Peaks and Valleys

As we walk through life, each of us will experience different terrains. We travel on that narrow road that is sometimes smooth and at other times rocky. We climb until we reach the beautiful mountaintops and sometimes we find ourselves trudging through the deeper valleys, searching for the quickest way out. As I've spent time talking with different friends over the past few weeks, I am easily reminded that we are all on different journeys. For some of us, everything is going great and we are loving the magnificent views from the top of the mountain. But, for others, hard times have hit. Some are experiencing loss, sickness, financial strain, troubled relationships, or countless other things and they are feeling trapped in that deep, dark, valley. I'm sure you can recall times when you have been in each of these places. 

If there is one thing that I have learned about life it's that it keeps going and the only constant that we can count on is change. We will all experience bright mountaintop views and we will all find ourselves down in darkness at some point.So here is my thought for you. Neither place is permanent so embrace each place that you find yourself. 

If you are in a happy and fruitful season, embrace every moment of it. Enjoy the view. Try your best to make the most of each day, taking nothing for granted. Soak in the goodness that God has given to you and take time each day to give thanks. If you can, use what you have been blessed with to be a blessing to those who are in need. It could be with your money, your time, or even just your words of encouragement that could make a significant impact in a life.

While I wish we could all stay in that happy place forever, each of us, at one time or another, will encounter a less than desirable season of life. No matter what it is that has brought you down into that valley,  there is always a pathway leading out. Most of the time there are valuable things to be learned there. It is a prime location to allow God to refine us and make us more like Him. We find strength that we didn't even know we had. Strength that comes from leaning on and counting on God to help us. It is encouraging to know that He can and will work all things, even the worst things, for our good and for His glory. If we are open to it, these are the places where we see the most growth. We overcome what we never imagined we could. For this reason, it's important to remember these hard times so that we can appreciate the good. Think of each step back up the mountain as a stepping stone to growing closer to the Lord. We can even use our painful experiences to minister to others who are in similar situations.Use your "mess" to bless.

Stay encouraged, friends. 

We are never staying still.

Nothing is wasted in life.