Two stories. Real quick…
One. In my criminal defense days I might have been known as what you call a “Debbie Downer”. Meaning that it seemed as though I focused more on the negative sides of the case than the positive. I made sure my clients knew the risk of trial or a plea up to the judge could mean a higher sentence than what was offered by the state attorney. One time a client actually asked me, “Ms. Mechelle, why you so negative dang?” And my response was, “I have to prepare you to be the only person being left in that courtroom when everybody else goes home. I don’t have to prepare you for a not guilty or for a lesser sentence, that’s the easy part.”
Two. On a visit to my health coach she made an observation of my reactions when I’d had a week when life had hit me unexpectedly. Of course when I’d had a good week and the scale was down I was excited, motivated. But when the scale hadn’t moved or had gone up it was a whole ‘notha story.
The point?
Life happens and valley experiences will come. But unlike, my criminal clients the fate of a believer isn’t uncertain.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Valley experiences happen and most of the time unexpectedly. But through God’s word he reminds us that he’s with us and gives us the answers we need. There’s no uncertainty of what will happen. Weapons will form, but they won’t prosper. Crying at night, but eventually joy in the morning.
We don’t have to avoid the valley but instead prepare for them knowing God is with us, for us and even through pain, hurt and tears we’ll win.
And if we’re honest some of our most valuable, most memorable and best lessons have come from valley experiences.
So just remember, life happens and causes change… but God doesn’t.
JeanineMechelle
Even when you know what you know….you don’t know the half.