What To Do In the Tough Times

Isaiah 22:1

The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

The valley is often a symbol of tough times. In the verse above, we see Isaiah talking about the burden of the valley. Certainly, the valley can be tough to walk through, especially the valley that he was prophesying about to Israel. Jerusalem is a city that is in a valley, and Isaiah was prophesying about the impending invasion of Jerusalem by the Assyrians under Sennacherib. Though this verse is a prophecy of this invasion, I find there are several lessons we ought to apply to our lives during the tough times the valleys of life bring.

First, walk in the valley. Psalm 23:4 says, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… When you look at this verse in context, you see that we walk with God in the valley. When life brings tough times, the one thing you must do is continue to walk with God. Never allow the tough times of life cause you to run from everyone, including your walk with God. You may not feel like doing anything, but stopping your walk with God will not make the valley any better. The best action to take in tough times is to walk with God in His Word and in prayer.

Second, walk in the valley. I know I just said this, but when I say walk in the valley, I mean to get up and continue life. The worst thing you can do when the valley comes is to stop. Life goes on, and you cannot let the valley stop you. When tough times come, keep doing what you've always done. Do not let the tough times of life cause you to surrender to life and do nothing. You must continue walking and face life, and not let the tough times stop you.

Third, get a vision in the valley. The verse above talks about the valley of vision. I have learned in life that the best thing to do when I'm in the valley is to get a vision of what God can do through me. You must remember that the valley is where David defeated Goliath. You will never overcome your tough times if you don't get a vision to do something for God. Get a vision. Plan to do BIG things for God while you are in the valley. Getting a vision for God to do greater things for you while you are in the valley will keep the valley from overwhelming you.

Fourth, glorify God in the valley. Isaiah 24:15 says, Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires…. You have a reason to glorify the LORD, and that is that He is doing something miraculous in your life, even if you cannot see it. Let the fires of life become the moment that God does something great through you. Many people have turned their fires into ministries, which allowed them to glorify the LORD in the fires. If you turn your tough time into a ministry to help others, it will allow you to glorify the LORD in the fires.

Fifth, serve the LORD. Isaiah 26:8 says, Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee…. The word wait means to serve. Keep serving God in the tough times. Do not stop what you are doing, for you can never glorify God in the tough times if you stop serving Him. Serving God in the tough times will turn the tough times into fruitful times.

Sixth, sing in the tough times. Isaiah 27:2 says, In that day sing…. Singing keeps you from pouting in the tough times, and it will give you a joyful spirit. Singing in the valley helps you to keep a right spirit and shows others that God is still God in the valleys.