Have you ever struggled with your sense of value? Do you feel like you’re worth less (or perhaps completely worthless) because of your chronic illness? Do you question what you can offer to the world, to a special someone, or to God Himself with your limited capacities? I know I have. Lots of times. It’s […]
Last week we looked at the first three of seven characteristics of God He’s been showing me in fresh ways through the fires of chronic illness and other trials. This week we’ll look at the next four of these characteristics. 4. God is My Stability Stability: the quality, state, or degree of being stableStable: firmly […]
Last week we looked at five more reasons for our falls as believers (and humans) and how God can use our moments of discouragement for our good, others’ good, and ultimately His glory. Today we finish that list with one more purpose to our falls, then we’ll look at some practical tips for getting back […]
The Day I Fell I took a fall the other day. Not the kind of fall that sends you down with a stubbed toe or a stinging knee, but the fall that sends you down with a bruised heart and a throbbing spirit. After a few weeks of mild improvement with my health, my hopes […]
It’s another New Year! Emily and I hope you had wonderful holidays! As we start 2023, The Valley’s blog schedule will shift to posts every other week instead of weekly. We pray you will continue to be blessed by these posts and grow closer to God this year! The Struggle of Another Day I woke […]
Last week we looked at how to find grace, joy, and peace in chronic illness based on Elisabeth Elliot’s short devotional about the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford: by receiving what God has given us and by relinquishing what He takes from us. As I meditated on Elisabeth Elliot’s […]
I recently started reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book Secure in the Everlasting Arms, a collection of short devotional thoughts from the newsletter she wrote for almost twenty years. The very first entry hit me square between the eyes. The Lot We’re Dealt The entry is titled “Whatever My Lot” and, after giving a brief, personal backstory […]
Scripture tells us that, under the control of the Holy Spirit, we should be “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). May you be encouraged by the spiritual truth in this song! It Is Well With My Soul words by Horatio […]
Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your story with us! Tell us about yourself! “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin Hi, my name is Becky. I currently live in the piedmont of North Carolina, although I spend my best days hiking in the Smokey Mountains amidst […]
Two weeks ago we looked at the context for Jeremiah’s letter to the Jewish captives and God’s message to them (and us): stop panicking, pick up your hammer, and make yourself at home. In other words, don’t fight what is part of God’s plan for good. We also saw how part of making ourselves at […]
The Valley