Valley – When Life’s Low Points Draw Us Closer to God

Everyone passes through valleys – seasons of pain, discouragement or spiritual dryness. The Bible speaks of real valleys in the land of Israel, and also uses the valley as a picture of the low points of the Christian life, where God proves His faithfulness and deepens our trust in Him.

Valleys in the Bible

The Valley of Achor (meaning trouble) is where Achan was stoned for his sin (Josh 7:24-26). Later God promised to “make the Valley of Achor a door of hope” – trouble and despair turned to joy (Hos 2:15).

The Kidron Valley lies on the eastern side of old Jerusalem, between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount, running south east towards the Dead Sea (Jn 18:1).

The Jordan Valley is part of the Great Rift extending from Syria to Eastern Africa. The term is often applied to the lower course of the Jordan River, from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea at 1,300 feet below sea level (1 Chr 12:15).

Valleys in the Christian Life

A Christian’s experience is a mixture of mountaintop times – outstanding victory and joy – and valleys of pain, dryness and discouragement. Both are needed to bring balance and develop maturity. Mountain top encounters inspire faith, vision and renewed enthusiasm, but we can’t live continually on that level.

If you are in a valley look for the mountains nearby

There will be low periods that test our motivation and commitment to follow the Lord; when every other support has been stripped away, leaving only God and His Word to cling to, and we cry out ‘Where are You, God?’. When overtired and under pressure the valley seems deeper and the mountains more menacing, as frustration and discouragement make our dreams evaporate. Sadly, some turn away from God when He doesn't seem close – yet His apparent silence is not His absence; it is an invitation to trust Him more deeply, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake His own.

Valley times can follow sin that has damaged our relationship with God. Normally, however, for those walking in close fellowship with Him they are God-ordained growth periods. Some of our greatest lessons are learned in adversity, when we recognise our inability to walk uprightly without His power – so look for the refreshing streams and cling to His promises. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. Respond correctly to the Lord so you can move on, rather than dying in the wilderness through stubborn refusal to obey (Num 14:29-34).

Lord help me to learn from this valley experience

We have the choice to walk through our valley and emerge victorious, or be buried in it. There are “Multitudes in the valley of decision” – the choice to go God’s way or rebel (Joel 3:14). What will my choice be?

In a valley it is easy to lose perspective and lose sight of the sun (God’s Son too) in the shadow of the mountains that seem to crowd in on us. It is at such times our commitment to Christ is tested, and theory about trust becomes practice as we rely on Him when all seems to be crumbling. Don’t withdraw into self-pity or a victim mentality; re-dig the well of life-giving water instead – take up the spade of praise, the Word and prayer, and dig again into the promises the enemy has filled in with the rubble of discouragement.

Don’t wallow in self-pity – re-dig the wells of life-giving water

Stay focused on Jesus and bring Him a sacrifice of praise, for He knows when to bring us out of the valley (Heb 13:15). Paul said, “We are surrounded by problems but not crushed...” (2 Cor 4:7-11). Don’t be governed by emotions – let His peace and the Scriptures rule your mind, for all things work for our good, conforming us to the likeness of Jesus (Isa 43:1-4; Rom 8:28-29,35-39; Phil 4:7). Job suffered many misfortunes at once yet didn’t sink into depression or lose his connection with God, knowing He allows trials as well as pleasant times (Job 1:20-22, 2:10, 13:15).

Isaac is our example here: when the Philistines stopped up the wells his father Abraham had dug, he didn’t sit beside the dry holes in self-pity – he re-dug them and called them by the same names, and God gave him Rehoboth, “room” and refreshing (Gen 26:18-22). The pilgrims of old did the same in the Valley of Baca, the valley of weeping: as they passed through, they made it a place of springs (Ps 84:6). A valley need not stay dry ground – dig into the living water until it rises to meet you, “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn 4:14, 7:38).

The three Jews who chose the fiery furnace rather than compromise their allegiance to God declared, “He is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn’t we will remain faithful to Him”. That commitment has been echoed by countless believers – some experiencing God’s earthly intervention, others finding their valley becomes their entry point into heaven (Dan 3:17-18; Heb 11:32-38).

Our God is able – even if He doesn’t, I will still trust Him

Examples from Scripture

Elijah, worn out after his great victory on Mount Carmel, fled into the wilderness and collapsed under a broom tree, asking God to take his life. Instead of rebuking him, God sent an angel with food and rest, then spoke in a gentle whisper, giving renewed direction (1 Kgs 19:3-18). God meets exhausted people in their valley with provision, not condemnation.

Naomi lost her husband and both sons in a foreign land, returning home empty and asking to be called Mara, "for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20-21). Yet God had not finished: through Ruth and Boaz He restored her family line, and the women who once heard her lament now said, "Blessed be the LORD... the restorer of life" as she held her grandson (Ruth 4:14-17).

Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit – years of valley with no visible way out (Gen 37:23-28, 39:20-21). Yet the LORD was with him in the prison, and in one day he was raised from the dungeon to rule Egypt, later telling the brothers who betrayed him, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 41:14,41-43, 50:20).

Keep perspective – God is at work even when you cannot see it

Walking Through the Valley

Begin by facing the valley honestly, as David did, encouraging himself in God (1 Sam 30:6; Ps 31:1, 56:11, 130:5) and asking, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God” (Ps 42:5,11, 43:5). Stay confident that the Lord is still your shepherd, leading you even through the darkest valley (Ps 23:4) – after all, what other option is there (Jn 6:68)? Don’t let Satan gain the victory through harbouring resentment against God because He didn’t act as you expected. God permits these moulding experiences to deepen our fellowship with Him, and we will emerge more purified than when we entered, understanding the Christian walk is one of faith, not always of sight (2 Cor 5:7). Is He our priority, or have we put things before Him?

After major stress, excitement, a victory gained, or a mountain top experience, there will be a ‘down time’ when you feel drained emotionally, physically and spiritually – so follow the example of Jesus, who took time away from the demands of ministry to be refreshed by His Father (Mk 1:29-35). Flood your mind with the promises of His Word – He promises success to those dedicated to Him (Josh 1:7-9).

Thank you for your promise never to leave me – Hebrews 13:5

Have a thankful attitude – He has led you in the past and will guide you now and in the future, for you are His much-loved child. Stay in fellowship and maintain spiritual disciplines – and don't make rash decisions when you are down. Choices made in the low times are often regretted later and can carry lasting consequences, so wait until the valley has passed and your perspective is restored before making major decisions.

Support, pray for and encourage others who are in a valley, so they continue the pilgrimage and don’t discard their confidence or faith; He doesn’t give up on us – victory is on the way, so don’t quit (Lk 22:32; Gal 6:2; Heb 10:35, 12:12). Resolve to follow God regardless, committing yourself into His hands, confident He will fulfil His purpose for you – one ‘faith step’ at a time (Ps 37:5, 138:8, 139:10; Phil 1:6). “He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Reflection and Application:

Name your valley honestly before God, pouring out your heart to Him rather than pretending all is well (Ps 62:8).
Each day in the valley, read one promise of Scripture aloud before you look at your circumstances (Ps 119:50).
Choose to rejoice in the Lord even when nothing around you makes sense (Hab 3:17-18).
Refuse to wallow in self-pity: each day, “re-dig a well” by acting on one promise of Scripture, praying and praising, until the water of life rises again (Gen 26:18; Ps 84:6; Jn 7:38).
Comfort one person going through a hard season with the same comfort God has given you (2 Cor 1:3-4).