Sometimes in life we find ourselves lost in dense, overgrown, spiritual valleys. Some are smaller, still difficult and sorrowful, but easier to find a way out. Others are huge, dark, and oppressive. The kind where the pain is so deep and so intense that it literally cripples you emotionally and mentally. You get frightened and frustrated. You try to forge ahead on your own, blaze your own trail, doing what seems right to you. Only to find more more trees, more thorns, more confusion, or worse, that you’re going in circles. All the while there are people in your life who are able to see the whole valley that you’re in. They can see the way you should go, when all you can see is the patch of thick brush in front of you. Some of them have even been in this same valley before. They are telling you the way you should go and what you need to do to get out.
Now you have a choice to make; a hard, painful decision. Do you trust them as God-given wise counsel, humbling yourself to take the path they have laid out for you? Or do you continue hacking away at your own path because it’s comfortable, and because you’re afraid to let others make decisions for you? They see from the outside-in. They can see the bigger picture. You’ve begged and prayed for wisdom and guidance. God is giving it – through them. The path they laid out will still be painful and long. You will want to stop, question, turn back. The really good news is yes, Jesus is always with us; but also our wise friends will walk the path with us, reminding us of God’s love, reminding us of the right path, reminding us of the goal. So keep fighting through the brush and thorns of their path. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Scratches, tears, blood, and all… Just. Keep. Walking. Persevere! Because the end is freedom from the valley, wisdom for the next, and a deeper trust in the faithfulness of our Father.
When we find ourselves in these types of overwhelming valleys we begin to realize that we are dealing with much more than just some current issue. Feelings of rejection, abandonment, resentment, betrayal and many more are signs that we have some deeply rooted pain that we have never fully dealt with. And in His mercy, God is using current situations to reveal the deeper work that He wants to do in our hearts; the initially very painful work which leads to long term freedom.
I’m sharing in the hope that my transparency will serve to help and encourage others. Also, when we share our struggles and bring them to the light they begin to lose some of their power over us.
I’m currently walking through just such a valley. At first I thought it was just because of multiple current circumstances. But the Lord is graciously revealing that He is pruning away lies and healing hurts that have been hanging around in the shadows of my heart for decades. He is dredging up all that pain and brokenness I thought I had dealt with. I have the choice to confront it head on and allow Him to heal those parts of my heart, or run away and find ways to deal with it on my own as I have done in the past. I definitely haven’t handled things perfectly this time. I have tried at times to do things my own way, only causing more hurt and confusion, and prolonging the healing process. Thank God I have people in my life who are walking with me, loving me and encouraging me daily (often multiple times a day) as I struggle to face those hurts and fears, and trust in the promises of Christ! Because I want the freedom only He can give.
If you happen to be in one of those deep valleys, take heart, Christ has overcome the world, which includes your brokenness. Also, you are not alone. Others are struggling or have struggled with similar issues and are willing to walk with you. Find someone or a small group of people you can be honest with and let them walk with you and guide you. We need each other. We share each other’s burdens. Don’t give up. Don’t turn back. Face your fears and do the painful work now which will bring long-term freedom (preaching to myself).
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. [21] Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 24:6
for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
James 1:2-5
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.