By: Tim Woods, M.Min. | November 2, 2025
On a recent trip to North Carolina, my wife and I witnessed the devastation caused by the hurricane and flooding. In each valley we drove through, we had different experiences. Some were utterly devastated. Some looked like nothing had happened at all. However, there was one area near Asheville that was very intriguing. Some of the buildings were no more than a pile of rubble, some had minimal damage, some just had their access cut off, and some looked like nothing had happened at all.
We will face valleys in our lives; it’s not a matter of if, but when. Some of us may be traveling through the same valley at the same time, yet have entirely different experiences. What may seem like a mild inconvenience to one person may be entirely devastating for another. Some may receive minimal scars, while others may be totally unscathed.
During these low times, we often find ourselves unable to understand, and the enemy is quick to stir up doubts in our minds. We want to question God and His wisdom about these uneasy circumstances. In fact, we may even become bitter or angry towards God.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NJKV)
This scripture provides warning and encouragement. Becoming a Christian does not guarantee an easy life. In fact, Jesus has made it clear that following Him can lead to persecution and hard times will come. It also gives us a reflection of Christ Jesus. As Christians, we can rejoice in knowing that Jesus Christ has already claimed the ultimate victory through His death and resurrection. We can find peaceful rest trusting God to work out our situation according to His will. And there is nothing the world can do to you that will void this promise. Jesus claimed victory!
What do valleys teach us?
God's faithfulness: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
The valleys throughout Scripture remind us that God remains faithful to His promises. Even during your darkest moments, these valleys will not — and do not — define us; they will become a testimony of His faithfulness, as long as we stay faithful to receive His promise and stand firm in faith. The word 'stand' is an action verb. We must stand on His word and proclaim His promises. By standing firm in your faith, know that His promises are forever because God is unchangeable. We have the assurance that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God’s plan never changes, and neither does His truth. Hold fast to your faith, knowing that God is constant and timeless, and trust in His truth and promises. Jesus fully understands our pain and weakness, but not only does He understand, He has overcome. Knowing that Christ has already shown us the way, we can remain faithful in our valleys.
Testing and Patience: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
Valleys allow us to grow and mature spiritually. As our faith is tested, it produces patience. We learn to rely on God and develop a deeper trust in His plans and His timing. Expressing joy during our trials can be very difficult. However, the way we act and react to those trials is exceptionally critical. It’s about our faith and trust in God. He wants us to respond to those trials in a way that demonstrates our trust in Him. By doing so, then we’ll see the true joy that flows from trusting completely in Him. Be patient and have joy knowing that our God is faithful in all our circumstances.
God will provide: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
God utilizes valleys to shape us and develop endurance. He'll provide for our needs, giving us strength to endure your darkest moments. Life will present many challenges. Despite popular belief, this verse isn’t about winning a battle, nor does it teach that a Christian is empowered in every situation. Paul was enduring mistreatment and persecution; he wrote this passage while imprisoned. When you anchor yourself in faith and rely on God despite your situation, He will give you the strength to endure your struggles.
Hope: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
As you journey through life, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and lose hope. We can have hope in Christ Jesus despite your circumstances. Your struggles aren’t isolated, and these valleys can overshadow your joy with fear. It’s essential to understand that we can find hope and comfort in God’s Word. You can have peace, comfort, and guidance by sharing your struggles with God. Hope fuels our faith – every valley has a purpose, and every battle has an end. God can turn our trials into blessings and give us a future and hope, even in our darkest hour.
Growth: It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes (Psalm 119:71).
As Christians, we can rejoice in our sufferings. This doesn’t mean that we will be happy during hard times. It does mean we have the opportunity to grow in our faith and rely on God. When our character honors God, it produces hope. Placing our hope in Him and hoping to receive His goodness will never become a reason to become disappointed. These valleys can lead to remarkable growth, provided we are receptive and open to the lessons they offer.
Unity and Support: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
You aren’t alone! The body of Christ is designed for unity and support. When one of us is struggling, we can come alongside each other, sharing burdens, encouragement, and prayer. Together, we can navigate our individual valleys, lifting each other up and reminding one another of God’s love and promises.
Victory: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
The ultimate goal in overcoming the valleys we face is to glorify God and inspire others. Your victory becomes a testimony of His faithfulness and power. Through faith in Jesus, we can face any challenge, equipped with God’s strength. Walk in His purpose, lean on His strength, and live in daily victory. Remember, true victory is found only in Jesus.
The valleys you walk through are temporary, and God will never ask you to go through that valley alone.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).
About the Author
Tim Woods, M.Min.
Tim Woods lives in West Frankfort, Illinois, where he serves as Director of Student Ministries at First Christian Church and Jr. High/High School Teacher and Chaplain for New Covenant Christian School. Woods earned his B.Min. in Discipleship and M.Min. in Biblical Studies from Veritas Theological Seminary and is currently working toward a D.Min. He is the author of the forthcoming (2025) book, Battle for Souls (Illative House Press).
(c) 2025. Bellator Christi.
Tell that to the little girl who was gang-raped and is currently hemorrhaging to death in a ditch, while god, knowing where she is, allows the police and her family to be misled so long in chasing down false leads that they don't find her until perhaps years after she succumbed to this horror. Telling the world that surely god allowed this for the sake of a greater good, merely means you mistakenly think the doctrine of god's infinite love and wisdom is true. That doctrine is hardly settled or beyond reasonable doubt.
There is no apologetics force in responding to evil with assurances that god allowed it for the sake of a higher mysterious good.
And plenty of open-theist Christians like Clark Pinnock would agree that god's making of mistakes likely accounts for the fact that so much happens in the world contrary to god's desires.
And Calvinists tell me that if a little girl dies from such an attack screaming and with a sense of nothing but betrayal and abandonment, it's because god wanted her to feel that way. They also tell me that she was born under the wrath of god due to Original Sin, and therefore, god was never obligated to protect her in the first place, that's why he can't do anything wrong by just doing nothing to protect her. If not even spiritually alive people can agree on whether a little girl "deserves" to be refused god's hedge of protection, they are fools to expect spiritually dead people to manifest more accurate discernment. We have excuse, and so do corpses.