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- #033: You Can't Get to the Vision Without Going Through the Valley
#033: You Can't Get to the Vision Without Going Through the Valley
Why 90% of people stay stuck on Mount Just Enough—and what David knew that they don't
Ravi Patel & Chriss Mogaka
December 07, 2025
📱 TL;DR
David painted an analog picture in Psalm 23 we've been reading digitally for too long. Between two mountains is a valley—and you can't skip it. The valley isn't where you die—it's where God makes you strong enough to hold what He has waiting. Ready to walk through?
Welcome, Family
Last week we talked about speaking like Jesus spoke—with Assignment, Awareness, and Authority.
People pushed back, and I had people email me saying things like “it’s easy to speak with authority when things are going well, but I’m going through…” So this week, we're going deeper.
Because here's the thing: Before you can speak with power, you've got to survive the valley that gives you something to speak about.
I've been meditating on Psalm 23 all week. Not just reading it—meditating. And something hit me that I've never seen before:
This isn't just a comforting funeral poem. It's a map.
David, the shepherd-turned-king, painted a picture with words. And if you look closely, you'll see what most people miss: There are two mountains in Psalm 23.
How do I know? Because there's a valley.
And a valley—by definition—is the low, narrow passageway between two peaks. Let’s dive in together.
🍞 This Week's Bread
⏳ The Sign: Why 90% Never Leave Mount Just Enough
📖 The Word: David's Journey—Three Mountains, One Valley, One Truth
🌍 The Witness: Joseph's 13-Year Valley Before His Palace Appointment
🔥 The Work: Which Mountain Are You On Right Now?
⚡ Midweek Power: Wednesday Prayer for Valley Walkers
🙏 Prayer Corner: Breaking the Fear That Keeps You Stuck
🆕 First time here? - Come As You Are is your weekly dose of community, Scripture, and real talk that cuts through religious noise to find authentic faith.
⏳ The Sign
The Comfort Zone Epidemic
90% of the population lives in their comfort zone and will always stay there. Yet research shows people who stretch beyond their comfort zones are happier than those who do not.
The problem isn't lack of vision. The problem is fear of the valley.
We see the higher mountain. We hear God's call. But we won't move because the valley between here and there looks dark, dangerous, and deadly.
The valley scares us. But the valley is where we become who we need to be.
đź“– The Word
The Two Mountains of Psalm 23
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me... Thou preparest a table before me... my cup runneth over."
David painted a picture most people miss: There are two mountains in Psalm 23. How do I know? Because there's a valley—and a valley is the passageway between two peaks.
MOUNTAIN #1: Mount Just Enough
Where the shepherd ensures his flock lacks nothing. Contentment. Comfort. Confidence. Everything works—you're lying down, resting, blessed.
But one day you see it: another mountain across the way. Higher. Greener. A vision so clear you can't unsee it. Through prayer, you hear God's call: "I put you here, but I made you for there."
There's no helicopter. No shortcut. You've got to go through the valley to get to the vision.
THE VALLEY: Where You Stop Talking About God and Start Talking To Him
In the valley, you're walking now—tired, scared, confused. Notice the shift:
Mount Just Enough: "He maketh me... He leadeth me..."
The Valley: "Thou art with me... Thy rod and staff..."
To survive the valley, stop pontificating about Him and start praying to Him. The valley turns secondhand knowledge into firsthand experience. It's where God prepares you for what He already has ready.
MOUNTAIN #2: Mount More Than Enough
When you exit the valley: a prepared table, the anointing oil, an overflowing cup. You shift from blessed to be blessed to blessed to be a blessing—from receptacle to conductor.
Life is peaks and valleys, followed even more peaks peaks and valleys. But now you know how to walk through them with grace.
🌍 The Witness
Joseph—13 Years in the Valley
Joseph's story is the ultimate case study.
The Stats on Failure:
First-time founders face an 18% success rate
Those who have previously failed fare slightly better at 20%
Entrepreneurs who have already built a successful business enjoy the highest odds at 30%
Why? Because the valley teaches you what the classroom can't.
Joseph's journey:
Age 17: Dreams from God, sold by his brothers
Age 17-27: Slavery, false accusations, prison
Age 30: Prime Minister of Egypt
That's 13 years in the valley before his appointment.
What did he learn?
Character: Resisted Potiphar's wife
Humility: Served in prison
Wisdom: Managed Egypt's resources during famine
Joseph's story demonstrates that perseverance and trust in a greater plan can lead to remarkable transformations.
The valley wasn't wasted time. It was prep time.
🔥 The Work
Which Mountain Are You On?
1. Are You on Mount Just Enough?
Signs:
Life is comfortable, stable, predictable
You're lying down (resting, coasting)
You see a bigger vision but fear leaving
Your Move:
Pray for courage to come down when God shows you the next vision. Don't let comfort become a cage.
2. Are You in the Valley of Not Enough?
Signs:
The road feels long, dark, endless
You're walking (it's hard, exhausting)
You're questioning if the call was real
Your Move:
Stop talking about God. Start talking to God. Shift from "He" to "Thou." Remember: You came through this valley, not into it to stay.
3. Are You on Mount More Than Enough?
Signs:
Your cup is overflowing
You have resources, joy, encouragement to spare
You're a conductor, not just a receptacle
Your Move:
Use your overflow to bless others. You're not blessed to hoard—you're blessed to be a blessing.
🙏 PRAYER CORNER
This week, we’re interceding for:
Those stuck on Mount Just Enough out of fear
Those walking through the valley who feel like giving up
Those on Mount More Than Enough who need wisdom to steward their overflow
Courage to trust God's timing even when the valley is dark
đź“… What's Next
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✝️ Final Word
David painted a picture most of us have been reading like a digital signal—just comforting words.
But when you see the analog picture, everything changes:
Two mountains. One valley. One truth. You can't get to the vision without going through the valley.
90% of people will never leave their comfort zone. But those who do are happier. The valley isn't where you die. It's where you're prepared for what God already has ready for you.
Joseph spent 13 years in the pit and prison before his palace appointment.
How long is your valley? I don't know. But I know this: Keep walking. Stop talking about Him. Start talking to Him.
Goodness and Mercy are following you. The table is already set. The oil is waiting.
Never let me forget that I've got to go through the valley to get to the vision.
In His Love,
- Mogaka Events Ministry
P.S. The valley of disappointing always comes between the anointing and the appointing. Joseph knew it. David knew it. Now you know it. Don't quit in the valley—that's where God is making you strong enough to hold the vision when you get there.
Come As You Are is a Spirit-led devotional for young adults hungry for God's presence. Written by Ravi Patel and Chriss Mogaka.