition alone should make you take a praise break. In the valley, in our low point or low and hollow condition, in our depression, God says we are protected, we are covered and shielded from exposure or injury, damage or destruction. The latter part of verse 5 of Hebrews, states, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. God protects you in the valley, because He is in the valley with you. So in the valley you can remember what Hebrews 5:6 states, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. God is with you and He protects you. Psalm 23:4, tells us that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we shall fear no evil for thou (God) is with us. His rod (mark of authority) as our Shepherd and His staff (protection) comfort me. So while in the valley remember that no one, can harm you for the Father walks beside you and He is with you ALWAYS!
2-You are provided for while in the valley. God’s word tells us that He will supply all of our needs according His riches in glory. Philippians 4:19. In the valley that provision is still there, because God is with you in the valley. He has provided ALL that you need even in the valley. The manifestation may not have come yet, but you have His word to hold on to, so hold on to it and know that you are being provided for while in the valley.
3-God will produce the new while in the valley. The word new means, having recently come into existence, being other than the former or old. While in the valley, God not only is protecting and providing for you, but He will began to produce something new in you and through you, that is why you are in the valley so that what He is stirring up in you is protected 2 Timothy 1:6, it will not be killed before it is revealed. God is doing a new thing, Isaiah 43:19. He is enlarging your territory, opening new doors, breathing new life into your body during your time in the valley. He has plans for you that are for good, to give you hope and an expected end Jeremiah 29:11. He is producing new ripe fruit for this is His desire for His children After all He has chosen you. John 15:15.
4-God prepares your future with promise. To prepare simply means to make ready before hand for some purpose or use. God is preparing your future while in the valley. You cannot become confused and complacent in your valley because it is your valley that will lead to your mountain top. This is just a divine set up for you to experience the mountaintop. God is preparing you to enter your place of promise and He is preparing it for you even in the midst of your valley experience.
God says that He is the Alpha and the Omega (the beginning and the ending)! In that alone you should rest, because if everything starts with God and ends with God, then guess what, in the end we win!! Whether on the mountain top or in the valley, we have been given victory through Christ Jesus. I encourage you to embrace your valley experience and look at what God is doing during the “valley experience” and the divine direction He is leading you. You will be amazed at the latter, which God said would be greater than the past. Haggai 2:9
©Tiffany R. Easley, 2008, 02 December, Lessons Learned In the Valley
Posted By: Tiffany Easley
Tuesday, December 16th 2008 at 9:24PM
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