By Sukky Fagbohun           

 Sometime during the course of human existence, we are bound to come across mountains or valleys. The beauty of nature becomes visibly apparent when it is viewed in the light of the mountains and the shadow of the valleys.

What makes or breaks the human, is not the mountain or the valley, but the response to its existence in our lives at any given time.  Many of us will speak to our mountains as Jesus enjoins, others will turn their mountains into a thrilling adventure by climbing until they get to the summit, while some will try to circumvent the mountain, by going around it in a most difficult way; which at times might force them to swim through a muddy river.

If we happen to find ourselves in the valley, we must not be troubled because the best times of our lives can actually be times in the valley. When we look close enough, we will definitely see Jesus, the Lilly of the valley, the bright and morning star.   The brightness of His presence will illuminate our paths so that darkness will not overcome us.

Many fail to see the beauty in the valley because they focus solely on their problems. The best way out of the valley is to get your focus off yourself and unto the Lord.  The selfish person will never dig his way out of the valley.

God puts the Lilly in the valley to remind us that he is there.  Life exists even in the valley.  

When we are going through the thorns of our lives, it is paramount to remember that the beautiful and majestic Rose of Sharon blooms only among thorns. Without the thorny stems, the beauty of the rose will never be displayed. The delicate flower stands majestically and delicately without being ripped damaged or destroyed by its cruel environment.  We also must stand as a rose among thorns and never allow the thorns of life to tear, mar, damage or destroy us.

The revelation of the above philosophy causes me to dance in the valley of sickness, because by His stripes I am healed. I will dance in the valley of sorrow because the Joy of the Lord is my strength. I will definitely dance in the valley because I know that I am walking through and not camping out there. I will dance because nothing really can get me down; put me under or slow me down. The world does not determine my joy, God does.