We all experience difficult times in our lives, filled with pain and searching for answers. Through our life lessons, we discover that there’s a purpose for our pain that God can use for a greater good. Fruit grows in the depths of the valleys of life.

~~~

Being a neuropsychologist, I talk with many people because they are hurting, and their life circumstances are difficult to bear. Everywhere I go I encounter people who are really struggling and going through difficult times.

They are in pain.
They are in the valley.
Often, they wonder, “Why?”

I have found both personally and professionally that so often, knowing the answer to “Why?” doesn’t really help that much. It doesn’t help when people get the answer to why a spouse had an affair, or why a child attempted suicide, or why a co-worker abuses drugs. The why doesn’t really makes us feel any better.

The answers to our question “whys” seldom provide true peace. Instead, peace is found in placing our trust in God, even when we don’t have all the answers to our “whys.”

 

 

Fruit grows in the valley

Billy Graham once said,
“Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”

So often people want to live on the mountaintop. Don’t we all love the mountaintop experiences? They are fulfilling, and exciting, and joyful. But mountaintops are really for the view and for inspiration. Fruit doesn’t grow on the mountaintops. Fruit grows in the depth of the valleys.

Purpose for our pain

So if you are going through a difficult time right now, can I encourage you that God never wastes our pain, ever. Scripture says that what the enemy intended for harm, God will use for good. So if you are in the valley right now, let me encourage you that it serves a purpose. That’s where the fruit grows.

 

 

When we are in the valley, there is no place to look but up. Sometimes that is when we can see what God is doing the most clearly. Sometimes when we are in the valley, we can’t see what He is doing, but we can most clearly see our need for Him. Even if you can’t see what He is doing, know that just like fruit, He is growing you, He is maturing you, He is strengthening you in that valley.

Mountaintops are great, but the valley is where fruit grows. If you are in the valley, know it does serve a purpose because fruit grows in the valley.

No matter what you are going through right now, remember that God never wastes our pain. There’s a purpose for our pain. When we are in the valley, we may not be able to see what He is doing, but we can know that He is working and strengthening us even in the midst of our pain. He is using our experiences to grow us and mature us, and bring us closer to Him. So if you are in the valley right now, remember that even though it may be dark, a brighter day is coming, and God is there with you, every step of the way.

 

 

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

 

 

The Hem of His Garment is available now for Pre-Order.

In the time up to its official release on 8-1-23, I’m offering a bundle of Free Gifts for those who pre-order the book.

 

We all experience pain from time to time, and not just physical pain, but also emotional pain, relational pain, spiritual pain, grief and loss.

I’ve been there. I’ve experienced each one of those types of pain. I’ve asked the hard questions. I’ve searched the scriptures for biblical examples and lessons learned through pain and suffering. And I’m sharing a fresh perspective in my new book “The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms.”

You might not be enduring pain of any kind right now (thank Him!!) but you know people who are, and you know pastors, counselors, coaches, teachers and ministry leaders who need biblically based resources to minister to those who are hurting.

Pre-order a copy of “The Hem of His Garment” and I’ll send you these free gifts as a bonus!

Find out more here: The Hem of His Garment Book