A Beautiful Climb: Finding God in Your Difficult Journey
My husband and I recently traveled to the beautiful Blue Mountains in Georgia for a getaway. Researching all the area had to offer, we learned about a hike that led to an amazing waterfall. We packed our hiking boots and water bottles and headed through winding and scenic roads toward the state park.
As we were about to step on to the trail, a family sitting on a nearby bench greeted us with smiles. An older gentleman with plenty of spunk, said, “Good luck!”
My husband, equally spunky, answered back, “Do you think we’ll need it?”
”Oh yeah, about halfway up you’ll be feeling the pain,” the man replied with a chuckle.
Having just come down from the trail, he knew exactly what was in store for us. We wished him a good rest of his day and proceeded to the trailhead. A few steps up that steady incline and I was already on the struggle bus. That guy wasn’t kidding. As I became winded, my mind began to ask the questions…
Is it going to be this hard the whole way up?
Is this going to be worth it?
Am I even having fun anymore?
A few steps more and I lost the ability to make small talk with my husband as taking that next step was my only focus. A battle had begun. It was a battle of the mind and the body. The battle to focus on my breathing, remain determined, and enjoy the beautiful scenery around me despite this trail’s obvious intent for me to miss out on it.
I was in one of my favorite environments alongside my favorite person in the world and, despite the beauty surrounding me, I was struggling.
About halfway up that steep incline I decided to call a timeout. I leaned against a large boulder, strong and warm from the sun. After a few moments my breathing slowed and my body relaxed. I began to appreciate the sound of the water running alongside us and the birds hopping from branch to branch in the trees above. I noticed the chatter of people passing by us.
After sufficient rest, we continued our climb and finally arrive to admire the beautiful falls. The journey, wearying as it was, was truly worth it. We sat for close to an hour on a man-made deck at the base of the highest point of the falls. We soaked in the spray, the grandeur and the peace of God’s creation, willing time to stop so we could stay a little longer.
Finally, we took one more deep breath and headed down the trail before the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Our trip was ending and soon the responsibilities of adulthood, parenting, ministry and full time jobs would dictate our daily routine once more.
Have you ever walked through a season of life that left you asking the same questions I did that day?
Is it going to be hard the whole way?
Is this going to be worth it?
Am I having fun anymore?
Value the journey itself
Life can feel a lot like that path my husband and I hiked. Though beauty and blessings surround us, the challenging parts keep us from seeing and enjoying them. As the busyness of life grabs our attention away from the simple moments, it is helpful to remember that our focus should not be the destination but the beauty in the lessons learned and wisdom gained along the way.
It’s okay to call a timeout, rest and take time to heal when things get tough.
Everyone is different and, because of that, each journey will look different. Why? Because God is a personal God, involved in every detail of our lives. He has lessons for us to learn based on the season of life we’re in, our spiritual maturity and our willingness to be teachable. Some parts of the journey will require more stops or detours along the way. Some will be shorter and easier. But the point is to value every step, no matter the level of ease or difficulty.
How can you purpose to seek God and the lessons He has for you throughout your journey?
Find your people and invest in those relationships
Pause to see the beauty of God’s creation all around you every chance you get
Focus on taking one step at a time
Pace yourself and walk in step with the Lord and not the world
A trusty manual to rely on
I think back to the man’s advice to my husband and I that day. He took the time to see us, acknowledge our journey ahead, and warn us of the challenge. God’s Word does the same. Each day we have the ability to pick it up and fully rely on it as a manual for life. It has something to say to us for every struggle, situation, and question we have.
Most of all, it is a constant reminder of the goodness of God and the promise of His love and provision for us. As you walk out your own journey, I pray you will battle through the steep inclines while leaning into God and the truth of His Word.
Scripture for meditation
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Prompts for journaling and discussion
Do you often find yourself rushing through life without observing the beauty around you?
What part of life is most often squeezing out your ability to rest and feel at peace?
Schedule some time in your calendar for slower paced activities or complete rest and observe how it affects the rest of your week and your mental wellbeing.
For further study, read Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 25:10.
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