Transparent Freedom

have you ever wondered how you should respond to life when you find yourself in a valley?

i am tempted to make my response more complicated to situational strife because i am a Christian,

and i know intellectually the fruit of the Spirit, the marks of a believer, and the promises that belong to those in Christ.

i am tempted to plaster on a smile when i feel like dung because i am supposed to be joyful.

i am tempted to always appear happy when i am really sad because ultimately, i know every tear will be wiped away.

there is truth in these statements, but whenever i force them from external sources, i am missing the point.

i am not to be joyful because i know i am supposed to be joyful now that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has been credited to my account.

i am not to be happier because i know i am supposed to be happy because though i deserved hell, i now receive heaven.

i am to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, self-controlled, gentle, faithful, and content because the Spirit of God is applying the gospel of truth to my heart, regenerating a zombie.

i think a good model of how to live in a valley is psalm 13:

How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?  How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

be honest.

be real.

God can handle it.

ask him the question that is really on your heart.

don’t religiousize it and become all passive aggressive.

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

remember what is true.

recite to yourself the promises of God, the reality that but for the grace of God, you are dead, nothing.

cast all of your dependence on Him.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

rejoice.

praise Him as you remember that it is not your circumstance or situation or even your own ability to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit but a God who is sovereign and good,

a God who loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you, while you hated Him.

know that if you are in Christ, God will lead you through this valley;

Jesus has overcome, and He will again and again and again…

how have you found it helpful to live life in valley’s?