He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Have you ever hiked or walked through a valley?  Valleys can be wide-open places between mountains, but we mostly think of them as dark, narrow, and difficult. “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, said the Billy Graham, “but fruit is grown in the valleys.”[1] That fruit, or personal growth, forms when we turn toward God in our pain and then, to others.

The Bible promises that, in the life of a follower of Jesus, good will be worked in all. (Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17, James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:9) It’s in the valley that we are apt to truly discover that “God empowers us with inner strength through his spirit” (Ephesians 3:16).  Yes, the valleys teach us we can live in God’s strength, his comfort, through the Holy Spirit.  God is concerned about your pain in your valley, but the fruit of the valley you’re walking through now was never meant just for you.  In the Kingdom of God, there is also hope for another in your valley.

The story that God is writing in your valley journey is meant to open the door to the Kingdom for others.  “He comforts us in all our troubles,” 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

The story of your valley walk is meant for more.  Is there one in the same valley who needs to know there is strength and comfort for the journey?

 

Resource reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-5

[1] “Top 25 Valleys Quotes (of 842): A-Z Quotes.” AZ Quotes, www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/valleys.html.