Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes we feel like we are on the top of the mountain, and other times we are in the deepest valley. No matter where we are, we can know for certain that God is God. And He will always be with us! Join Rusanne Carole today and be inspired, no matter where you are in life.
*****
Welcome to Celebrating God’s Grace, a WWL’s podcast. I am your host, Rusanne Carole, born in Louisiana- living in Australia. Thank you for joining us today as we look at how we, as sisters in Christ, we can
live and experience the good times and the challenging times – overcome adversity & challenges we face in this world.
God is our God of the times we are on top of the mountain as well as when we find ourselves in the deepest of valleys.
But as followers of Christ we are called & equipped to battle on, & we’re not alone… we put on the full armour of God, becoming Spirit-led, Spirit-filled Warriors, we are Women of God, we are Women World Leaders.
***God is God and He is with us whether we are on top of a mountain in life – celebrating the wonderful things this life has to offer… ***
The Bible shares many glorious experiences that happened on mountains… Moses received the 10 commandments, God, on the mountain, wrote these commandments on tablets of stone with His finger! Jesus appeared in his heavenly form during the Transformation atop a mountain. The happenings on top of a mountain represent the magnificent. The highs. The celebrations. Maybe that’s where we get the saying, “ I feel like I’m on top of the world” As a young girl, I took a trip with my high school and we climbed a mountain in Colorado. As we finally reached the top it was absolutely gorgeous and you did feel like you were on top of the world. Elated.. Like nothing could touch you.
Yet as we grow up… experience life we realise those moments don’t last forever… Changes comes. Challenges come. Circumstances we’d rather not experience present themselves
Much suffering happens in the valleys as God’s ppl struggle with life’s disappointments, trials, temptation. Our faith is tested..
The dichotomy of LIFE – such beauty and happy times yet such devastation can occur too!
Even the biblical Promise Land that God led His ppl to included both hills and valleys alike… Deut 11:11… “But the land you are crossing the Jordan River to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from the heaven. In Matthew 5 Jesus tells us God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
But how do we drink rain from heaven in the lowest of our times in the valleys we find ourselves in?
What God asks the Israelites for during their 40 year journey that could have been travelled in 11 days was TRUST.. It’s what He asked of them and it’s what He asks of us now.
We don’t know what tomorrow holds but as believers and followers of Christ, we know who holds tomorrow.
Our hope is in the Lord. – not in this life but the life that awaits.
So practically – how can we drink that heavenly rain as we walk thru the valleys. Here are some things to ponder:
- Our feelings during this time can take over… We mustn’t ignore or suppress the feelings but we cannot allow ourselves to stay there.. I had a friend tell me, it’s ok to have a bad day just try not to have 2 in a row. I believe it’s important to pay attention to the pain, acknowledge it, allow it… then the tough part comes in the waiting in the confusing “in-between time when finally the birth of something new comes… For God is good… Nahum 1:7 says The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. He has us and He never leaves us.
- We can quench our spiritual thirst by getting in His Word. Yet I know there have been times in the deepest of valleys it was hard to read or concentrate. This is where it’s important to have a few life verses planted – embedded deep in your heart that you can meditate and ponder on throughout the tough days. And worship music can be most beneficial at this time too.
- And of course PRAYER. I recently read: Her secret is simple. On her worst days she prays, and on her best days she prays. God even knew there would be seasons in which we wouldn’t even have the words. Romans 8:26-27 tells us the Spirit makes intercession for us for HE knows. What a merciful, beautiful God we serve.
So as believers, we will be discouraged , but not despaired for our God is with us always – A beautiful worship song by Tauren Hills (hills & valleys) Says:
…
I love visualisations and we know how powerful they can be:
I like to picture myself dancing with Jesus on top of the mountain (Him singing over me) when I am being blessed to experience the goodness of God. ISIAH 52:7 declares “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaimed peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!
IS 55:12 describes worshipping God during a hill time of celebration
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands”
In valleys, we can choose to see our obstacles as opportunities to grow stronger in our faith.
Peter 4 verse 12 and 13 tells us, ‘Dear friends don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through as if something strange is happening to you. Instead be very glad – for these trials make your partners with Christ in his suffering so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. Our valley times are temporary. This is the time I’m not dancing on a mountaintop but I am resting in His arms – with my head on his chest so close I can feel his breath on my face and hear his heartbeat beating in sink with mine, like a lullaby allowing be to be still and sit with HIM
Let us pray
Lord, I hope that every ear that has tuned into this teaching will experience more and more of Your love for us whether we are currently celebrating on a mountaintop or struggling through getting through a valley. In this world, the only constant is change. But Your word tells us You do not change. You are our constant. You are our Rock. Help us to lean into you each day, each moment no matter what our circumstances are. You give us the peace beyond all understanding. And until we reach that final mountaintop where eternity is our home, help us in Your strength to persevere in the race that is set out for each of us.
Thank you for listening to WWL’s podcast. Join us each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as we explore together God’s extravagant love & your courageous purpose. Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry. From His heart to yours, we are WWL. All content is copyrighted by WWL and cannot be used without written consent.