Through The Valley

The night I lay down to sleep on my ex-boyfriend's couch, the weight of my sin present in my life, came heavily upon me. I had followed my selfish desires, and off God's path. God clearly reached out His hand and asked if I was ready to go through the tunnel, and out of the dark place I was in. I reached out my hand, grabbed tight to His, closed my eyes, and left the darkness, clinging to God.

Traveling back through the thickets and thorns to get out of the pit I was in, and back on God's path, was painful. It hurt to go through and see all the damage I caused to the people I loved most. While going through, God was pulling out all the thorns that had impaled into me. It hurt to have them removed, but it was necessary. The only way the wounds could heal, was to remove the thorns, and have God clean them out.  It was a painful process, but it was the only way to heal.

God began teaching me each morning. As the days went on, I would get exhausted. He would say rest. My mercies are new each morning. Each morning, He woke me up with new lessons. 

Then, I allowed the words of those around me to create doubt and fear within me. I began to try and take control of my situation. 

I struggled through accepting where I was.

Each day was a choice to release my will, and be in His. I wasn't perfect at that. There were moments and days, where I really wanted what I wanted, stepped out from under His wing. I had to walk back underneath Him. I'm so thankful for a God who allows me to see the truth, even if it's painful. His faithfulness and steadfast love secures and holds me in.

This life is shorter than we realize. All that we accumulate, strive for, build on and up, is left behind. 

There are so many hurting souls on this Earth. So, many are bound by sin, and enslaved to people who mistreat, oppress, abuse, and use them.

We all have the potential to be the person who mistreats someone.

Everyone has needs and desires. When those aren't filled with God, we pull from other people, and we get frustrated with them because they fall short.

People were never meant to be our source. People are an added blessing to our life.

Through the valley, I have seen so much. 

I have seen the deep hurt, sorrow, and need for Christ. I have looked into the eyes of those who are lost, and want Jesus. I'm not sure what their hold is. Maybe they don't feel worthy enough. Maybe they have been hurt. Maybe they don't feel like there is a place for them. Maybe admitting all of their sin is too heavy and difficult to admit, and they fear the consequences, so they become trapped with it. 

Satan wants to keep our sin in the dark, so that it destroys us, but we must trust God through whatever process He takes us through, knowing He is good, merciful, gracious, faithful, and loves us. 

Christ followers, it's time we wake up. It's time to stop living for ourselves, and live for Christ.

Let's stop assuming we know everything. Let's stop making assumptions about people and their situations, and judging them. Talking about people when they leave the room, after they humbly walked in.

My heart is so broken over how Christ's people are treating others, me included.

Things need to change. We need to wake up.

So, let's remove the judgmental looks on our face, stop gossiping, put on our armor, and ready our feet. 

Let's walk humbly with our God, and be obedient to what He is calling us to do.

May our eyes be opened in the valley. 

With Love, Amber