Christian Living

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People often seek to have emotional high mountaintop experiences, and they sometimes complain about being in some valley, meaning a low point in their life. Remember this: We could never have mountains without crossing through valleys.

Unless the valley is a desert area, this is where you will find the rivers, the growth, and the fruit. The fruit always grows in the valley. Do you desire to experience the fruit of good character qualities, positive relationships, victory over addictions and your negative past, and success? These all must be cultivated in the fertile soil of the valleys. True, it takes hard work but you have people to help you and to share your burden. How many people do you usually find on the top of a mountain?

Mountaintops enable you to see where you have been, what you have come through, and rejoice in the journey or victory. You will not experience any growth, for that all occurred in the valley and on your way up the mountain, and you will never make it up your personal mountain if you do not grow in your personal valley. Sure, climbing the mountain can help you fulfill a dream, but the fruit is still cultivated in the valley.


Think about this, from a personal example. I live in a literal, physical valley, located in central Washington State of the USA. Through this valley flows a river which provides the basic sustenance of life. There are countless orchards of fruit and acres of vegetables. It is all surrounded by snow-capped mountains. As beautiful as these mountains are to travel to and see the valley below, I could, of course, never survive on the top of one of them, because the basic requirements for growth and life itself are in the valley.

So is the case with your emotional valleys if you desire to grow and mature. Use your life experiences to mold you into a great person, and into the individual that God created you to be. Then you can experience Psalm 15:1-2. "O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on Thy holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart." This chapter goes on to list other positive character qualities.

According to this verse not everyone will make it to the top of the God's "holy hill." Too often, people want the emotional high of the mountain without the growth of the valley. If that is the case they may remain in their valley without ever climbing their mountain. They may never have a reason to celebrate their victories.

Psalm 43:3-4 says to let light and truth lead you to the holy hill. David then finishes these verses by saying, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy..." You will then become the "light of the world" like a "city set on a hill." (Matthew 5:14) You will be a beacon of light on the mountain through being tested in the valley.

So, claim your personal valley and climb your personal mountain.

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