Still My God - Avalon

I've heard many quotes on experiencing life in the valleys or on the mountain top.  Some of my favorite are:

"Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs.  

It's a journey of discovery-

 there are moments on the mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair"

 - Rick Warren

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy 

if there were no limitations to overcome.  

The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful 

if there were no dark valleys to traverse,"  

-Helen Keller

"Life is supposed to be a series of peaks and valleys.  

The secret is to keep the valleys from becoming  Grand Canyons." 

-Bernard Williams

Its true.  Life is a roller coaster.  It is full of ups and downs... peaks and valleys, twists and turns.  Its never predictable.  Its not stable and for me it is unsettling.  I've been reluctant to rejoice on the mountaintops because I know I will face a valley.

There is a scripture I recently read from Daniel.  As a child I learned the story of the firey furnace.  But somehow, I never saw 4 little words sandwiched into this story of courage.

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even 

IF HE DOES NOT, 

let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." 

Daniel 3:17,18

11 months ago, my entire life was a valley- dark, grey, and oh... so confusing.  I clasped onto the only One who could see me through.  And He did.  Christ held on and carried me through that dark time.  He didn't change my circumstances or my situation which He could have done so easily.  Rather He stayed with me in the "blazing fire".

1 month ago, all was right in my world- peaceful, serene and light hearted.  God blessed us unexpectedly with a home of our own.  It was an answer to prayer that I had not prayed.  But I had a hard time celebrating because I feared the next valley.

Why do I fear the next valley in life?  God has proven himself faithful... through the Old Testament He showed the red cord of redemption and it continued through the cross and the promise of salvation.  He continues to show his faithfulness in the promise of the Holy Spirit to guide us.  In both of these situations, God has shown we are not alone.  No matter the valley or the mountaintop, in Christ I can confidently say, "He can help me in this current situation.  He will stay by my side.  But even if he chooses not to answer my prayers in the way I thought He should, I will not give up.  Nothing, no situation, no circumstance can separate me from His love.  It is the same yesterday, today and forever,"

A quote from my devotional worded it like this, "We can have the joy of the Lord if we have an 'inspite of everything' quality of faith.  Our hope is not based on getting God to do what we want but in wanting Him regardless of how events work out."- God's Best for my Life.