Praise the Lord! In my article last month, I stated that a sizable portion of life in this world is spent navigating in the valley, but we live in both the valley and mountain experiences simultaneously (at the same time). I asked for your feedback on whether you agreed or disagreed. I enjoyed reading the responses received and thought you all would too.

I agree with your perspective that a significant portion of life is spent in the valleys. These challenging moments often shape our character and resilience. It's in these valleys where we learn, grow, and develop empathy, which can enrich our mountain experiences.

However, I also believe that while we may physically be in a valley, our mindset can elevate us. It’s possible to find joy and gratitude even in difficult times, which can create a sense of balance between the two experiences. This duality is crucial; the mountains give us joy, but the valleys provide context and depth to that joy.

In essence, both experiences are vital to our journey. They teach us to appreciate the highs and navigate the lows with grace.

****************************************

I agree with you. I believe that as people of God, we can have valley experiences and the mountaintop experience simultaneously. We live in a fallen world full of sin and evil and, as humans, we are sinful by nature. As a result, we are continually faced with trials and we experience suffering. This is the valley experience that humans are doomed to live in.

But then God! It is through the incredible gift of Jesus’ redemptive blood that humans have been reconciled back to our Creator. By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are born anew and do not have to stay doomed to the valley experience--here on earth or for eternity. As we truly put our faith and trust is Jesus and go through trials in our lives, we mature spiritually and realize what an unwavering, loyal, trustworthy, merciful, loving God we serve. It is this knowledge of the Father, the intimate relationship we are blessed to have (should we seek Him) that allows us to have the mountain top experience while simultaneously navigating the valley experience(s).

****************************************

I agree with the statement that valleys and mountains are both necessary. For me, however, the Valleys have been the most rewarding part of this salvation journey. It was in the Valley that God helped me find my sense of purpose. There are moments when it seems that more things are dark or broken than they are good, but Jeremiah 18:4 gives me hope that God can make the broken or lowest places into something new and beautiful again. My valley enables me to expand and refine my faith so that when I am on the mountaintop I can let my light shine. As it states in Matthew 5:14-16

[14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. That we must be a witness of light to men in our community. Knowing my valley is not for me but to help light up the community, a city, a world that is in darkness.

****************************************

I agree with this statement. As a child, I was not taught about the mountain experience or how to go in the direction to change or fix or celebrate the mountains that I made. When I became an adult I started to see my Valley experience and how to work on them by looking at the past and what I need to do to better myself so I read my bible with my children as a guide to help us keep knowing the Lord even though sometimes I didn't understanding but I kept reading and God will show you what to do the Bible is a guide for me.

God forsook His own Son...so that He would never have to forsake you! And because of those dark hours two thousand years ago, God can say to [you], “I will never leave you...I will never forsake you”

~Joni Eareckson Tada

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you. Genesis 28:15

Before you have a problem, the Father has a solution. I am with you; I have saved you and you have been given eternal life. It's the promises of the Word that lead and guide you until you see the Father face-to-face. It is up to you; You must make the daily decision to read the Word and allow the Spirit to use it to work within you. You have the Word to inspire you and instruct you. And you've been given the gift of the Spirit to fill you with strength and hope as you walk out your faith.

When you're tempted to doubt and give up the fight of faith... hold on. It may not seem like your prayers are being answered, but the Father is at work in your life at every moment in ways that go unseen, unnoticed and are often taken for granted. When difficulties arise, you're tempted to believe that I am not with you and that's when you must walk by faith, relying on what I promised you and not living according to how things seem or appear.

When in doubt, run back to the promises, knowing that anything you face in life, the uncertainties, the unexpected overwhelming situations are held in the loving and faithful hands of the Father. Many times, His blessings are in disguise. His power brings the dead to life, He brings light out of darkness and His power will be with you wherever you go. He's watching over you and I am walking with you.

Faith thoughts: You'll continually face overwhelming situations and you'll be tempted to give up on God right before the miracle happens. Trust Him for what you think you can't and find peace and knowing that He is always with you, watching preparing blessings for you before you need them.

Source: Hill, C. (2022). In A Journey with Jesus: Trusting Jesus Amidst the Storms of Life and Experiencing the Perfect Peace of His Presence (pp. 126). Christian Art Publisher.

Perhaps you think idols are objects of wood, stone, or metal worshiped by ancient civilizations or primitive peoples. That perception is accurate, but the Bible‘s point of view of idolatry fundamentally involves allowing anything or anyone to stand in place of God.

The ancient Babylonians fashioned many idols for both public and private worship (Isaiah 46:6-7). But the Lord ridiculed this practice, for the gods of Babylon were impotent: they had to be hand-carried as they were unable to move on their own, they were mute and they were powerless.

Yet, as we read the Lord‘s rebuke in Isaiah, it is worth considering the extent which people practice forms of idolatry today. For example, modern society has come to rely so heavily on technology and government to solve its problems that many people no longer feel a need for God. They seem to place as much faith in human ingenuity as the ancients placed in their carved images.

Likewise, certain psychotherapies, practically do away with any need for God and scriptures. Instead, they rely on their own principles and methods to deal with guilt and sin, and to make people healthy and whole. They hold out the promise that people can become all that they were meant to be apart from God.

A third form of modern idolatry is actually a relic of ancient idolatry. Many people today dabble in occult practices using physical objects, such as Ouija boards, tarot cards and crystals to tell fortunes and receive supernatural messages. Likewise, horoscopes are as popular as ever, and those who promote them even boast in the fact, that astrology (on which horoscopes are based) was heavily practiced in ancient Babylon. Forms of idolatry such as these may be more sophisticated than the shrine set up by the ancient pagans, but they are idolatry just the same--they have been made to stand in place of God.

The Lord will not allow those who practice these things to go unpunished. Consider His judgment on the Babylonians (Isaiah 47:10-15). Is there any reason why He would not pour out just as much wrath on idolaters today? He still hates idolatry (Deuteronomy 7: 25-26). The first and second commandments are still there (Exodus 20:2-6). And the Lord is still who He declared Himself to be to the ancients: “I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9).

Source: Radmacher, E. D. (Ed.). (2007). New King James Study Bible. Thomas Nelson