
Matthew 14:26-31 KJV
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Life on this earth, even for a child of God, can at times feel like a roller coaster ride. There are what we will call the “ups” and there are times we will call the “downs.” The mountain top and the valleys, if you will.
One can be at the top of the mountain and then a bit later, find themselves down in the valley dealing with the troubles of life.
Even though it doesn’t feel good or instructive, these episodes in the valley are actually teaching us a lesson and preparing us for the next valley. No, we generally don’t think about the next valley when we are dealing with the present one, but God does.
One thing we can be sure of is that God always has a purpose in what He allows in our life and from the “downs” or valleys can come wisdom, encouragement, a stronger faith and more trust. These positives can come if we let them, by learning what God is trying to teach us.
Take for example, the life of the apostle Peter.
Peter certainly had his ups and downs. In spite of the great things that he did, he was inconsistent in that some of his successes would be followed by failure and trouble. In the scripture above, Peter was on the mountain top as he walked on the water, but down in the valley when he began to sink.

Yet, Peter did not let his troubles defeat him. Through it all during his time with Jesus, he was able to learn from his troubles and grow spiritually into one who would give his life for Christ.
LET'S LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET--WHAT?

I will use the analogy of the stock market as an unexpected comparison to how to handle all of the ups and downs of life.
The markets ebb and flow based on the overall economy and they have ups and downs. The ups come with economic growth and expansion and the downs come when the economy contracts which leads to a recession.
Economists teach us that the ups and downs in the economy and in the markets are absolutely necessary for a growing economy. In fact, the downs in the market are making the next bull market or “up” possible.
Investors who have been successful never let greed (during the ups) or fear (during the downs) control their decision making. In other words, they control their emotions and don’t let them rule. In other words, they don’t get “too high” on the mountaintop or “too low” in the valleys and panic is a word that never applies.
Plus, once going through a market decline, investors are more prepared for the next pullback and emotionally able to handle it.
Can you see the analogy? Can you see where this is going?
WITHOUT THE DOWNS, THE UPS WOULD MEAN NOTHING

When we face the valleys that surely come our way, we should remember a great gospel song lyric that says, "The God of the mountain, is the God of the valley."
Through our difficulties He wants us to depend on Him and grow closer to Him.
We must implement in our spiritual life, what the great investors have learned about the markets. When we are down, or in the valley, we are being prepared for the future.
When in the valley, we cannot let our emotions control our reactions.
We must remain sure and steadfast, depending on God to help us through the valley and up the mountain side again.
We must not panic and let our valleys defeat us, otherwise Satan will win, and we will not learn what God is trying to teach us.
So, enjoy the mountain tops for they are wonderful.
Then, persevere during the troubles that come in the valleys. For God has a purpose and He uses valleys to help us grow and conform us to be more like Christ.
Always remember, God is not only the God of the mountaintop, but He is also the God of every valley you will face in your life.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
RVH