Devotionals
Valleys are a Must
As I share the message God has given me it is with mixed emotions that I do so. Let me explain.
Since Greg and I have been in Texas we have seen very little rain. We have experienced mostly sunny, warm days. We are now going through a time period in which almost on any given day you can turn on the radio or the TV and hear news about a fire that has destroyed homes, land, and buildings. You can drive down the major roads and read the warning signs about the high level of fire danger; asking people to be extremely careful. There is a ban on outside fires, burning trash, and even cooking on grills. Not only is the threat of fires a concern, water is becoming a concern. There are suggestions that if it don't rain soon, people will be restricted from using an abundance of water. We need rain. We need dark, cloudy days.
As I began to think about this God shared some insights with me. To make things grow farmers need sunshine and warm weather. But what is also needed is rain. Cloudy days. Farmers enjoy rainy, dark, cloudy days; they know their crops are going to grow on those days. I love the sunshine and never thought I'd be one to pray for rain. I never even thought I'd get discouraged when I got up of a morning and saw the sun.
God reminded me that is the same way with our lives. We can't have happy, sunny days forever. It would be nice, but we need some rain in our lives. You see those times that are difficult for us, those are our rainy days. Those are the days we are growing; growing closer to God. On those days we can't see the sunlight, so we have to trust God for our well being. We have to know God is using those times to help us grow in not only our faith, but our trust in Him. It would be nice if we could have mountain top experiences or sunny days forever, but unfortunately we don't always grow during those times. Those times are times for us to sing God's praises, and to be thankful for all He has done. Yes, we should sing praises to God in those valley times too, and yes we should be thankful for all He has done, but when it is raining or we are in the valley it is not always easy to do so.
As I look back on my own life, I know for me, when I was going through those rainy dark times, in my life, I was learning to give up control, learning to depend on God, and learning to trust Him. I know I wouldn't be where I am at today or I would not have the relationship I have with God now if I had not had some of those dark cloudy days in my own life. Just like the farmers need the rain, we need the rain in our own lives.
In Chapter 5 of Romans it reminds us, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us".
So why do I write this with mixed emotions? Because I, just like you do not want any bad, dark dreary days, yet I know, I must have them in order for my faith to be made more alive in Christ.
I am praying for rain and in God's timing it will come. But while I am waiting I am praying, trusting God and growing in the knowledge that He knows best. In my own life things are going along pretty smoothly, I am having sunny days. Some days are cloudy, but I, right now am not having any dark, miserable days, but they are coming; they have too. And when they do, I know I will be sustained by God, given hope, and my faith will be made stronger.
My prayer is for each of you to have your sunny days, but I also pray God will allow some rainy days to come into your life, so you will see God sustaining you, strengthening you. I pray for you during those times that your faith and trust in Him will be made stronger.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust..." Psalm 18:2
"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray". James 5:13
note: this was written in January 2006
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