Solace in The Valley
Odette
Just hold on a second! I am speaking to you, yes you. No, I am not preaching or directly explaining this Bible chapter. However, we are going to use it and relate it to life. I know I always speak on the “Mountains” that we often have to climb & how we must speak to those mountains so that they are moved. But I forgot something. We never spoke about the “Valleys” that we encounter before and sometimes after the mountain.
Hey Bloomer. I hope you are doing well & drinking plenty of water *giggles * if you aren’t, please get a glass of water because I might leave you thirsty for more when I am done. You ever read the Bible verse when David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Have you ever really reflected on that verse and related it back to your life? Neither me, until one day I was speaking to a friend of mines, and we were reflecting on my previous blog post - A Letter from Me to You: Keep Fighting & Keep Climbing. Just so I don’t ramble too much… we were basically saying that we always have mountains to climb, but what about when we hit rock bottom and have to walk through the Valley. Sure enough, a light bulb lit up in my mind. The majority of the time, valleys lead to hills and mountains. Right? Okay, good.
Note: Rock bottom has a different meaning for everyone. Some are worse than others.
So have you ever thought that maybe when you feel like you’ve reached “rock bottom,” that there is the Valley of The Shadow of Death? Think about it. When we hit rock bottom consistently, it is always one thing after another. Everything seems dark, there is nowhere to go, it’s dry, dusty, etc. We look everywhere for help but can’t get any. It’s either one of two things: go back to what led you here or trust the process and keep walking forward. I would hope you don’t go back. Instead, you would walk by faith and not by sight, even if things aren’t looking too good at the moment.
This is the moment in life you must be a David. Think about it…when he started walking in the Valley; He didn’t stop and question anything nor did he do the most human thing and complain about it. He was calm and took the bull by its horn and walked through that Valley like a boss! This is what we need to start doing. Often times we find ourselves in the “Valley of The Shadow of Death” but don’t know what to do or think. Here is a secret…Walk it. Even though it is human for us to be scared and anxious because we don’t know what is ahead, do not be afraid. Not to mention our first response is, “This is ghetto.” It is even hard for me to say this sometimes because anxiety hits me like a damn train!!
Like I said earlier, walk by faith & not by sight. STOP trying to figure out “why the hell am I here?”. Whatever you do, just trust HIM. Just know that something good is right there waiting for you at the end of that Valley besides the obvious. Just remember, as you walk the Valley, take in all the wisdom & lessons that you can. Because once you leave that Valley… HERE COME THOSE MOUNTAINS! But don’t get freaked out. Those lessons learned during the Valley will help you climb the mountain/s that are ahead.
“Never question walking through the Valley. Just keep walking; God will see you through.”
I am not perfect, and I’ve experienced a Valley before. However, I smile even though I still cry at times….I smile because of the lesson learned. Bloomer, you will get through those valleys, and if you made it this far, I AM PROUD OF YOU.