Truth be told, many times we're not even speaking in faith anyway, but rather out of fear: we don't want to climb anything that remotely looks like a mountain. So this leads me to ask, "Are you afraid of the mountain or the climb?" I only ask because we mistakenly look at situations, like illness, bankruptcy, and divorce, as mountains. However, upon closer scrutiny, the situation is not at all the mountain, but merely the climb. Interesting, isn't it?
GOD has equipped us to endure situations (or hardships, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:3) in order to get to the mountain peaks to which we're headed. When you think about it, we even refer to hardships as valley experiences. But consider this: in order to get from the "valley low" to the "mountain peak," WE'VE GOT TO CLIMB, right? Of course!
It's during the climb that we learn obedience, just as our Christ did (Hebrews 5:7-8). It's while climbing that we experience His strength being made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore, let's be converted (or change our mindset) concerning what we've called mountains beforehand, so that we can embrace the climb as a prime opportunity for GOD to show Himself strong on our behalf as He does a new thing within us.
(Note: I look forward to sharing with you on tomorrow some thoughts concerning the mountain to balance today's discussion of the climb.)
Elton, this is good stuff. Sometimes, the thought of using our faith to assist in the "endurance" (e.g. climb) does allude us. Particularly, in this "microwave" generation in which we want every uncomfortable situation over in a minute. Further, you make a good point in that sometimes it is fear of the mountain and/or climb that hinders us.
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