My new t-shirt reads, “I CONQUERED GROS PITON!” That’s right! My hubby and I completed this hike on Saturday, February 4th, 2023. It was likely the most difficult hike I have ever completed. The journey up the mountain was filled with boulders, uneven terrain, and steep climbs! Our legs were burning and shaking with fatigue. Our lungs were straining to get enough air from our exertions. Our hearts were beating out of our chests. We were soaked with sweat. And we craved water for our thirst.
The hike reminded me a bit of my journey in life in this world, at times…
- Life is hard.
- I feel fatigued and drained.
- I am out of breath from the pain and grief of heartache and loss.
- I am shaky from my emotions due to my trials, challenges, and anxiety.
- I am thirsty for more depth of community and closeness with friends, family, and my Savior.
BUT…on the positive side…
- I am not alone! (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20)
- I have hope even in the difficult journey. (Romans 5:3)
- I have a guide to help me find the way. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- I have community of someone who cares for me and my circumstances. (Galatians 6:2, James 5:16, Proverbs 27:17)
- I have more strength in me than I knew existed. (Isaiah 41:10)
- I am blessed and loved and created for a purpose. (John 3:16, John 13:34)
Our Lord does not leave us alone in our suffering or in our journey. If we invite Him into our lives and accept Him as our Savior, He promises to never…NEVER…leave us. He will be with us always, strengthening us and guiding us in our journey. I was struck by this similarity on the hike. The guide did not leave us or give up on us. She walked ahead of us…providing guidance and encouragement on how to navigate the climb. She sensed when we needed rest, but also pushed us to continue and to not give up.
Jesus does the same for His people. Scripture is filled with His words of encouragement to press on and to let Him guide our life. The stories of the Bible describe over and over how much God loves us, His great displays of mercy and grace, His intervention on of His people, and ultimately His sacrifice of His own perfect son, Jesus, to save us from sin and ourselves. The Bible is a love story. It is a love story of our Creator to His creation. Below are only a few verses speaking to God’s encouragement to us to press on and fight the good fight for the Kingdom of God; words of His love; and the Truth about His plans for us.
1 Timothy 6:12, ESV
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Romans 8:35, 37-39 (NLT)
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Yes, life is hard. BUT we have Jesus standing strong beside us to lift us up! (Isaiah 41:10, Ephesians 3:16)
Yes, we will feel pain and loss. BUT we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit to provide us peace beyond our understanding. (John 14:27)
Yes, we thirst for more out of this life that leaves us parched. BUT we have the promise from Jesus that He offers us living water where we will never thirst again. (John 4)
I never thought I would be able to do a hike like this at this point in my life. With my anxiety issues, on-going pain, and vertigo, I thought this would be impossible. But I was wrong. I did it! I am praying that you have confidence through the power of Jesus, determination to press on through the trials, and hope for the future bounty of eternal life. All things are possible with God and He will never leave you alone.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
- What mountain is in your path of life today?
- How do you feel about it? Fear? Anxiety? Challenged? Determined?
- What first step are you willing to take today to climb up and press on through it?
Please share your thoughts in the comments. Your story will be an encouragement to all of us and we want to encourage you in your journey!
Hugs & blessings, Sweet Circle,
Stacy
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