So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. – 2 Corinthians 4:12

I believe that everyone of us has been through tough times in life. Things that we valued no longer hold the same value. Small things become big things, and what we once thought big no longer holds much importance.

These hard times allow us to identify with the sufferings of others. It keeps us from having a shallow view of the hardships others are going through and allows us to truly identify with them. Those who speak of trials with no real experiences often ended up in judging others facing hardships. It is a superficial Christian experience that often permeates shallow believers.

Those who have walked in hard times immediately have a kinship with others who have gone down the same road. There is no need of explanation; merely a look of mutual respect, understanding, empathy and admiration for common experience shared. They know that death has worked a special thing in them. This death leads to life in others because of the hard times God has taken them through.

It is impossible to appreciate any desert experience while you are in it. However, once you have walked out of it and reached the top of the mountain, you are able to appreciate what terrain you have passed through. You marvel at what you had gone through. The valley of the shadow of death has yielded more than you ever thought possible. You are able to appreciate the beauty of the experience and lay aside the sorrow and pain it may have produced to even helping others to walk through their own valley of death.

Death works in you for a greater purpose. If you are there today, be assured that God is producing something of much greater value than you will ever know before.

Question yourself:

• Are you in any valley of death right now where you feel God is not with you?

• Are you able to share your journey with others who may be going through what you had experienced and in what ways?