Descending from the Mountain Top

During the month of October,
I spent time
Celebrating God's

Amazing Blessings.

And as I celebrated His past blessings, God showered me with some wonderful gifts as constant reminders of His goodness and love.

(For details of the gifts read posts from Oct 16 - Oct 29, 2010.)

The month was truly

a "mountain top" experience. 

Often after something wonderful happens, we have a "let down". We go from the high mountain top of rejoicing down to the depths of despair.  Why the extremes? I think it's one way Satan discourages us and tries to make us forget God's goodness and love. Satan doesn't want us to rejoice in God's goodness. Rather, Satan wants us to wallow in defeat and despair. Satan wants to keep us in the lowest valley he can find. 

However, Satan forgets that even.....

Though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You [God] are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The past two weeks, I've been doing a Bible Study on "In the Presence of Jehovah". (Based on the song sung by Damaris Carbaugh.)
One passage of Scripture used was Psalm 34:17-19.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 

As part of the study I was to rewrite these verses in my own words, making them personal to me. Little did I realize how studying these verses would be vital to "coming off the mountain top" this past week. However, God knew exactly what I'd need and made sure I'd study these verses at the exact time I'd need them! Here is how I made the verses personal to me: 

When I appeal to God for help, understanding, support, comfort, He gives earnest heed to snatch away all my affliction, anguish, distress. The Eternal One is near (place & time) to pulverize my will and mind to give me victory.  I may have an abundance of discouragement, hurt, harm, but Jehovah, snatches me away and spares me from all, the entirety of  that which concerns me.

Satan has been using my pain to create fear in my heart and mind. (Similar to this blog post: Fear Creates Its Own Reality.) Being off pain medications since this Summer has been the most difficult challenge in my life. A few weeks ago, a new injury has increased my pain. It's even more difficult to function with this new level of pain. Satan likes to use my pain to change my focus from being in God's presence to living a life of fear and hopelessness.

Yet, as I consider that....

God gives EARNEST HEED to SNATCH AWAY all my anguish.... HE IS NEAR (place and time—that means HERE RIGHT NOW!), and God SNATCHES me away and SPARES me from the ENTIRETY of what concerns me....

....I can't help but think—
WOW!

God is present with me. God is VERY AWARE of my pain. He is very aware of Satan and his attacks on me. God isn't JUST AWARE—GOD is TAKING ACTION! He is and will care for me. 

God may not lower my pain level, but what God will do—if I allow Him—is PULVERIZE my WILL and MIND. What does that mean? That means that God will give me a NEW way of thinking. God will take my fear and replace it with His peace and calmness. God will give me strength to continue on the journey He's planned for me. 

So, as I come off the mountain top of Celebrating God's goodness—yes, Satan is waiting—however, my God is right there with me.

You see, God didn't stay on the top of the mountain.

He came down with me too!

For God is NEAR in PLACE AND TIME! WOW!!! 

If you are in a valley right now,

spend some time IN THE PRESENCE OF JEHOVAH.

Spending time with God is the only way

to create a positive day

as you walk through a valley!