The Unexpected Way

Restore your happy home.

Job 8:6 NLT

Looking at a beautiful mountain range, I considered how life is full of peaks and valleys. There are good moments and bad moments. But at the height of the peaks, I cannot see the valley ahead… just looming past the horizon.

Lately, our home life has been in the valley. You name it: health problems, financial crisis, stressful relationships, and surgeries have filled our world with difficulty. It has been a long valley that began years ago, and we are still in it.

It brings this verse to mind…

But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home (Job 8:5-6 NLT).

This is the prayer often whispered in my heart… Lord, please restore my happy home.

I don’t like it in the valley. I don’t think anyone really does. So, why does God allow valleys? He shares His reasons in Scripture. And I have learned God doesn’t always operate in the ways I expect.  

I have discovered one of the answers to why God allows the valley. When I am in the valley, I look around for God. I see Him with me. I see the evidence of God working in my life that I had not noticed before. God does not always change my circumstances, my valley, but I see Him changing me while in the valley.

Paul’s encouraging message to the Philippians that says in suffering, you can actually have joy, has helped me. Paul explains how to have joy… do you want to know how?

It is related to how you and I approach God in our thoughts. Paul gives a list of things to focus our thoughts on such as what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8 NLT).

I have learned, when I focus my thoughts on these good things from God, I am inviting God’s presence to enter my thoughts. And super-naturally, God joins me in that moment. The God of peace flooding my mind. And do you know what He brings to my mind with Him? His super-natural peace… and joy!

So even though my circumstances have not changed, I have changed. God has changed my thought life and filled me with His presence. This is His favor toward me.

My happy home is restored but in a different way than expected… the unexpected way within my heart!

Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me whispering… “I love you, trust me. Trust me to help you focus my heart and mind on My good things ushering in My peace and joy, restoring you.” Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness. I am grateful! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis