Decisions in the Valley

Making decisions is part of everyday life. It is a process that impacts every sphere of our lives. Decisions can have an enormous impact on our present and future. Good and sober decisions will lead to success and happiness. Bad decisions will lead to failure and regret. The Bible teaches that haste in our decisions is foolishness (Proverbs 29:20). We also see that the Bible commends those that carefully consider their steps (Proverbs 14:15). But the question is, “how do we know if our judgment is sober or haste?” It may depend on what your current spiritual situation is.  

Will we make life altering decisions in a place of prayerlessness? Will we make decisions that will impact our world, when we are in a valley of uncertainty?  

I urge you to refrain from making life decisions in the valley. The valley represents a place and time of darkness and uncertainty. For the believer, it may represent a time of spiritual weakness. In the valleys of life, some have left their places of worship, quit their jobs, left their spouses, and have even abandoned their families. The Psalmist David said “Even 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” (Psalm 23:4). In a time of his life, when all seemed grim and helpless, David resolved in his heart to trust and wait on God.   

When we are experiencing pain or the discomfort of uncertainty, the last thing we want to do is wait. I encourage you to take the attitude of David. In one of the darkest valleys of his life, he waited on God. He did not overlook the reality that was before him, but neither did he act in a way that would have hurt himself or those around him. The impact of bad decisions is very difficult to overturn and the path they take us down is more than often far from our divine destiny. The time will come when you will have to make swift and stern decisions. Let those moments be from a place of clarity and prayer.   

If in this day you find yourself in a state of uncertainty or spiritual weakness, and now you are at the edge of making a decision that will have a great impact – Don’t Do It!  Again, I urge you to refrain from making life decisions in the valley. Let everything you do be seasoned with prayer. Let the Lord guide you. Wait on the Lord to pull you up from the valley. And from that position of prayer and strength, execute His perfect will for your life, through sound and sober decisions.  

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)   

Pastor Luis Vergara