It was a weekend of refreshing and renewing. Time spent in close fellowship with other women and an intimate dwelling with the Lord during a weekend retreat in the mountains. We couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous setting as the afternoon sun lit up the turquoise sky and crisp mountain air rustled the leaves of the tall evergreens.  

God’s Word was prominent throughout; powerful messages were delivered and God worked in beautiful ways. It was the replenishing my soul was in need of.

As this blissful weekend came to end, it was time to pack up my things and trek down the mountain back into the valley. I paused one last time to take in the beauty all around and with a smile in my heart, I hopped in my car and began my journey down the mountain.

Still in the afterglow from my weekend retreat, I arrived home and prepared for the week ahead. I awoke the next day feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day – then it happened.

My day slowly took a turn for the worse. It began with a little bump in the morning, as the day progressed, this little bump grew and grew until the it became a boulder that rolled over me!

The minute I sluggishly walked through the door, my husband could see the defeat in my face. In this moment, I had a choice: 1) completely unravel and bring my husband into the entanglement with me or, 2) hand it over to the Lord and gain victory.

I chose the latter.

What could have easily been a ruined night with my husband, turned out to be a relaxing evening in each other’s company.

As I laid in bed that evening, replaying the craziness of the day, I clearly saw how God had prepared my heart for this moment. My flesh wanted to become undone, but God said, “Not on my watch.”

I believe God prepares us on the mountain so we can have victory in the valley. (Click to tweet)

Had I not spent much needed time with the Lord over the past few days, my Monday would have been madness, my attitude would have been bad, and my husband would not be talking to me right now.

That’s the greatness of our God. He knows precisely what we need, when we need it, the dilemma is – we think we know best.

Let’s be honest, when things are going well we take our foot off the gas in our pursuit of God, then when troubles arise, we react in our flesh instead of our faith.

So how can God prepare us on the mountain so we can have victory in the valley?

Here are 3 things you can practice daily:

1) Practice prayer

Prayer is designed to be our first response not our last resort. (click to tweet)

Colossians 4:2 says we are to “devote” ourselves to prayer. Devote in the dictionary means to give all or a large part of one’s time to. We drop to our knees when we are crushed by despair, but are we steadfast in prayer when all is well? Prayer is essential in strengthening our faith, it’s a sweet aroma on the mountain high and an S.O.S. signal in the valley low. 

2) Practice praise

Psalm 92:1-2 says, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night,” (‭NASB). 

I love how this verse tells us “it is good” to give thanks and sing praises to the Lord morning and night. Unlike prayer, praise is easily done on the mountaintop, but difficult to do in the valley. 

When we praise the Lord, we are acknowledging His goodness, greatness, lovingkindness, and faithfulness. Praise is good for our soul and it leaves our flesh powerless. 

3) Practice persistence

What good are the previous two things if only done sporadically? Persistence is key in gaining victory in the valley. First Chronicles 16:11 says we are to “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”(ESV). We are to seek the Lord continually, persistently and without ceasing!

We should be so busy looking up, we have no time to look at the troubles below. (click to tweet)

The Lord desires to prepare, equip, and strengthen our heart in advance so we can be victorious in the valley.

Stop and Reflect: Have you allowed God to prepare you on the mountain? Do you find you have Victory in your valleys, if not, why?

If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear your heart on today’s post. Feel free to share in the comments below. 

God bless. 

Anita Marie