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