Fruit grows in the valleys

Earlier today, a friend shared a post with a quote attributed to Billy Graham: “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” The words immediately intrigued me, making me pause to meditate on their meaning. Out of curiosity, I decided to fact-check whether Billy Graham actually said this. It turns out, he did! This quote is featured in Quotes from Billy Graham: A Legacy of Faith and has been referenced by his grandson, Will Graham, in a devotional on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's website.

This discovery made me reflect deeply on the profound truth captured in the quote. As I turned to Scripture, it became clear how much this idea resonates with biblical teachings.

- Mountaintops: A Glimpse of God’s Glory

• Moses on Mount Sinai received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20), a pivotal moment for Israel’s relationship with God.

• Elijah on Mount Carmel witnessed God’s power as fire consumed the altar, affirming His supremacy (1 Kings 18:20-39).

• Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-8).

Mountaintops often symbolize moments of revelation and inspiration. In scripture, these experiences are transformative but temporary:

These mountaintop moments are inspiring but fleeting. Moses returned to lead a wayward people, Elijah fled in fear soon after his victory, and Jesus descended the mountain to face the challenges of His mission. Mountaintops refresh and inspire us, but they are not where spiritual fruit grows.

- Valleys: The Fertile Ground of Faith

James 1:2-4 teaches, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing”.
Valleys stretch our faith, fostering growth and maturity that mountaintops cannot achieve.
In Psalm 23:4, David declares, “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me”.
Valleys teach us dependence on God, revealing His comfort and faithfulness in the midst of difficulty.
Jesus said in John 15:4-5, “Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me”.
Valleys teach us to abide in Christ, the source of all spiritual fruitfulness.
Romans 5:3-5 reminds us, “We also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”.
Valleys deepen our trust in God and cultivate the fruit of hope that sustains us through life’s challenges.

The valleys, by contrast, represent seasons of struggle and testing. Yet, the Bible consistently shows that these are the places where God refines us and produces spiritual fruit.

1. Trials in the valley produce endurance
   

2. God’s presence in the valley of shadows
   

3. Fruit comes through abiding in Christ
   

4. Suffering produces hope

God often uses valleys as places of transformation:

• The Valley of Baca (Psalm 84:6): Pilgrims passing through this valley of weeping find refreshment in God’s provision, turning hardship into blessing.

• Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14): God brings life and restoration in a place of desolation, demonstrating His power to renew.

• The Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17): David defeated Goliath in this valley, showing that God’s strength is perfected in human weakness.

As I reflected on this quote, it made me stop and consider how often I long for the mountaintop moments while resisting the valleys. But it’s in those low places where God shapes us, pruning what hinders growth and cultivating spiritual fruit that lasts. The valleys force us to rely on Him, trust in His timing, and embrace His refining work.

This journey through scripture reminded me that valleys are not places of abandonment; they are spaces of divine transformation. The fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other qualities the Spirit produces (Galatians 5:22-23) is grown in the fertile soil of trials, nourished by God’s grace.

If you find yourself in a valley today, dear friend, take heart. Valleys can feel dark and overwhelming, but they are never the end of the story. While the mountaintop offers breathtaking views and inspiration, the valley is where God tenderly shapes us, nurtures our faith, and grows the fruit of His Spirit in our lives.

Hold on to the truth that valleys don’t last forever. Psalm 30:5 reminds us, “Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning”. Just as seasons change, God is preparing you in this valley for the mountaintop ahead. The trials you face now are refining you, strengthening you, and equipping you to stand firm when you reach higher ground.

Lean into His Word for guidance, abide in Christ for strength, and trust that even here—especially here—He is at work. As Psalm 84:6 says, “As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings”. God can turn the most barren places into sources of refreshment and renewal.

Be encouraged that this season has a purpose, and it will lead to greater heights. In the end, Billy Graham’s words ring true: “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” And when you finally step onto that mountaintop, you’ll carry with you the fruit of God’s faithfulness, ready to glorify Him and bless others.