Christmas is here and we all love this time of year. Family and friends exchanging gifts and well-wishes, it is a “feel good” time. While all of that is true for most of us, for some, it’s a tough time of year. I mean, we all love the mountain top experience with God but what about the valley moments? It’s difficult to sense God’s presence when you are in the valley of your story. Some of us are dealing with the finality of a divorce or the news you can’t get pregnant or the news that the cancer is back. Many of us deal with a dark moment in our story that’s relieved every December, usually the death of a loved one.
The thing is while we may enjoy God on the mountain, we get to know God intimately in the valley. Psalm 84:5-7 reveals pilgrims ascending up to Jerusalem through the Valley of Baca. Baca in Hebrew means “weeping, loss, tears”. See, in the valley, one has to deal with thorns, wild animals and bandits. The valley gives a picture of difficulty. But verse 5 reminds us, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord.”
Here in America, we idolize independence. We love saying the phrases, “I don’t need any help.” or “I can do this on my own.” But the text doesn’t say, “blessed are those who can pull themselves up by their own boot straps.” No…as Jesus-followers, we have access to supernatural power. For all who believe in the baby born and placed in a manger, there is bigger power that will get you through your valley.
One way to focus on getting through your valley is Paul’s reminders in Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:8. What you think about matters. So, according to Paul, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So, your heart may be racing but your mind is on Jesus. Your soul may be aching but your mind is on our Savior. Your emotions may be many but your mind is on Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). Greater is the one in me than the one in the world. My God is going before me to prepare a place for me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am more than a conqueror. I may be in the valley but my mind is set on Jesus.
So this holiday season, you may find yourself working through a difficult relationship, health news that wasn’t that great, the loss of someone who meant so much to you, a dark cloud of depression or loneliness. Remember if you know Jesus, he’s with you in that valley. He’ll never leave you. He’ll always be with you. He is Immanuel, God is with us. Blessings on your journey.