What if the Valley Brings the Greatest Joy?

Life is a series of mountains and valleys, of highs and lows, of being told, “it’s happening” and then being told, “not right now.” And although I would love to tiptoe from mountaintop to mountaintop, I can’t deny that in my lowest moments, God does His best work in and through me. Being completely unraveled and reaching the end of myself, I need someone bigger and wiser (besides my devious inner-thoughts) to rebuild and revive my heart. Praying to God does this, especially in the valley.

What if the unfortunate events that happen to me and others bring the most good in our walk with God? What if the mountains help prepare us for the valley? What if descending into a valley brings out the most glory for God? 

A spotlight magnifying my weaknesses allows me to shine even more brightly for God. As I learn of others’ despair and process my own, I desperately need to remember God’s faithfulness through the darkest events in my life. 

Valley 1

Miscarriages are devastating. When Jonathan and I endured our miscarriages, every night I went to sleep begging God to take this cup from me.

God, I can’t do this again. I can’t feel this way again. Please, take this heartache from my soul. I just…can’t.

Father, you know in my heart that we want a baby. A child to raise as our own. Whatever your will, that’s what we want. But this sadness is too much to bear. I can’t get through a day without remembering. Without breaking down inside. Why? Why does it have to be this way?

Dear Jesus, everyday seems to be the same. I know you are good and everything you have given you can take away. You are a good father who delights in good gifts. But Lord, I am so sad and jealous of those around me who seem to have everything that I want. Please take this away from me.

After our first miscarriage, I was heartbroken, perplexed, and so viciously angry. But I still had hope that we could do it again; we could make another baby (on my timeline, as I’ve written before). After our second miscarriage, I was completely broken. My hope and excitement were crushed under the devastation. I just wanted another baby, yet God didn’t have this in His plans for me just yet.

So I prayed, and not just for another baby, but for this sadness to leave me and for God’s perfect timing. And prayer warriors surrounded me and my husband, enveloping us in God’s tangible love.

Valley 2

The news of suicide is horrific to hear, yet I still am unsure why I was completely undone for someone I had met a handful of times. One of my “strengths” is empathy towards others, but I had never before felt this heartbroken for someone else’s pain. This suicide of my friend’s cousin completely shattered my heart. Tears poured from my eyes night after night as I laid in bed praying, asking, shouting.

God, why does it have to be this way? Could we have helped? Was there something that could have been said or done that would have changed his decision?? We know you are mighty and powerful: you speak and the dead rise. Please comfort family in this time. We beg you for your peace. 

Lord, we lay our hearts at your altar and we humbly ask you to fill us up with your almighty peace. How could this have happened? How could you let this happen? We are in complete shock.

Father God, please take this heartache. I pray for his family. Please wrap your arms around them and comfort them in the only way you can. 

After my friend’s cousin committed suicide, I had no words to comfort my friend, no words to make it right. All I could do was pray for peace and understanding for my friend, for his family, for everyone affected by the suicide. 

And in the quiet of the night, on a tear-drenched pillow, I heard two simple words “Be still.”

Valley 3

Postpartum hormones tormented my head and heart, especially when I focused on myself and my sorrows. With a “woe is me” attitude, I could become very internal and “stuff” all the emotions I was feeling, like shoving rocks into a backpack. Feeling the weight of depressing emotions had a tendency to drag me down. Yet, I prayed to a God outside of myself.

Jesus, here comes the darkness again. I can’t handle it. I don’t know why I feel this way besides the obvious post-pregnancy blues. Please, Lord, help me to overcome these sad feelings.

Father, I feel so alone with my thoughts. I feel so dark and the enemy wants to torment me with past sins. You have forgiven me, I am not alone. You are my rock, my shepherd, my everything. Please lift me from this pit that I have been thrown into.

Lord, you are good, and you love me so much more than I could ever comprehend. Although still a sinner, you took my place and died for my sin. How could I not believe you are for me? I am not alone.

I had no other option except to pray. My thoughts were so dark during that time, and my husband, sweet man, would do all he could do to help me out of this sorrow. But the prayers we said together were my biggest hope and strength.

We prayed to bind the enemy and to place a hedge of protection around our home. Writing emerged as a white flag, a truce between my inner-turmoil and God’s truth for me.

So here’s the question…

What if the act of praying is more powerful than an actual yes or no answer?

Every day, through each valley, I woke up with the same prayers, different words. Reminding myself of how big, mighty, and wonderful God is and asking Him to take away my {sadness, circumstance, friend’s torment, etc}. And to beg for peace, to feel His presence, and to ask Him to stay with me and the ones I love and not leave us alone.

When I think of prayer as talking with God, I learn more about Him.

Through my weakness, He is able to draw the deepest parts of my heart to the surface so that I am completely vulnerable in front of Him. This would be terrifying if God were a cold-hearted doctor performing open-heart surgery, not caring about the outcome of the intense procedure. But He cares so much.

Although an examination of any kind is still terrifying, God brings me to my knees…because He desperately wants to slow me down and talk with me. And to pour out His love on me, reminding me that He loves me now, He has loved me then, and will continue to love me through everything.

What if remembering the faithfulness of God brings the greatest joy in our lowest moments?

At the beginning of Psalm 42, David is downcast. This is an understatement because David cries that his tears have been his food day and night (Psalm 42:3). As David admits that his soul is disheartened, it’s important to note his transition to remembrance. 

Verse 4 begins, “These things I remember as I pour out my soul…” David is reminding himself of God’s faithfulness and how David sang and gave thanks when his circumstances were different. 

And how powerful is this?

The simple act of remembrance brings the most soul-satisfying fruit. In my weakest, darkest moments, God has already prepared a way for me. He is the lamp to my feet. By reminding myself of all the good God has done through each tragedy I have faced, I have hope as I remember that God’s faithfulness has pulled me up each steep hill. Maybe I don’t get the answer that I want (or even an answer at all), but I can’t deny all the growth, healing, and learning that takes place in the pouring out of my soul to God.

How do we remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness in our most trying times?

Journaling

Through my journaling, I am able to look at where I have been and what God has brought me through. Sometimes I find my prayers are the same from then and now, crying out for the same peace, clarity, and provision. But as I remember events that have happened, I can see how God has been with me every step of the way.

Talking with a wise friend

Maybe you don’t journal, but you have friends who have endured those difficult times with you. Maybe you have prayer warriors who have fought alongside you as you cried on their shoulder. Talk with them and let them help remind you of all God has done. You may not be able to see it now if you are currently in a deep valley, but your friend will help you remember.

Taking some time to quietly reflect

Sometimes the most simple thing is the hardest. Taking time to sit quietly, allowing God to speak His presence into you, is sometimes the most difficult thing to do. Distraction fills my mind anytime I try to do this well. But it is so important to do this regularly. I will say, the less time I spend in the quiet talking with God, the harder and faster I fall into the valley. When God is not my sole focus, the wind and waves always get the best of me. Taking time to quiet your soul and ask God to remind you of all that He has done is life-changing.

Your Turn

Do you need reminders of how good God has been? Reminders of how faithful He has been? Will you turn your worrying thoughts into prayer, first thanking God for who He is and then asking Him to bring to mind all the ways He has helped you? Sometimes the best way to move forward is to remind yourself what God has brought you through. Take a few moments to remember just how faithful He has been.

Prayer

Sweet Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are so much bigger, so much more powerful than the valleys. Thank you for your unwavering faithfulness even when I become blind to all that you have done and when I forget in the midst of my current circumstances. Please help me to remember what you have done in all areas of my life. Thank you, Jesus, that you and you alone are enough for all the valleys I’ve faced and the valleys that are yet to come. It’s in your precious name we pray, Amen.