Sometimes we choose to climb mountains.
We’re up for a challenge,
so we buy maps and boots and
join monasteries.
Other times, we’re forced to climb.
We’re kidnapped by heartache,
left in the wilderness-
alone with our prayers.
Sometimes when we’re asked to walk a high road,
it feels more like being left for dead.
But the truth is:
we’re surrounded by angels,
walking a holy road-
the only path to resurrection.
Just take one step at a time,
you’ll see.
Follow the glimmer of hope…
When it comes to achieving goals, we all know hard work pays off. But when life throws us a curveball, it’s hard to see the good in it. How could a scary diagnosis, betrayal or loss of a loved one ever “pay off”? Why does God allow horrible things to happen to good people?
It helps to look at struggles as invisible mountains we climb.
Pope John Paull II said “The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it rises toward ever wider horizons!”
When we look at challeges from a spiritual perspective, we can see the beauty of what matters most in life in light of eternity.
In Romans 8:28, we learn “All things work for the good of those, who love God and are called according to His purposes.” No matter what you’re going through-if you persevere in faith, God can make something good out of it including qualities of the heart like compassion, fortitude and increasingly genuine love.
Don’t fall for the illusion that life is supposed to be easy!
The ultimate goal of life is to glorify God. What reveals more of God’s glory than pure perseverence through adversity? When life feels like an uphill climb and we’re and we’re forced to walk by faith through trials when we’re not getting what we want, we can glorify God through our devotion to Him for His sake, rather than our own.
Physically, this may look like defeat. But spiritually, it’s a huge victory.
Whatever heartache life throws at you, I encourage you to persevere in faith, so no matter what happens, at the end of your life, you can say like Saint Paul “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
You can’t control what happens to you. But if you cling to hope and love through it all, you can climb to new heights and witness horizons of God’s glory in your life.
God, help us see our struggles in the light of Your love. Give us the courage to pick up our crosses and follow You up the steep mountain of faith and grow ever closer to You through the trials of life. Help us to grow spiritually through our struggles and unite them with Your cross to bring grace to others. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
What struggle are you going through right now? Comment below, and I’ll be happy to keep you in my prayers.