I remember times in my life when it was a blessing that nothing bad happened because I had no money to pay for it. I would love to tell you that my faith got me through my fears, but the truth is that I was young and carefree. I don’t think I had any fears about living paycheck to paycheck. I also knew that if something happened, I could always go home – even if I really wanted to handle it on my own.
Now that I am older and much less carefree, when I run I run to God.
How do you handle the valleys?
We’ve all seen valleys. What we do when we are in them is a reflection of our faith and of how surrendered we are to the will of God for our life.
The week prior to my father passing away, God provided for my family over and over and over again. God rained blessings and provisions upon us in the storm. I clearly saw how God orchestrated event after event. He lined things up like only He could so that needs were met. I had not ever been so aware before of His constant and ongoing moment-by-moment involvement in the details of our lives.
I will never forget it.
We need to realize that God is at work in our valleys. It’s in the valleys that we grow spiritually. It’s in the valleys that He brings us around to what He wants us to see, and it is in the valleys where we experience God’s hand of protection and provision.
When our attitude and reliance upon God is as it needs to be, we are more likely to notice God at work.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:10-13
Paul could say this – that he could truly be content in any state – because he had experienced many things in his life. In Acts, we read of Paul and Silas sitting in a jail cell singing after they had been beaten.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Acts 16:25
When we walk closely with the Lord, we can see His hand of grace. As we praise God, we are a witness to those around us. What a testimony by Paul and Silas to what an awesome God we serve!
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Psalms 34:1-2
Today’s challenge is to remember that God provides what we need even in the storms. He doesn’t take His eyes off of us. He knows what we need. Remember to thank Him for His provisions and blessings, and praise Him for His loving care.