Words By Mae

A few mornings ago, I read an encouraging Bible verse:

As they go through the Valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.

Psalm 84:6; ESV

Right before this verse, the people “they” refers to are ones whose strength is in God. After Verse 6, it mentions they go from “strength to strength.”

I don’t know about you or what you believe, but I want to be known as a person of strength: to be brave, vulnerable, determined, to have healthy fear but not let it hold me back, to press on.

This verse stuck out to me, because I know it to be true.

If I find myself in the valley — the valley of sorrow or longing or suffering — I try to find a source of strength: usually it’s found in scripture or my relationship with Christ, but supplemented by my support system and community, refined by those who listen and give wisdom and advice.

And it’s when I lean on these strengths that I’m made stronger, and I am able to find springs — early rain and pools — in the dry, dark valley. I’m able to celebrate!

If you’re in a valley, I hope you find strength.

I say “it’s ok to not be ok” a lot in the space, which I also find to be encouraging and truthful. But I think we can be strong while simultaneously embracing our not OK circumstances.

Surprisingly, lately, I’ve been OK. I’ve been mentally healthy and well and stable, and while I’m emotionally facing a tough relationship, I’m setting boundaries and pursuing emotional health, too.

But if you’re not like me, if you’re not OK and you’re deeply struggling or hurting, I encourage you to find your strength. It can be in friendships or therapy, it can be in faith or meditation, it can be in one or all of the above.

Whatever it is, I hope it fuels you, I hope it gives strength to your soul and brings springs to your valleys.