The Valley of Dry Bones
You might be wondering why “Valley of Potential” is my choice for a motivational site name. Well, when I first started dreaming up names for this new motivational blog, I wanted something that conveyed both challenge and hope. We’ve all been in valleys during our lives, whether that’s a tough breakup, job loss, illness or other hardship. Those low points can make you feel like you’re surrounded by nothing but “dry bones”, as the Bible puts it, with no signs of life or promise ahead.
But valleys don’t have to represent only death or despair. They can also symbolise enormous untapped potential, just waiting for the right circumstances to blossom. After all, some of the most scenic and inspiring destinations in the world are beautiful valleys. And it’s often during or after struggling through hard times that we gain the insight and strength to achieve great things.
That’s why I felt the name “Valley of Potential” fit so well for this site. We’re all capable of so much more than we realize – we just have to walk through our valleys first to find it. This blog is meant as a place of encouragement and practical advice for anyone feeling stuck in their own “Valley of Dry Bones”. Whether you’ve lost your job, ended a relationship, been sidelined by illness or are simply in a rut, I hope these posts help remind you that on the other side of difficulty lies an abundance of potential, just waiting to be unlocked.
With insights from biblical passages as well as real people’s stories of overcoming adversity, my goal is to shine a light for those in dark valleys and give a vision of the potential-filled landscape ahead. There are always new heights to scale if we maintain hope and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Thanks for starting this journey with me – I hope it helps lead you from darkness to light.
I was reading this commentary on that passage in Ezekiel 37, It gives a very interesting take that captures the eerie atmosphere that Ezekiel encounters in this vision. There are thousands and thousands of dry bones, and only God himself knows the length of time (which could have been thousands of years) that they have been lying there and the extent of damage to each one of them. God goes on to further instruct Ezekiel to prophesy life to the bones, and they come together and come to life. As much as this prophecy exudes a preternatural atmosphere, the bones are resuscitated and restored to life.
Ezekiel 37:1–11, and the hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life…"
Finding hope in hopeless situations
Man, we’ve all been there – feeling totally stuck in a “Valley of Death”, you know? Like everything’s gone dry and dead inside, with no light to be found anywhere. Ezekiel knew that feeling too when he talked about those scattered bones out in the wilderness. But his message gives me hope. Even when it seems all is lost, God can breathe new life in.
That’s why I like to think of those dark places as more of a “Valley of Potential”. Sure, things may look bleak on the surface. But underneath, possibilities are still waiting to sprout. There’s always a chance for better days ahead if we just believe. And frankly, I don’t think any of us makes it through this life without hitting a few of those valleys now and then.
The thing is, we have to remember we’re not alone. God is walking with us every step. And like those bones shows, even when we’re feeling broken down, with His help we can pull ourselves back together piece by piece. Face whatever’s trying to bury us and rise up stronger. All it takes is keeping an open heart and refusing to give in to hopelessness, you feel me?
Even in death, there are seeds of life. Even in our darkest hour, God sees in us the ability to rise up stronger. When we hit rock bottom, it’s natural to lose sight of our strengths and gifts. But they’re still there, buried deep below the surface, ready to blossom again with a little breathing room and nurturing care. The support of loved ones, faith communities, medical help – these can all help furnish the right conditions for our potential to emerge.
So if you feel like you’re in a valley of your own, hold on to hope. Turn your eyes to the potential waiting underneath. You have what it takes to rebuild – piece by piece, day by day. And you don’t have to do it alone. With grit and community, you can absolutely rise up and blossom once more.
Overcoming in the Valley of Death
I am reminded of a story shared by American author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. He spoke of a young beggar who sat on the street, selling pencils. A lot of people would pass this young man and simply hand him a dollar without paying much attention to the pencils that he was selling, and likewise, a businessman passing through that street corner dropped a dollar and hurried off. However, he quickly had a change of heart and went back to the young man, took a pencil, and said to him, “You are a businessman, not a beggar.”
The businessman would frequent this corner and purchase a pencil from this young man. One day he passed through the corner, and the young man was not there. He just assumed that the young lad had moved street corners. Years later, the businessman attended a networking event, and a young man dressed in a suit approached him and introduced himself: “You probably do not remember me, and I do not know your name, but I will never forget you.” You are the man who gave me back my dignity. “I was a beggar selling pencils until you came along and told me that I was a businessman.”
I am taken aback by this story because it resonates with what I am trying to put across. Many people have climbed mountains because someone else believed in their capabilities. We cannot overcome obstacles on our own; we need someone to recognise the potential in us and motivate us towards our goals, be they personal or business.
Just as the first step to success and overcoming obstacles is knowing your own potential, the second step is knowing the potential of others. Fortunately, as we recognise our own abilities, it’s easy to recognise the abilities of others. Once we see it, we can help them discover it for themselves. That is how we overcome the Valley of Death and unleash the Valley of Potential!
Tips to overcome in the Valley of Death
Remember that valleys are just seasons. As the old saying goes, “this too shall pass.” Every one of us goes through highs and lows, and the low periods are often where the most growth happens. When I’m in a valley, I try to tell myself it won’t last forever and to have faith that better days are ahead.
Take care of yourself. When things are tough, it’s easy to neglect our wellbeing. But making sure to eat healthy foods, get moving with a walk outside, and do relaxing things like reading or calling a good friend are important self-care practices. Taking good care of our mind and body gives us more strength to persevere.
Share your struggle with a trusted person. Bottling things up isn’t helpful long-term. I’ve found relief in opening up to someone I’m close with, whether it’s a family member, friend, or counsellor. Just talking through what I’m going throughout loudly helps me process and feel less alone. The person I share with doesn’t need to have answers – just a listening ear can make a big difference.
Look for silver linings. Even in tough times, there are usually glimpses of hope if we look close enough. Noticing the small acts of kindness from others or simple pleasures like a cosy cup of tea can help reframe challenges in a more positive light. Seeing light in the darkness takes mental effort but lifts the spirit.
Have patience with yourself. Going through hard stuff is difficult! Be gentle as you push forward – don’t expect perfection right away. Celebrate the baby steps of progress as victories. With self-compassion, the load feels lighter along the way.
I hope some of these tips provide encouragement. You’ve got this – valleys are just part of the journey, and this too shall pass.
Thanks for coming on this journey with me through the Valley of Dry Bones. My hope is that giving voice to stories of struggle and renewal provides a ray of light for anyone currently facing darkness in their own life. While challenge and adversity are inevitable parts of the human experience, they do not get the final say.
Through faith, community, and an unwavering belief in our own inner strength, each valley can become an opportunity to cultivate deeper wisdom, greater compassion – and hopefully lead us to heights we never imagined possible. Our potential isn’t defined by past failures or current setbacks, but by the new growth we’re able nurture in soils once thought barren.
When things are tough, it’s easy to lose sight of our gifts. But through faith, community and believing in ourselves, each challenge can cultivate wisdom and lead to greater heights. As the song “Dry Bones are rising” by Chris Shalom reminds us:
“I hear a sound, there is a shaking
The mighty power of the sovereign God is moving
“Every dry bone is rising up again
Every dry bone is rising up again
I hear a sound, the rain of abundance
There is a shifting in the atmosphere
Every dry bone is rising up again”
Listen to “Dry Bones Are Rising” here:
This blog seeks to remind you that whenever you feel surrounded by nothing but dry bones, better days are waiting just out of sight. Please know you do not walk your valley alone. If you’re in need of encouragement on the road ahead, I hope you’ll continue stopping by for insights, ideas, and companionship along the way. Wishing you all the courage, grace, and perseverance life requires keeping putting one foot in front of the other – for wherever there are.
Here is to overcoming!
Reg
Valley Of Potential 