By PSALMS 23:4 NIV. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Have you ever been in a valley? Probably so. I think we all have at one time or another. But have you been so deep that you thought you would never be able to climb out? Yeah, me too. I was there not too long ago, I had myself in a situation that put me deep in that valley and I was scared that I wouldn’t get back out. Maybe some of you are in that same place right now. I didn’t have any idea which way my life was going to go from there on. So many terrible thoughts were going through my mind. How did this happen? I KNEW I had messed up…but this was serious.
I had to leave a job that I loved. I felt betrayed somewhat by some of my co-workers; why didn’t they step in and help me when I needed it? I was having anxiety attacks…something I had never dealt with before. I had trouble sleeping, and cried out loud and silently a lot. Those close to me that knew what I was going through wanted to help… but I didn’t even know what to tell them. I didn’t know myself what would help me at that point.
I had to go through some tough inquiries and after each one I just hoped I had said the right thing. I knew what the consequences could be for me and it scared me beyond imagination. I felt like I was just going through the motions of life, when was this going to end??
I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let this take over my life anymore. I needed to start climbing out of that valley… and start climbing up that mountain. So… what did I do? What I should have done from the beginning. I took it to God, I prayed to him that I believed without a doubt that He would help me through this. When I woke up in the middle of the night, I prayed. Anytime the negative thoughts came knocking, I prayed.
All of a sudden, I realized I was starting to move up that mountain. Satan kept throwing his best shot at me. He was trying to knock me back down into that valley. He would throw doubt in my head and tell me that I wasn’t worthy of protection from God. Satan will do that and it is so easy to believe him…but don’t let him get in your head.
A song that always seemed to help me was “Turn It Over” by Zach Williams. The words are so on point. The more I talked to God, the more I knew He was taking care of me. I received a letter that resolved me of anything…. Hallelujah!! God took me under his wing and protected me. He has plans for me and no one can take that away.
I changed my whole outlook on prayer, reading his word, and worship. I dug myself out of that valley and climbed that mountain, but only with Him beside me every step of the way was it possible. I am a daughter of the King.. and I know he will be with me in any situation that comes before me. I pray that this will help someone that is in a valley right now. DON’T EVER GIVE UP… Just give it to God.
Lou Ann Virden is the author of the blog Farmhouse, Coffee and Jesus. She is very active in her church. She volunteers in the food pantry, usher/greeter team, and cleaning crew. She is on the prayer team, is over the sound room team, and she writes the newsletter for her church. Lou Ann and her husband Donnie will be relaunching The Refuge 180 Evangelism Ministry. They have been married for over 40 years. They live on her husband’s family farm with their dog Hunter. In the summer they are busy canning what they harvest from their garden. Her hobbies include going to the beach, reading, camping, and serving however she can. She hopes that her blogs inspires someone that might be dealing with a similar situation.
by leaps and bounds 