| Mountains in life are inevitable. Everything may be going | | | | thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be |
| just great; when suddenly a huge mountain obstructs | | | | done. And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, |
| your path. Initially you feel as if you cannot go on, often | | | | believing, ye shall receive." (Mat. 21:21-22) He's affirming |
| to the point of despair. | | | | that in His strength, you can do all things! (Phil. 4:13) |
| Just as with a physical mountain, there are a number | | | | I'm reminded of three personal experiences. Travelling |
| of alternative routes to get your setback behind you. | | | | by train from Italy to Switzerland, I remember angst |
| One way is to pretend that it doesn't exist, wishing that | | | | welling up in me as a massive peak loomed up right in |
| it was all a bad dream and, if you close your eyes, it | | | | our face. It seemed like an inevitable crash was about |
| may just fade away. Alternatively, you could circle the | | | | to happen! Then, with a sudden start I realized we |
| mountain, climb over it, tunnel through it, or fly over it. | | | | were in the Mt. Blanc tunnel! I did not know the route |
| Be careful not to fall into despair and eventual | | | | was taking us that way, but thankfully the train |
| depression. If you mull over the problem, keep | | | | engineer did! What a marvellous experience to greet |
| wondering 'why me?' and constantly speaking about it, | | | | the sunshine after that smooth fast ride! |
| you magnify the mountain instead of God. The | | | | Another time in Spain, we were on a winding, narrow |
| mountain will seem much bigger than it is and, instead | | | | road hugging the very edge of a precipice. The closer |
| of going directly to God for the answer, you may try | | | | we came to the top, the more worried I became |
| to solve it your way, blaming others and even Him for | | | | about negotiating the steep descent in the lightly falling |
| your misfortune. | | | | wet snow. Out of the blue, a beautiful landscape |
| Let's consider a professional mountain climber. First of | | | | stretched out before us! There was no sign of a |
| all he has a goal. The vision of a victorious outcome | | | | mountain anywhere! I burst out in song, thankful that |
| becomes so strongly embedded in his spirit that it | | | | this mountain had such a smooth outcome. |
| drives him onward without wavering. Secondly, he | | | | My third experience was even more exhilarating than |
| trains extensively to be as fit as possible. When all the | | | | the previous ones! In a glider plane with my instructor, |
| preparations are ready, he hires a guide who knows | | | | there was no motor, no noise, and not a care in the |
| the terrain intimately. Lastly, he challenges it with words | | | | world to distract me. Relying completely on my |
| like: "I am going to conquer you!" | | | | instructor, I was utterly thrilled to feel the wind updrafts |
| Major setbacks require a lot of preparation. It's | | | | gently lifting the tiny craft up and over the surrounding |
| impossible to just walk onto the high peaks and expect | | | | hills and settling us gingerly back down at our |
| instant victory. As in the physical example above, you | | | | destination. |
| need to first see and know that, if God declares that | | | | Have courage! The more you know God, the more |
| you can beat your mountain, then it is so! Secondly, | | | | you will trust Him. Take Him at His Word, and stand on |
| you need to exercise your faith. This starts by trusting | | | | His Promises. He may lead you swiftly through it, help |
| Him for the small things. As you recognize His daily | | | | you climb over it onto smooth terrain, mount you right |
| blessings, your faith will grow accordingly. Ask the Holy | | | | over it as if With Wings As Eagles (Isa. 40:31), or clear |
| Spirit to be your guide. He will comfort you, lead you to | | | | it out of the way in one fell swoop. It shall be done |
| faith-building Scriptures, and provide wisdom regarding | | | | according to His purpose and your level of faith. |
| the source and outcome of the dilemma. Then, | | | | No matter how you attain the victory over your |
| constantly speak out loud the verses of victory over | | | | mountain, you have the assurance that He will never |
| your situation, expecting the victory. | | | | leave you nor forsake you! (Heb. 13:5) You are more |
| Jesus states: "if ye shall say unto this mountain, be | | | | than a conqueror through Him who loves you! (Rom. |