Craig Clouston

It’s In The Valleys We Grow

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him.

Romans 15:13

“I thought things were supposed to get easier?!” Evan grumbled, referencing his relatively new walk with Jesus Christ. His belief that by giving his life to Christ, everything would be wonderful and life would no longer be a constant struggle was suffering an agonizing death.

“God never said we won’t have trials or sorrows, Ev,” Glenna said softly. She didn’t want to add to her younger brother’s frustration by pointing out that it was a bit naïve to think God would just make their lives painless and carefree. “Look at the Apostle's lives,” she added. “Paul spent half his life in prison because of his love for Jesus.” She opened her Bible and read, “Here’s what the book of Acts says about Paul and Silas. I’m reading from the sixteenth chapter. ‘After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison.’ Paul was beaten several times during his ministry, and was eventually killed for his faith. Satan hates us for following Jesus, Ev. It only makes sense that he’s going to try to discourage us.”

“Guess it was foolish to expect otherwise, huh?” Evan admitted. “I just hoped things would get easier.”

“But isn’t it easier knowing that you don’t have to face life alone anymore, Ev? Sharing it with Jesus teaches us how to live outside ourselves…to trust in His strength instead of our own.” She smiled, knowing God would bring Evan along in His time.

†

When we first come to Jesus we are Showroom clean…every sin forgiven…not a transgression to our name. And that’s a wonderful feeling…a feeling we desperately want to hang on to. But God knows better than to leave us on the mountaintop for too long. He knows it would spoil us, and eventually lead to our prideful undoing. He’s more interested in our sanctification than our conciliation. Through life’s trials we learn to lean on Jesus instead of trusting in our own strength. We’re secure with Him in control.

The mountaintops are wonderful, but it’s in the valleys we grow.

Prayer

“I don’t much like pain-filled valleys, Lord, but I grow when we walk them together. Grant me peace in my spirit and the knowledge that You will never lead me where I don’t belong. Amen.”