Valley Gate

Nehemiah 2:17 ESV

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”

Valley Gate

Trial

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 CSB

12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

The trial is coming

not “if” but “when”

John 16:33

Reveals

Nothing reveals who you really are like going through a trial

It is easy to be holy when there is no temptation

It is easy to be joyful when everything is going right

Because God cares about the condition of the heart he allows seasons that push the heart to expose what is really there.

Romans 5:3–4 ESV

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,