The Seven Valleys

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Comment by Tamara on September 6, 2009 at 11:48am

Interesting Iain,patience as I have said before is the one thing that I lack! I find myself at this tie of year lacking patience due to the start of school lessons scheduling,finding new clients etc.This happens every year for me at this time so it's not like I don't see it coming.I guess Ihave learned in this process that Ihave to continually trust in God no matter what happens,and never be sad,it makes my lamp grow dim and I don't want that.Its hard to not go to that place but I always have to remind myself,how does it help serve the Cause if I go there?Ending up there over and over again may be progress,its just in how you look at it?You are never in the same place twice in your life because you have always learned something!

Comment by Todd on September 6, 2009 at 11:46am

Hi lain, I once heard a wonderful analogy about the process of spiritual progress in response to a comment very similar to the one you shared. The speaker said that it is like you are cleaning a table until its perfectly clean. At that moment someone turns the light up a little and all of a sudden you see all these spots on the table. So you clean again and, as soon as its perfect, someone turns the light up a little more. You are frustrated because you continue to clean the same spots over and over and feel that you may not be making any progress. Perhaps though, it is that your vision is becoming clearer and, as such, are able to see areas to progress in that were previously not apparent. 8-)

Comment by Iain Byers on September 6, 2009 at 11:02am

I'm not sure why I have come back here after so many months. I don't have any profound observations to make about how inspiring the Seven Valleys is (are?) for me, but lately I have felt like once again I have found myself back in the Valley of Search. And I seem to keep ending up there, over and over. It makes me feel like I'm not making any spiritual progress at all! I guess that's why the steed of this Valley is patience. I know it says "Nor should he ever be downhearted..." and "...if he strive for a hundred thousand years...he should not falter," but it is hard not get downhearted.