Two-minute read.
Hiking alone in the woods, I felt isolated. Spotty cell service cut me off from the world, and with each step I took, the connection weakened. But the woods’ beauty captivated me. The earth’s scent and the shades of green in the leaves, highlighted by rays of sunshine breaking through the canopy, brought my senses to life. Now and then, a scurrying animal or branches blowing in the breeze sent leaves falling to the ground, breaking the silence.
God’s creation in full glory.
And I felt fear.
My vulnerability in an unfamiliar place seemed highlighted. Worrying about snakes, bears, and other predators kept me from enjoying the beauty around me. Instead of turning around, I prayed.
“Lord, let me enjoy this beautiful trail. Don’t let me miss this moment.”
And He did, as God helped me conquer another mountain on another day.
In the past few years, I’ve climbed many mountains. And I’ve begun to understand that they come with life. Whether physically or metaphorically, we all become mountain climbers, overcoming fears one prayer at a time, one step at a time. We have a Creator who holds our hand as we traverse the hills in our lives.
With divine help, we can climb any mountain.
Every mountaintop comes with a view.
To see it, we must climb.
Holding our hand, God leads the way.
Fear tries to derail us from enjoying our Creator’s work. Only when we lean into Him can we experience the joy of our journeys. Instead of focusing on the “What ifs?” we can focus on “What will be?” when we trust the future to the Savior. We will find victory, not in our power, but in His.
Progress, not perfection, gets us to the top of the mountain. We will stumble and fall, but the Lord lifts us back up and helps us keep going. Perseverance happens in steps, not leaps. Putting one foot in front of the other and trusting God to hold our hand helps us achieve the dreams He gives us. We fulfill our purpose in millimeters, not yards.
Even though I didn’t know exactly where the trail would lead me that day, I trusted God’s guidance. With Him, we don’t have to have everything figured out. We must trust that our Father’s hand holds ours, and He takes the next step with us.
Mountaintop views come after the climb. Let the Lord lead you to the top.
Journal Questions:
- What situation are you facing right now that makes you afraid?
- What would change if you truly believed God was holding your hand through it?
- Where do you need to ask God for His help today?
Application:
Gain strength for today by clinging to the Savior’s hand as He holds yours.
