Life Principle 29
We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops. (James 5:10)
We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops. (James 5:10)
Life’s Questions
Perhaps you’ve noticed that many of the Life Principles are focused on how you respond to adversity. This is because of the precept found in Life Principle 29: We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.
God often leads us through difficult times to teach us. Of course, you may be disheartened while staring up at the obstacles that surround you. Your challenges may be so immense and your choices so limited that you feel weak—completely unable to crawl out of the valley. You may even be tempted to think, Is this it? Is this all there is? Is this the end of my story?
If that’s the case, then be encouraged. This is not the end of your story. Things will change because God’s will for you is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). However, right now, there is something that God wants you to learn. Consider how He is working in your life. What is God teaching you through this valley?
What the Bible Says
Read James 1:1–8. To whom is this letter written (Jas 1:1)?
*** James is writing to the Jewish Christians that were described in Life Principle 28, who were driven from Jerusalem by the persecution of the Jewish authorities (see Acts 8:1–4). They were away from their homes and families—and not welcomed by their new communities.
Why were these brethren to be joyful in their trials (Jas 1:2-3)?
Why is patience such an important characteristic (Jas 1:4)?
How can believers remain patient in difficult situations (5; also see Prov. 2:2–8)?
Read James 5:7–11. What are believers to look forward to (Jas 1:7)?
Why do you think grumbling against others increases when we’re under pressure (Jas 1:9)?
How can we avoid complaining when we’re in a difficult situation (Jas 1:9)?
Why is remembering the prophets—such as Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and so on—encouraging to us (Jas 1:10-11; also see Rom. 15:4)?
*** Sometimes God allows us to go without any earthly or human comfort so that we will turn completely to Him.
What It Means
There are two words in the New Testament for patience. The first has to do with difficult circumstances and means to stay the course or endure. The second is more personal because it has to do with how we relate to other people. It means to stay away from rage or furious outbursts. The believers that James was writing to could have gotten angry and struck out at their persecutors. They were even beginning to turn on one another. However, James admonished them to be patient and trust God. He wrote, “We count them blessed who endure ... the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).
Is your trial exposing areas of anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness in your life? Are you finding it difficult to persevere because you don’t trust God with certain issues? Then you are starting to understand what He wants you to learn through your trial. Remember, you will be blessed if you endure. Therefore, embrace what He’s teaching you.
Life Examples
Read James 5:13–16. How do your trials help you grow closer to others and to God?
Read 1 Kings 17:1 and 18:1. How long did the land go without rain?
Read 1 Kings 18:41–45. What did Elijah say would happen (1 Kings 18:41)?
Then what did Elijah do (1 Kings 18:41-42)?
How many times did Elijah tell his servant to go and check for rain (1 Kings 18:43)?
How did God answer Elijah’s prayer (1 Kings 18:45)?
Read James 5:17–18. Why does knowing that Elijah is just like you help you when you’re in the valley?
Living the Principle
Anytime you experience adversity, it is because God wants to show you His power and love. He may be getting your attention to free you from some emotional bondage or destructive habits. There may be an attitude or behavior in your life that is hindering His work, and He needs to eliminate it. Perhaps there is some precious quality that He wants to develop in you.
Whatever the reason for the trial, God never means it for your harm. Rather, He means it for your good, so that you can you become everything that you were created to be and experience His abundant blessings. Therefore, respond in the way that honors Him. Stay close to Him in prayer and through His Word—obeying whatever He tells you to do. Learn through your valley experiences so that God can prepare you for the mountaintops, because your story is not over. The best is still to come.
*** Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)
How will you live out Life Principle 29 this week? Discuss the valleys that you’ve been experiencing and what God is teaching you through them. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Perhaps you’ve noticed that many of the Life Principles are focused on how you respond to adversity. This is because of the precept found in Life Principle 29: We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.
God often leads us through difficult times to teach us. Of course, you may be disheartened while staring up at the obstacles that surround you. Your challenges may be so immense and your choices so limited that you feel weak—completely unable to crawl out of the valley. You may even be tempted to think, Is this it? Is this all there is? Is this the end of my story?
If that’s the case, then be encouraged. This is not the end of your story. Things will change because God’s will for you is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). However, right now, there is something that God wants you to learn. Consider how He is working in your life. What is God teaching you through this valley?
What the Bible Says
Read James 1:1–8. To whom is this letter written (Jas 1:1)?
*** James is writing to the Jewish Christians that were described in Life Principle 28, who were driven from Jerusalem by the persecution of the Jewish authorities (see Acts 8:1–4). They were away from their homes and families—and not welcomed by their new communities.
Why were these brethren to be joyful in their trials (Jas 1:2-3)?
Why is patience such an important characteristic (Jas 1:4)?
How can believers remain patient in difficult situations (5; also see Prov. 2:2–8)?
Read James 5:7–11. What are believers to look forward to (Jas 1:7)?
Why do you think grumbling against others increases when we’re under pressure (Jas 1:9)?
How can we avoid complaining when we’re in a difficult situation (Jas 1:9)?
Why is remembering the prophets—such as Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and so on—encouraging to us (Jas 1:10-11; also see Rom. 15:4)?
*** Sometimes God allows us to go without any earthly or human comfort so that we will turn completely to Him.
What It Means
There are two words in the New Testament for patience. The first has to do with difficult circumstances and means to stay the course or endure. The second is more personal because it has to do with how we relate to other people. It means to stay away from rage or furious outbursts. The believers that James was writing to could have gotten angry and struck out at their persecutors. They were even beginning to turn on one another. However, James admonished them to be patient and trust God. He wrote, “We count them blessed who endure ... the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).
Is your trial exposing areas of anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness in your life? Are you finding it difficult to persevere because you don’t trust God with certain issues? Then you are starting to understand what He wants you to learn through your trial. Remember, you will be blessed if you endure. Therefore, embrace what He’s teaching you.
Life Examples
Read James 5:13–16. How do your trials help you grow closer to others and to God?
Read 1 Kings 17:1 and 18:1. How long did the land go without rain?
Read 1 Kings 18:41–45. What did Elijah say would happen (1 Kings 18:41)?
Then what did Elijah do (1 Kings 18:41-42)?
How many times did Elijah tell his servant to go and check for rain (1 Kings 18:43)?
How did God answer Elijah’s prayer (1 Kings 18:45)?
Read James 5:17–18. Why does knowing that Elijah is just like you help you when you’re in the valley?
Living the Principle
Anytime you experience adversity, it is because God wants to show you His power and love. He may be getting your attention to free you from some emotional bondage or destructive habits. There may be an attitude or behavior in your life that is hindering His work, and He needs to eliminate it. Perhaps there is some precious quality that He wants to develop in you.
Whatever the reason for the trial, God never means it for your harm. Rather, He means it for your good, so that you can you become everything that you were created to be and experience His abundant blessings. Therefore, respond in the way that honors Him. Stay close to Him in prayer and through His Word—obeying whatever He tells you to do. Learn through your valley experiences so that God can prepare you for the mountaintops, because your story is not over. The best is still to come.
*** Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4)
How will you live out Life Principle 29 this week? Discuss the valleys that you’ve been experiencing and what God is teaching you through them. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- Adversity gets our attention (see Ps. 77:2).
- Adversity leads to examination (see Ps. 77:6-12).
- Adversity leads to a change in behavior (see Ps. 119:67).