CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONAL

Survivor's Guide for Valley Experiences

By Vicki Berchtold

There is absolutely no doubt that we will experience difficulties in our lives, it is inevitable! Many view life problems and trials as a metaphor of valley and hilltop experiences. The mountain top periods are great, encouraging and inspiring, which help us persevere through the valley times. I have found that the valley experiences tend to last longer than what I desire, they are harder than I expect and they are more costly than I would like. Sometimes, I just want the valley experiences or negative times to end. However, it is through the valleys and trials that God teaches us, molds us and transforms us.

Trials provide a time for our faith to grow, because we are challenged to surrender more of our life, family, possessions, talents, dreams, desires and even our finances to God. Through the surrendering process, we then become more like Christ. In James 1:2-3, James has some strong words regarding trials, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers; whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…" So, those hard to get through valleys can be seen as faith building experiences.

This Survivor's Guide for Valley Experiences gives four steps you can take to help you through the valleys.

1. Praise is vital to get through the valleys. When we take the time to praise God for His answers, His attributes and salvation, we are getting our eyes off our problems and focusing on God's greatness. Sometimes praising God seems almost impossible, but take a look at the book of Psalms, it is jammed packed with praises. If you just start reading some of the praises out loud, God will inhabit your praise and you will be blessed, strengthened and rejuvenated, ready to handle life's difficulties.

2. Prayer is the lifeline between you and God; it is you talking to God. Through prayer, you can share with God your problems, concerns and fears, which God will hear and answer according to His will. As you give your request to God, He will fill you with His heavenly peace. Phil. 4:7 said, "The peace that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

3. Meditating on God's word, is a time when God speaks to you. He will strengthen, encourage and direct you, as you read and study His word. God encourages us to be still before Him, so that we can hear what He has to tell us. Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I am God".

4. Serving Others - God asks us to show His love by helping, encouraging and serving others. When we serve others, it has positive affects: others are blessed and we are blessed. Serving others, also, helps us get our eyes off ourselves and on to another person. James 1:27 - "Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

As Christians, we have God's promises that He will help us, encourage us, uplift us and supply our needs during the difficult times. In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes, "The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting Him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant." So as you go through problems remember the four steps from the Survivor's Guide: Praise, Prayer, Meditate and Serve Others. God will teach and transform you during the valley experiences.

Isaiah 40:29-31 - "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the

weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings

like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."