Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Valley of Brokenness


A definition of a valley is:  A long-sunken area with a river or stream running through it and surrounded by higher ground.

If you have been in a “valley of brokenness” then look at the above definition again for valley. Yes, there is a long-sunken area, but there is a river that runs through the valley, and the valley is surrounded by higher ground. When you’re in the valley, God is that river running through and He provides the higher ground.
Have you experienced being broken by life’s circumstances? Have you felt deep pain and sorrow in your life and just do not know what to do; or where to turn? Your heart has felt pain that has been unbearable to you, and you are not sure if God really does care or does have a plan. You may even feel you have been given a raw deal in your life. I do understand pain and brokenness, and I have visited the “valley of brokenness” more then I would like to have.  What is the valley of brokenness? Being so down you can not see up anymore. You have been beat down by life’s circumstances, and you can not see a way out. It feels hopeless and dark in the valley. You may even feel like giving up, you just can not see a way out.  But, look up, God will provide higher ground in your valley.

I know Jesus is well-aquainted with pain and sorrow. He has suffered and has experienced deep pian and sorrow. He really does understand our pain.

Save me , O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck,
I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Psalm 69:1-3, NKJV

A great book to read in the Bible is the book of Ruth. Naomi, in the book of Ruth is very well acquainted with deep sorrow and pain; yet she is an inspiration for others going through pain and sorrow. Naomi lost her only two sons and a husband. She became a widow and poor. She endured much grief and sorrow, but never lost her faith or trust in God. In the end, God redeemed her and brought her many blessings into her life. Her life and circumstances appeared hopeless and impossible, her valley was deep but she saw the river running through the valley and the higher ground that God was still trustworthy.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3, NKJV

If you want God’s peace through all trials and heartaches, keep your eyes on Him. When we are devoted to Christ, like Naomi was, we remain stable and have a steady attitude. We are never alone in our deepest valleys; God is always with us, guiding us, leading us, and bringing His comfort.

Don’t despair if you are going through a deep valley of brokenness. Trust God no matter what it looks like. Go back and read the entire book of Ruth, it will encourage you.

A definition of trust is: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and surety of a person and a confident expectation of something; hope. Put your trust in God, and wait for Him.

Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And let my cry come to You.
Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
Incline your ear to me;
In the day I call, answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke,
And my bones are burned like a hearth.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass,
So that I forgot to eat my bread.
Because the sound of my groaning
My bones cling to my skin.
I am like a pelican in the wilderness;
I am like an owl of the desert;
I lie awake,
And like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
Psalm 102:1-7

With God nothing is impossible. He truly can make a stream in the desert and a road in the wilderness. Do not underestimate what God can do in your circumstances. Sometimes we have to let go of what we have been holding onto so God can do a new thing. Let your past go, and go forward to what God wants to do in your life now. Yes, you may have to grief over your losses and heal from the brokenness, but when that season has passed, make sure you are open to God’s next season for you. He will not keep you in despair, heartache, and discouragement forever. There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. There is a season for everything, a time to mourn, and a time to rejoice. Grab hold of God’s new season for you, and let your valley of brokenness turn into your mountain of victory.

Contact Stephanie @ www.christianhopecounseling.com


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