“You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me” Luke 22: 28-29
It is so easy to worship and give God all the praise and glory when things are going good in our lives, for me I can’t seem to quit smiling and thanking him for all he has done specifically during those times. I am sure most can agree with this, but what happens when we are in the trenches? The low valleys are when we question, where is God? And why did he allow this to happen? We become angry, scared, hurt and unloved. Perhaps we lash out all the negative emotions we feel at our loved ones or perhaps even God. He or they don’t deserve any of the hurt, do they?
I’ve come to learn it is during the valley’s that show our true character and we find out what God is revealing to us about ourselves and who we really are. He already knows us better than we know ourselves. To grow in our trust and faith, he will allow the valley’s to be placed in our paths. Isn’t that what a teacher does, test us on our knowledge?
In my valley’s I used to think, I’m doing a purpose for him which could be so but if you think about it he may be trying to tell us something we don’t want to know or realize. In many cases, I can honestly say I’ve always thought I knew what I wanted or desired, but now I often wonder do I really know anything. We can pray for God’s will but deep down we want this or that to happen. Remember, we are human.
Maybe he allows us to go through things to show us what we don’t want. We pray for the desires of our heart, but when he answers the prayer, sometimes I have realized why did I want this? I have prayed for things in my life for so long to happen but then sometimes I realized God answered my prayer only for me to figure out this isn’t what I thought it would be or wanted. I realized I was in a valley and I was angry at God for allowing me to be there but in reality I put myself there because God answered my prayer.
I have to believe God has a great sense of humor or at least with me he has too. Lord knows of the consistent prayers I’ve prayed to him to answer and for him to see me get so frustrated when the prayer was answered. This is when my ‘true character’ was revealed. I think this is when we learn to truly surrender to ‘his will’ because what I think is my heart’s desire isn’t the best for me. He will reveal it to you if you are open to it I assure you. If you’re not, it’s like your life will be in repeat mode.
I want my character to be revealed to stand with him in the trials and in the valleys as well as on the mountain top. I want to truly want his will in my life. It does get tiresome to be on repeat mode in this life. We only have one life to live and I want God to make the most of it because I am sure he just sits up there laughing at me, shaking his head and smiling saying, ‘here we go again’. So today I thank God for all the crazy notions he has put up from me for thinking I know what I want. Today, I choose to truly want God’s will in my life. So what is your true character say about you? Are you willing to stand in front of his mirror? Learn to trust him in all things and be accountable for your own actions, otherwise; your life just may be in repeat mode.
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Thank You, Linda!
Like this post a lot! The words speak volumes and touch my own heart as similar thoughts have briefly crossed my mind when in the valleys.
Amen, love this, Linda, great to see you blogging again :)! I heard it said once (maybe paraphrasing) "who we are under pressure, is who we are". It's like being squeezed and the problem stuff comes out so that God can help us deal with it. Without that, it would just stay there, festering, and probably blow up in an even worse way :).
Thank you for sharing.
Great message Linda, something to think about for sure! I am guilty of the same behavior of thanking and trusting when things look good but oh when things are not good or the way I want them I can sure get an attitude. Something to work on so I don't go into repeat mode over and over again. Nice to hear from you Linda and pray you are doing well :)
Amen and Amen! Thank you for this timely message for all of us, and yes I want to stand with my Lord in all the deep valleys as I'll on top of every mountain. It is so hard, when we are in the deepest of valleys, and we often forget that our Lord is right there with us! May He give us His strength to endure and to thank Him and praise Him in all circumstances, in Jesus name I pray! Love you sister <3
Thank you Holy Spirit for this tmely message spoken through your servant Linda. I thank God for helping me realize this in my life.To ask Him, "Who am I really?" I want the same thing,to be the same person in private as well as public. I know I am His child through the blood of Jesus and therefore;I want not to be easily discouraged and lose hope either for moments in everyday life. I want to be spiritually balanced and consistent through Him. Thank you Linda for putting this message to words. So good to hear from you again and may God continue to bless you and yours.
The Israelites walked around the same mountain for 40 years while murmuring and complaining. Face that test with the right attitude or you will usually take it again. Take another lap. Great post Linda. :)