In life, we have both sunshine and shadows, bitter and sweet, happiness and sadness, joys and sorrows, as well as mountains and valleys. Variety and contrast are what give life balance on this side of heaven and make it a wonderful thing. And when you consider life in light of this fact, you’ll realize that even problems, or other things that seem bad in our lives, aren’t as bad as they seem. And sometimes, they can even turn out to be good! For example, when storm clouds form at dusk, they usually look scary because they indicate a storm is coming, but at dusk, they make a beautiful sunset.
In most cases in this life, it’s the time we spend in the valleys, when the sun can’t shine through the clouds, and when we’re in the shadow of pain and loss, that we learn and grow. During these times, we build up our spiritual muscles and get polished and strengthened. And this prepares us for bigger things to come and a future life in glory.
The poem that follows addresses this subject.
It’s in the Valleys I Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe.
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow;
Sometimes I need the mountain tops
But it’s in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothingWhen I picture Christ on the cross.
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.Thank you for valleys, Lord,
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But, it’s in the valleys I grow!
— By Jane J. Eggleston
Thank you, Lord, for the low points that help me learn and get closer to you.
Lord, I am grateful for the valleys because they enable me to learn and grow closer to You.