Every Christian has gone through a valley experience with God at some time or another. During times such as these, we feel forsaken by God like Jesus did, and we find ourselves crying out in a loud voice to God saying, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46) KJV
It’s a time when we pray, we feel like God is not listening to us. He seems silent as if He doesn’t hear us when we’re praying. However, we know that He hears us even when he doesn’t answer us right away. “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15) KJV
A valley experience is where many battles are fought in the mind, where feelings are hurt, and where our attitudes get an adjustment. Where we used to try to exalt ourselves, now we humble ourselves to God and let Him exalt us. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) KJV
While we’re in our valley experience, we sometimes feel like we’re just going through the motion in our Christian walk with God. We know we’re saved, we know we’re a Child of God, but we don’t feel it because of all the suffering and painful circumstances we’re going through at the time. That’s why in these times we can’t trust our feelings and emotions, we have to place our trust in God. “But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying you are my God.” (Psalm 31:14) NLT
When going through a valley experience, that’s the time the devil will harass us like crazy. In moments like these, we have to yield to God, resist the devil and he will leave us alone. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)KJV
Some of us have been in a valley experience for so long we feel like God has forgotten we are still there. Then, we start questioning God like David did in (Psalms 13:1) KJV “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? For ever? How long will you look the other way?” God knows how long it will take to perfect us like He wants us to be. For some of us it may be a few weeks, some a few months and some a few years, but just know, God will take us out on His time not ours.
So be encouraged today and always remember: God takes us through these valley experiences to test us and mold us in His character.
“You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.” (Psalm 66:10) NLT
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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