Mountains Were Made To Climb

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

1 Peter 1:6-7


Studying for a new Sunday morning series this weekend from the book of 1 Peter I am thankful for the opportunities the Lord gives me to listen to other peoples pain and what appear outwardly to be insurmountable circumstances they are facing. I say appear as with God nothing is impossible. The book of Job comes to mind when I think about the trials of this life and how everyone is facing and uphill battle in some area of life. It’s why we need to learn to treat the path that men follow as hollowed ground. It’s a privilege to be able to come along side people in their distress and to be able to offer comfort, hope and direction.

Reading the events of Jobs life that take place in the first few chapters of the book that bares his name, we learn quickly that life is no respecter of persons and that pain and suffering are as common as the cold to each of our lives. No one goes through this life unscathed. God has a purpose and a plan in every trail we face as He never wastes a hurt.

As I was going through some quotes on struggling to encourage those the Lord has led me too I ran across a story about an elderly Negro woman in the south who was sharing with a young man about the trials we all experience in life. She said to this young boy, “If the mountain was smooth you couldn’t climb it”. I loved it, so simple, yet so true. Her words brought to mind an old song by the same name, “Mountains” by the musical group, “Lonestar”. Its a real oldie but goodie and the words go like this,


“There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no one else,
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walk-in's easy when the road is flat
Them danged 'ole hills will get you every time.
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb.”


Yes, loved one, sometimes in life we all just have to crawl and I pray as you do that you remember that the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb. God didn't place mountains in our path to discourage us or to get us to quit. God places mountains in our lives to teach us to strengthen our faith and trust, to learn how to walk by faith and to help us learn how to cry out to God for help in our time of need.

Know this loved one, no matter trial you may be facing, no matter how high the mountain in front of you may appear to be, God is there to help you get to the top. The key to conquering your mountain is don’t attempt to summit it alone. Rely on God's strength as you face the trials of today and keep in mind the words of the apostle Paul who wrote to the church at Philippi… You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Keep climbing!

We are one day closer than when we first believed…

I LOVE YOU!