• faith
  • life
  • motherhood
  • books
  • family
  • home
  • food
  • travel
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • blog
  • about
  • Beautycounter
  • podcast
  • design
chelsea eubank

chelsea eubank

stories + graces of everyday life with God

  • about
  • podcast
  • Design
  • Shop
  • clean beauty
  • contact

A Different View Of Mountains And Valleys

01/28/2016 · In: faith

God can be experienced powerfully and deeply in the valley as well as on the mountaintop. | heartnatured

If you’ve been in church for awhile, you’ve probably heard the term “mountaintop experience” or mountaintop “high.” Am I wrong? It was a buzzword while I was coming up through my youth group. It might have been a weekend retreat or summer camp, or simply great day… a mountaintop high with Jesus. A feeling that I’d always challenge myself to hold on to even in my regular life. And sometimes, mountaintop experiences were/are the sweetest of sweet, full of joy and gratitude and refreshment. But growing up, I’ve learned something invaluable:

God can be experienced powerfully and deeply in the valley as well as on the mountaintop.

Life is so unpredictable; I could be on the mountaintop and in the valley in the same week! Sometimes the mountaintops aren’t all that they are cracked up to be, and sometimes the valleys can be transforming.

To take a different step, I’ve noticed that oftentimes when I desperately want to stay on the mountaintop, it results in fear of honesty, of humility, and I’m paralyzed by perfectionism. On the mountaintop, I’m isolated, and there isn’t a lot of breathing room. I feel like a freezer forever attempting to keep myself at constant, controlled, appealing temperature. If I aim to live on the mountaintop, there’s no room to slip so I exhaust myself trying to stay there. It is usually lonely, because the unrealistic standard hardly leaves room for others to join me. The mountaintop is sometimes where we daily try our best to do godly things, produce spiritual fruit, and put on a mask of ‘put-together-ness.’ Am I making any sense?

Then there’s the valley. Normally looked down upon, often judged or feared, and sometimes a battle. But the valley is where the rivers run, it’s where the soil is. The valley is where I have all kinds of space to spread out, to connect with others who are there (which is probably everyone, if they are honest), to practice letting people see my raw insides. It’s where shields can come down, where I look up to see God more clearly, where I can slow down enough to listen.

To be honest, with all of this neck trouble I’m having, it puts me in a valley of sorts. I’m uncomfortable 80% of the time, I’m slightly discouraged, I’m even a little indifferent, unmotivated some areas. My normal routine of activity and exercise has been thrown off, and I’m trying to re-acclimate. But, in His grace, I feel God saying,

“Girl, here is where you are. Get the Valley Chair out of the closet and have a seat. My eye is on you. I am with you. Sit with Me in this time. Rest and trust the good purposes I have for this.”

Valleys vary from person to person, from season to season, and can be a rich time.

  • Here is where I can confront how I place my identity/worth in worldly endeavors.
  • Here is where I can experience a dependence on God that is unmatched.
  • Here is where I can be vulnerable with my husband and close friends, confessing my weakness.
  • Here is where I remember that my body is only a jar of clay, and that it can manifest Jesus no matter what state it is in, if I choose.
  • Here is where I slow down, recognize Jesus as my indomitable joy, and treasure my reality as a child of God’s.

In a valley, I practice honesty. I practice asking for help (of people and of His Spirit). I practice confession. I practice a spirit of presence + intimacy, in contrast to working + fixing. I practice gratitude. I practice ‘Gospeling myself,’ haha.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;  the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:11-12

Here are my imperfect, human thoughts. Are you currently in a valley or on a mountaintop? Do you have your own valley chair in the closet?

By: Chelsea Eubank · In: faith · Tagged: biblical truth

you’ll also love

a place of ‘just enough’
Reading and Listening | No. 45
Reading and Listening | No. 44

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says

    01/29/2016 at 7:37 pm

    I love this metaphor, Chelsea– and the authenticity of your thoughts. I honestly feel that I’ve been on mountains and in valleys all within this one month, but God has promised to be Lord over it all. Love the space where we can simply be his children, no more and no less.

  2. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/29/2016 at 8:23 pm

    Daisy, I love how you put that, “God has promised to be Lord over it all.” It’s so true, and often forgotten. I feel like valleys are also places where my doubting spirit is forced to trust His character, His heart. Even if I’m confused or disappointed, I have to trust that He is good, and that He cares ultimately for me.

  3. Martha Lutier says

    01/29/2016 at 10:09 pm

    I will come sit with you in the valley seat and hold your hand!

  4. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/29/2016 at 10:10 pm

    You do by praying for me!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Clothe Yourself With Patience: Lauren

Primary Sidebar

Search

I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend passionate about cultivating a rich life with God.

This blog is equal parts family stories, faith reflections and creative delight.

I read a lot. I eat peanut butter every day. I like shopping secondhand. I love hosting people in our home.

Writing helps me pay attention, and paying attention keeps me grateful.

Glad you're here!

Series on the Blog

  • Reading and Listening
  • Current Read
  • Joy Triggers
  • Instagram Archives
  • Clothe Yourself With
  • Perspectives
  • Truth To Consider
  • grateful list
  • A Few Things

THE PODCAST

the email

archives

topics

abiding anna art & design beautycounter biblical truth birthdays body image books clothe yourself series crushing on current read faith family fear food goals God God's presence grace gratitude him holidays inspirational words Jesus joy triggers julia Kids learned life life with God love marriage me motherhood music photography prayer reading and listening recipes reflection simplicity social media spiritual growth travel wisdom

Footer

Listening

  • BEMA
  • Pray the Word
  • Church of the City
  • Elisabeth Elliot
  • Raising Boys and Girls

Reading

  • Jasmine Holmes
  • Henri Nouwen
  • Justin Earley
  • Helen Smallbone
  • Darrell Johnson

engaging the Church & kindling love for God one testimony at a time

Listen in as people just like you share about their life with God.

Check out my podcast!

Copyright © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue