Mountain Climber

Philippians 4:13 “ I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Have you ever been in a situation so tough that all you do is pray for God to move the mountain? Well, up until a couple weeks ago, that’s what I had been doing. Praying my heart out that God would move the mountain in my life. One day, while in small group, someone said something about a tough situation that changed my prospective and my mindset. I sat that night and thought, what if it’s not God’s desire for the mountain to be moved, but for me to gain strength to climb it? All along, I had been circling this mountain waiting for it to be moved, when God was asking me to climb it.

James 1:2-3 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

That scripture does not say IF you’re tested, it says WHEN you’re tested. Another word that stood out to me was opportunity. Do you consider your trials an opportunity or are you all “woe is me?” I’m not saying you can’t show/feel emotion because there is a time and a place for everything, but how often do you look at your trials as opportunities? Think about athletes that are considered the best. They put in the work and they sweat. The training is tough, but they endure because they know the end result. This is the same with our faith. God will test us and every mountain will not be moved. Not because God can’t do it, but because he is trying to give us stamina in our faith. The end result is strength. The end result is victory.

So, my prayer is no longer, “God, get me out of this, it is “God, give me the strength to endure.”

What mountain or mountains are you facing today? Ask God to show you what he desires of you in the situation. Maybe you’re in a season where he is building trust and he wants you to trust him to move the mountain. Or maybe you’re in a season like mine. Maybe God wants to strengthen you. He’s saying, stop circling this mountain. Put on your shoes and watch me give you strength to climb it!

Happy Monday!