An Eternal Perspective – Hannah Middleton

At the beginning of the year I walked into the darkest valley I have ever experienced.

I fought battles I never imagined I would set foot into. There were days I hoped for death, moments I was tempted with it. My body felt like it was dying, and it was as if someone else was in my head. To care for my children seemed an impossible task. Hopelessness crept in and His peace was far from me. I could not sense Him. I knew my feet were planted on The Rock but there were moments the waves disoriented me.

“Jesus help me, Jesus help me” I would say hundreds of times a day. I knew He was all I needed but, where was He? The days blurred together, and the nights were long. He kept me from many temptations as I waited for Him. And He came as He always does, He is truly nothing but faithful.

He spoke, and in that moment, I was free, free from everything in that valley that engulfed me. There was peace and I felt His presence. It was as if He lifted me up above that darkness and I could see the end of it, I could see eternity. I saw His purpose. I felt very small and fading, like a breath. Ecclesiastes became truer. I can bare this; I can walk through this valley for Jesus.

I have been given a new perspective by the Lord’s grace. I am not free of this valley, but the darkness is not quite as dark and heavens just around the bend! There has been a shift within me and I do not care about anything else. All that will pass away no longer matters to me as it once did.

The song “All I Once Held Dear” by Robin Mark has been my anthem.

“Now my heart’s desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All-surpassing gift of righteousness

Knowing You, Jesus
Knowing You
There is no greater thing
You’re my all, You’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love You, Lord

Oh, to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die”

If you are facing the darkness of your valley or if the waves are crashing over your head, hold on. He will be your help; He will be your strength. Do not cease to cry out to Him for even though the darkness lasts what seems like forever; eternity is just around the bend! Even Jesus had to look ahead to the other side of the cross. Keep your feet on the Rock, He will come and He will bring the change only He can bring.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” –2 Corinthians 4:16-18