You know, as we walk along on this pathway called Life, there are the stretches that we walk along that are straight and smooth. Then there are the hills that take work and leave us puffing and when we get to the top... oh, the view, it stretches out and on as far as one can see and makes the upward trek worth it. Then below is the valley. We view the valley from afar and enjoy the scene from above. But if we continue to walk, we need to walk down the mountain and into the valley. But sometimes we are catapulted into it or it blindsides us and those are the ones that leave us reeling for a time. And sometimes they seem to stretch on forever. And some do... losing a partner or a child, losing eyesight, paralysis, you name your pain...
The Valley.
The Storm.
The Harsh Winds that blow.
Situations. Valleys. That are forever etched in our hearts and lives leave us gasping and trying to find shelter. It covers the path and we may find ourselves groping along and wondering who in the world is with us or even cares. Even, where is my Abba Father??
How do we live in the midst of it all?
Jennifer Rothschild wrote these words... "Even when we have faith, it's easy to feel fear when the shadows of uncertainty get thick. But, even though fear and faith can share the same heartbeat, they don't share the same perspective. That's why we need the faith perspective when it comes to our valleys. Fear focuses on the shadows. Faith focuses on the Shepherd.
Sister, even the darkest valleys aren't so dark when God is with us. He is light and His Word is a light to our paths. So ask Him for faith, and stay in His Word. When you do, your perspective will begin to change, your faith will grow, and you will see light even when your valley is dark."
"When you can't change your valley, change your perspective."
The time was right and those words penetrated my weary and faltering heart. I still wasn't sure what to do with those words, but the Lord used them to paint a picture. (I think in pictures and analogies...)
In the valley there are stones, rough patches, but there are also flowers, ferns; maybe a brook running through and even a butterfly. Some days the sun shines and I feel the warmth penetrate my body and I feel warm. Other days the winds blow and I search for shelter, a place of refuge and I huddle.
I felt the whisper deep in my heart... it all depends on what you want to focus on. In the valley there are both... the hard and the joys.
To live one must grieve. And to focus on the joys is not a denial of the hard. And when you grieve the hard stuff... whatever you are facing... it frees you to live.
Romans 8:26 ... but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Another picture I had was of stones...
I kept stumbling over the disappointments, the being misunderstood, the losses, and the pain and I saw them as stones (because that's what often trips us up) and some even felt like a boulder (because some are so big and heavy we feel crushed beneath the weight of pain and we can't see beyond it for the moment). I kept stubbing my toes on them and not being able to see past others, and then...
Romans 8:28 And all things work together for good to those who love God.
I wonder how it was put there.... I'm sure no man lifted it and set it there. There was another force, another help to place it there. I wonder if that can be the mountain that is moved by prayer and fasting??? Matthew 17:20-21
All I know is that there are some pain and hard that healing really is only possible because of Jesus.
There is a way to live when one is so broken. It is not to deny what is but it is to focus on what also is.
It is not to deny or stuff what hurts or is hard but the other side of the coin is the joys and beauty that is also present. We get to choose what we focus on and to live the dance of the hard and the broken with the beauty and joys that are also present.
Ahh... a strong breeze of hope swept over my soul and anchored it in the knowledge of God's love for me. All the time.
Hope.
The Breath of Fresh Air.
Many times I felt as if God was in the room but not with me or near me. God has given me the picture of a sheep huddled in a crevice or cave and He/Jesus is standing outside the doorway, protecting, seeing, while healing or quiet was happening inside... inside my heart. Even though all I could see and feel was my pain and tears. The aloneness and questions haunted my days.
But like they say, hindsight is 20/20 or at least closer to that. I am seeing God's presence framing the doorway as love. His protection as a gift. My heart swells with the confidence that He loves. Me.
One of Jesus' many promises....
Isaiah 43:1-3 ... Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and through the waters, they will not overflow (overwhelm) you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel your Saviour;
God be with, dear reader. God IS with you whether you feel it or not. I am saying it for you just in case your faith is weak. And if it's strong, go forth and walk in that confidence.
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