2025 was full of joy and hardship! I personally walked through several difficult seasons that hurt my heart and tested my faith, did you? While the mountaintop moments are always amazing, I feel I spent most of my time in the valleys. Thankfully, that’s where God seems to grow us the most. While packing up the tent I had pitched in my most recent valley experience, a few things came to mind:
God directs
We all love to be successful, don’t we? It’s rewarding to see the fruit of your labor and to know you’ve been a blessing to others. But how often do WE actually know the right way to go or how to accomplish something properly? We rely on God’s direction to show us where to go and what to do. Throughout the Bible, God consistently spoke to His people. He spoke through dreams, sent angels to relay His message, or prompted a fellow believer to share a word of encouragement or warning. Even in our lives today, God does not stay silent – He directs our paths if we will listen.
God protects
I love the saying, “The will of God will not lead you where the grace of God will not protect you!” While the saying may not be a Scripture verse, the concept is rooted in the Word. It reminds us we can trust God’s plan by embracing faith in uncertainty. Knowing He will “never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5) is the promise we can stand on. The path we’re called to walk may not always be easy, but we never walk it alone. God goes before us in everything He calls us to do.
God restores
At the end of a difficult season or when the battle is finally over – God is faithful to restore. We strive to hear “Well done good and faithful servant” knowing we’ve done our best and God’s done the rest. We will not win every battle. We will fall and we will fail. “But God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemy to give you victory!” (Deut 20:4) We may not hold every trophy, but God will provide victory in ways we could never imagine! When we’ve done all we can do and we’ve trusted Him in the midst of our struggle, God is faithful to restore what has been lost.
I’m certain 2026 will have it’s share of mountain top moments and seasons in the valley. But we are blessed to know God has gone before us, knows the plan and purpose He has in mind, and will use ALL things for our good and His glory! Here’s to another God filled year!
Be blessed!
Jennifer
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31