The Sun Still Shines: Finding Hope in Life’s Valleys
Life in the Valley
The sun still shines down in the valley, you know?
The dusty ground beneath our feet weary in those overwhelming ravines of life is the same exact fertile soil as the mere dust from which God created us. We all spend time in the valleys. Some of us, more time than others.
Strength for the Journey
Sometimes, we simply have to muster up every ounce of our weakness and prepare to hand it over in exchange for our Heavenly Father’s almighty strength…
…trusting that the overwhelming turbulence of walking through the valley
…hunkering down and facing our storm–
–our battle…
–our overwhelming journey…
–our heart-crushing waiting period…
…will bring us to a better, more peaceful place.
The Purpose Hidden in the Valley
Yet, sometimes? Sometimes, we simply forget…
…the valleys are the holy depths that actually lead us from mountaintop-to-mountaintop in life. Because, our Heavenly Father? He never wastes our pain. Our valleys each have a handsewn purpose all their own.
When We Can’t See What God Is Doing
Sometimes it feels as though our struggles are without meaning. Our pain and anguish without significance. Our idiosyncrasies without direction.
For, when we are in the depths of life’s unraveling…
…we don’t always see it.
…we don’t always feel it.
…we don’t always notice it.
His
…working…
…healing…
…rebuilding…
…performing miracles…
…showering us in the everyday monotony of life.
No Valley Is Too Deep
What we far-too-often forget is that no valley is ever too deep, for no depth is too far from our Father’s reach. No misstep is too far from His mercy and forgiveness. No lack of faith is too scarred, broken or wounded for His healing hands.
The God Who Heals and Restores
Because, our God?
Our God is a Healer.
A miracle-worker.
The Way maker.
Our Promise-Keeper.
Designed with Purpose
And, when He designed each of us?
He designed each and every purpose in our lives from the moment He crafted the depths of our souls. He knew of our pain to come. Each and every one of us. And, He sent His only Son to show us that He fully understands our pain. Pain hand-wrapped in grand and bittersweet purpose–so much purpose.
Never Alone in the Valley
God doesn’t promise a life without valleys and battles. He simply promises He will not leave us alone to walk through any one of them.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; … do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Gracefully Woven by Elizabeth Spenner
https://www.facebook.com/GracefullyWovenbyElizabethSpenner
https://www.gracefullywoven.net/about-gracefully-woven
Keywords from today’s blog:
the sun still shines
hope in the valley
walking through the valley
God’s purpose in suffering
God never wastes our pain
God’s faithfulness
strength for the journey
never alone in the valley
Isaiah 41:10
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