Hills and Valleys

It sometimes seems as though life is one long valley. We wonder where is the hill, when will things finally look up, we want to be out of this situation, to be passed it, or to just feel good once again. In the moment we don’t think what God could be doing in our life or growing us in. 
Sure it sucks, for the most part I am still in a valley but I trying desperately to cling to who God is, who he says I am and most of all what good is he doing in this. It can feel hopeless, depressing and frustrating but having those feelings is not sin, they are just emotions, that are indicators of where our heart is at, are we believing God is in control, that he knows what he is doing? They are not dictators, we ultimately still have control because God has given us his authority.

It can even be hard to think back to what things were like on a previous mountain top, it can be blurred behind the thoughts and lies that bombard us, is it the work of the enemy or my weak flesh? How many times will I hit the bottom before I reach the next hill top?
We don’t have do this or try this or work at this. God wants us to come to him to bring our thoughts, emotions and baggage, they are not burdens for us to bear. He wants us to talk to him, tell him our fears and weaknesses, He can use his strength to fill our weaknesses.

Let him in, allow him to be your strength, we still have free will and it is still a choice. He is everything he says is, he is always loving, an faithful. Lean into him ask him to speak to you, to show you things. Most importantly lay down your fears and burdens at his feet, he wants to carry it, and unlike us he is fully able.

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”

Romans 5:3-5 “Not only so, we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character hope.  And hope to not put us to shame, because God's love has poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who gives me strength”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”

One last thing: Tauren wells has a song called Hills and Valleys, and he also has a sermon on YouTube If you are interested in checking them out.