Enduring the valleys

Endurance. A word that symbolizes strength and character, but what does it mean? As defined by dictionary.com, endurance is the ability to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions. So many examples of endurance have been presented throughout our lifetime, but have we really taken a step back and thought about true endurance? Endurance is more than a runner finishing a marathon; it is more than a growing tree bearing the weight of a harsh winter. Endurance is equivalent to persistence. Endurance is that of a river carving out a canyon. It never rests; it is always flowing at a steady pace. Think about it, the endurance of that river molds and shapes that rock, though as hard as it can be, over time, that river is able to mold and shape that rock in the way the water flows. The water influences that rock and defines what that rock will look like. The rock is strong, but strength is defeated here by the endurance of the water.

So what does endurance have to do with me? Why did I chose to focus on endurance versus strength? How is this beneficial to my life? With every mountain top there is a valley. With every valley there is usually a source of water. That very source of water has shaped and molded the base of that mountain and ultimately defines it. Something so small has such an impact on something so big. 

Spiritual endurance has the same effect. The valley defines your mountain. People refer to moments in your life as either mountain top experiences or valleys. The mountain top experiences are those that involve the exciting, flashy moments. You're on fire for the Lord, and it seems like nothing can touch you. Nothing can go wrong. Valleys are quite the opposite. Those are the low points; the times when you feel abandoned, discouraged, and unable to get out of the rut. Those are the moments that define you and your endurance. You can't have mountain tops without valleys; they go together. The valleys are when the endurance of faith comes into effect. It's so easy to love God, be on fire for him, and praise his goodness when everything goes right. But what do you do when the ball drops? How do you respond when hurt happens that seems more than you can bear? What actions do you take when you think your dreams have been snatched away? How deep is your endurance in the Lord during this time? How will your endurance shape your valley? 

Psalm 55:22 states that you must cast your cares on the Lord because he will sustain you and never allow you to be moved. Christ is the only source of your endurance. He is what gets you through those valleys because he promises to never let you be moved. He is what keeps you going; he is what defines you, if you allow him to take control of your life. 

Valleys are just as much part of life as the mountain tops. Discouragement, disappointment, hurt, anger, and sadness will come but faith and strength in the Lord is the only way to endure these hardships to reach that mountain top again. How will you let your mountain be defined? Is the Lord your source of endurance, or is your own strength the source?