Finding Joy in the Valley

August 23, 2024

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  

This verse does not say to be thankful for every circumstance. It says in every circumstance. 

God never expects you to be grateful for evil. God never expects you to be grateful for the pain in your life. We do not give thanks for pain. But, we can give thanks while we are in pain. There is a difference—an important one.

God doesn’t promise us a pain-free life.

In fact Jesus himself said, in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

You will have trouble. You will face challenges. You will experience pain in this broken world. But, our hope isn’t in the fact that following Jesus will help us avoid pain. Our hope is in Jesus himself. He has overcome the world, and he PROMISES to be with us in the valleys of life.

Psalm 23:4 says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Why are we unafraid? “Because God is close beside me.”

He promises to be WITH US in the middle of our pain. THAT is what we can be grateful for in every circumstance. He is with us. We know God is with us in the darkest valley.

Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”  

What do I rejoice? I rejoice in the Lord. I don’t rejoice in my circumstances. I rejoice in the Lord.

James 1:3-4 “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” 

When we are going through a problem we have two choices. We can pray, “Lord, make this easy.” Or we can say, “Lord, use this for good in my life and use it to make me more like Jesus.” 

I don’t know what problems you might be facing today. It could be a financial problem, it could be a physical health problem, maybe you’re looking for work, or maybe you have conflict in your family, maybe you’re struggling with thoughts of fear and doubt.  But without even knowing them I know one thing is true. That while Satan means it for bad, God means it for good. He is the only one who can bring good out of bad.   

God doesn’t waste your pain if you allow him to work in the midst of it.

He can create a purpose for every problem in our lives. He can create hope in the most hopeless of situations. 

We can have joy in the valley, because He is with you, and He will not leave you there.