Have you ever been in a valley of despair? Our disappointments, regrets, and unmet expectations reside in the valley. Sometimes it takes a while to climb out of it and we can find ourselves getting tired of the journey. The valley experience wasn’t what we anticipated when we began our Christian journey. We may have expected hard days, but not difficult years that a valley may bring.

Yet, the valley experience will develop us into being more like Jesus Christ. It will help us with persevering under difficulty, overcoming sin, and depending completely on God. We may not immediately recognize our spiritual growth, but it will be evident to those in our homes, schools, or workplace.

If we learn to worship God in the valley, our hearts begin to understand the joy in the midst of difficulties. If we learn to pray in the valley, our prayers become more discerning and powerful. If we learn to know God’s word in the valley, our minds are well fortified against the attacks of the devil. If we learn to serve others in the valley, we immediately recognize that we aren’t the only ones hurting and that there are people much worse off than us.

The valley experience isn’t for everyone. Many believers choose the easier path of living a surface Christianity that minimally requires church attendance, infrequent Bible readings, and hurried prayers. Yet, for those who are willing to go deeper in Christ to experience His amazing presence, the valley experience will be the toughest, but most rewarding part of their life. Our mountain top triumphs are even more celebrated when we remember where we’ve come from in the valley.

Prayer

Dear Lord, my valley experience is only worth it if You are with me. Help me to persevere through this season of my life and I will give You the glory now and forever more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When my son was young, he had a medical issue that was difficult to treat. As a young mother, I struggled with this in prayer and called out to God with all of my heart. In my mind during this prayer, I picked up my son and laid him on an altar for God’s will to be done. I was blessed a year later with a correct diagnosis and treatment for him. This experience taught me the value of casting all of my cares on God instead of trying to carry the load myself.

Casting everything to God means that we release Him to do His greater work. We let go of what we want and seek Him for what He wants for us. It’s a risk to live this way because we aren’t guaranteed that everything is going to happen in the way we want. Yet, we can experience the peace of God that calms our hearts and minds. Our faith is stretched leading to a greater capacity for spiritual maturity.

On the outside, it can seem that putting everything on the altar comes to us easily. However, learning to completely trust God is a process. As we learn to trust Him for smaller things, we will begin to trust for greater. Putting it all on the altar isn’t a type of forced resignation. It’s a choice we make based on what we know about God’s word.

Putting our hopes, dreams, and prayers on the altar means that we accept the doors God opens and closes. We remain steadfast in our joy even we don’t get what we want because the Holy Spirit comforts us. He has a plan and purpose if we would only lay it all on the altar—holding nothing back.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I lay on the altar this concern that I’ve been carrying. I trust You to do what is best and help me to grow in my faith from this experience. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Being free in Christ is great gift to everyone who desires to know the Lord. Let’s not forget this gift of freedom and remember to exercise thankfulness to Jesus Christ every day. What does it mean to be FREE?
F – Forgiven of our sins.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1)

Many people miss the beauty of being forgiven our sins. We are ALL sinners—not one of us is born without sin. And there’s only way to be washed white as snow from the nastiness, ugliness, and filthiness of our sin—that is to know Jesus Christ as Lord and accept His sacrifice for our sins.

R – Release from the heavy hitters of fear, anxiousness, regret, shame, and guilt.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

Fear, worry, regret, shame and guilt have one thing in common—they are heavy burdens to bear. Without a release from these heavy hitters, we can find ourselves locked in a spiritual, emotional, and mental prison. Through God’s love and grace, we are set free from these chains. Freedom is available for all those who call on God to help and rely on His word to change us from the inside out.

E – Experience the grace and favor of God.

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17)

God’s grace and favor hover everyone of us who puts our trust in Him. We totally don’t deserve one once of it—it’s given to us out of love and not our works. He blesses us in many ways we never see. And as we keep our eyes on the Lord, He grants us favor in our homes, schools, work, neighborhood, and communities. His grace is enough for us even when times are difficult.

E – Excelled peace beyond our own understanding.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

The world constantly is seeking peace, but it remains elusive because of the hardness of men and women’s hearts. Yet, in Christ—we have an incredible peace that we ourselves can never understand. He gives us peace in the midst of confusion, misunderstandings, disappointments, and chaos. God steadies our feet on the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, who knows all and through the Holy Spirit calms our hearts and floods our minds with peace.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the freedom of forgiveness, release, grace, and peace. You alone are worthy of the praise for these wonderful gifts. In Jesus’ name, amen.