In 2021, Robert Rodriguez found himself in a valley. After pastoring for two decades across the East Coast, he entered a season of negativity amidst a pandemic, racial division, and burnout. In Rob’s valley, he stepped away from ministry to seek biblical trauma counseling, checked in with friends who encouraged him and spoke truths, and grew closer to God.
After six months of healing, Rob joined Solid Rock Community Church in West Unity, Ohio as the lead pastor. Rob began writing down what God revealed to him in his valley and this became the recently published book, “The Valley Experience: Finding Victory in Life’s Lowest Moments.”
The theme came after Rob spoke with a farmer at his church. “A valley is not a bad place,” the farmer explained. “Geographically and scientifically, the valley is where the richest soil is.” Rob realized when a shepherd brings sheep to the valley, even though it’s scary, it’s the best soil.
Rob’s book answers the questions: “What is a valley?” “What does scripture say about our suffering?” “How can we find victory?” It also includes examples from the Old and New Testaments about men who found themselves in valleys of their own. Elijah, for example, experienced burnout and isolation. David felt discouragement and fear as he fled from Saul. These stories help us see how God reached into these valleys and met these men right where they were.
Tangible resources in the back of the book will equip readers with tools like prayer prompts, scripture references, counseling resources, and more. Rob’s ultimate hope with this book is to help others navigate experiences similar to his own. “I’m here to tell you there is victory. The valley doesn’t mean the fight’s over.”
