Don't Avoid Your Obstacles
65
If The Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn’t Climb It
“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13).
Someone once said, “If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.” If you’re not experiencing resistance in your life as you press on, beware! You may not be moving higher. You may have reached a plateau, or even worse, you may have started on a slow but sure decent. Anytime you are moving upward in life you will be met by resistance. To ascend in life does not come without effort. The mountainside is littered with boulders, crevices, and jagged edges. Without these obstacles providing a hand or foothold, climbing would be impossible. You can’t rise in life without resistance just like you can’t climb smooth mountains.
Look at the obstacles in your life’s journey. What are the obstacles you face? How are you dealing with it? Do you get discouraged? Are you tempted to turn back? The natural tendency is to avoid obstacles altogether. Yet, these obstacles serve a purpose. Pressing ahead was not meant to be easy. Just like the downward pull of gravity, our lives encounter a spiritual resistance. You literally find yourself “straining forward” against this force. The day we stop pressing ahead is the day we start going downhill.
You must embrace life’s obstacles and setbacks. The lack of money, time or experience may be your most likely obstacle today. Although these obstacles may loom large before you, you must learn, like the apostle Paul, to see beyond them as you press on toward the heavenly goal. Just like climbing a mountain, the air gets thinner, your breathing gets harder, and your load gets heavier. Yet as you draw near the mountaintop, your view gets so much clearer. While weight resistance builds muscle mass, spiritual resistance will build the strength of Christ Jesus’ character in you—that’s the prize!
© 2009, Gicky Soriano. All rights reserved.
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heart4theword, Thank you for sharing such an uplifting verse and your down-to-earth story of restoration and hope. You come out of that personal experience blessed with a sense of what truly matters most in life. All blessings to you this Christmas season!
Gicky, Thank you VERY much! I could never tell you how much I needed to hear this message today (not even with one of my longer hubs -grin-). The closing statement "spiritual resistance will build the strength of Christ Jesus" character in you—that’s the prize!" has renewed my strength! I thank God for your life and ministry brother!
b4u2c, May the obstacles you face today draw you closer to Christ Jesus who gives us the strength to overcome the impossible odds. Bless your heart this special season.
I LOVE the heading, If The Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn’t Climb It!! Well written Hub, but that nothing new for you!!!!!!!!! YES! Amen! Love you!
drpastorcarlotta, This past year has taught me much about mountains and obstacles. I'm learning still. Life doesn't get any easier nor smoother every step of the way upward, but the rough edges draw me to the One who gives me strength. Thanks for your visit and generous comment. Stay well and God bless you.
Hi tito, this is very inspiring!
Lisa, Nice of you to drop in leaving me an encouraging note. All blessings to you.
I agree with drpastorcarlotta, the title grabs one's attention because it is a truth not always thought of during times of difficulties but adds a rich motivating flavor to the determination to climb on, press on in His name.
The Psalmist said, "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."
This hub meditation of Him was sweet and I rejoice in the Lord. Thank you.
Blessings always!
Gicky, When my mother went through heart surgery and ended up in ICU for one month and then later having several months of recovery she began getting depressed, but she pushed forward. I asked what made her keep pressing on. She said that each morning, out loud, she would say to herself, "Ruth, put your feet on the floor and move." That has been my catchphrase whenever I want to sit down and throw a fit over my obstacles and rough climbs in life. I know God's word says to "press on" but there have been times I did not know how to apply it - and always the encouragement of mom's words gave me a practical means to put it into motion. So, in all of what was written here I found another practical nugget to apply when needed. “If the mountain was smooth, you couldn’t climb it.” Having climbed my share of mountains I can easily see the value in these words and I am sure one day they will be used to urge me on. I don't know who originally said it, but thanks for reiterating it. Bless you, Brother.
Excellent Hub!
RevLady, Stay determined to press on Sister. All blessings on your journey upward in Christ Jesus.
kaloomba, I pray that this hub has given you a helping hand in your trip toward Christ Jesus. Stay the course and stay blessed!
coffeesnob, Wise and courageous words from your mother: "Ruth, put your feet on the floor and move." - a catchphrase that continues to help you overcome your life's obstacles. Thank you for sharing your current climb in a comment. As the song goes, "Ain't no mountain high enough to keep me from getting to you - God that is! Blessings as you press ahead with your eyes on the prize.
Gicky Soriano, This is an Excellent hub exuding wisdom! It is so very important for us to realize that whatever is happening in life God is totally aware of it! ALL His PROMISES are TRUE! "He will NEVER leave nor forsake us!"
As you stated: "You must embrace life’s obstacles and setbacks. The lack of money, time or experience may be your most likely obstacle today. Although these obstacles may loom large before you, you must learn, like the apostle Paul, to see beyond them as you press on toward the heavenly goal. Just like climbing a mountain, the air gets thinner, your breathing gets harder, and your load gets heavier. Yet as you draw near the mountaintop, your view gets so much clearer. While weight resistance builds muscle mass, spiritual resistance will build the strength of Christ Jesus’ character in you—that’s the prize!" AMEN!
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my Help come from? My Help comes from the LORD The MAKER of heaven and earth..."
Thank you for sharing this enlightening and encouraging, timely "Message" Wonderful! Blessings!
Deborrah, This past year, our climb up the mountain has steepened. Pressing ahead toward the goal, seemed near impossible. The obstacles have come in the form of financial fissures, credit crevices, and a boulder of bills. Thank God the Maker of heaven and earth, lends us a helping hand as we embrace and let go these setbacks. So many lessons that couldn't be learned at base camp. Only when climbing and overcoming obstacles will we discover our strength in Christ Jesus. Be blessed every step of the way.
Gicky, great hub. Looking forward to the new year brings hope and resolution. Mountains are beautiful and challenging for those who undertake the climb. For those who choose just to look and not climb the mountains in their life, will never know what the summit holds. I pray for you and know with your faith that you will not only climb but move the mountains:) Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!
Timely, From one fellow mountaineer to another, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God. May your journey deepen your faith and strengthen your resolve to follow Jesus. All blessings as you stay the course keeping Christ in the crosshairs.
This is just perfect!! I love the whole truthful concept; I am very encouraged! Lord knows, I'm one of those facing the obstacle of provision and housing ~ everything is at risk and yet the most valuable treasure I have is in my Lord! Praise God, this world cannot take Him away from us! He is everything and will see me through, just like YOU and everyone that loves Him!! God bless you!
JD, I can empathize with your financial woes. I too have been beat down with similar troubles. Oscar Wilde once said, "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." To borrow this quote and apply it to our circumstances: Although the whole world is in a dark wood, some of us are pressing on toward God's light in Christ. May this upward journey toward Jesus cause you to see him as you've never seen him before. All blessings Sister!
Gicky, I should be very high from this past year...though it doesn't feel like it yet. Your words were such enlightened truth! I am still learning to 'embrace the obstacles'...
Your hub today was just what I needed to remember...THANK YOU!
frogyfish, Bless your heart. I know that when I write, I write first and foremost to myself. The obstacles that we all face during this worldwide economic downturn in tremendous. To understand why this is all happening is one thing, to embrace this obstacle is another.
This morning I was encouraged by a verse I read in Isaiah 7:9b: "If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all." By faith, I have chosen to embrace this obstacle of an economic woe trusting that God will strengthen me to stand firm in and through these trying times.
May the Lord strengthen you and keep you in whatever obstacles have come before you. God bless you as you walk in his truth.
Awesome hub!
When you're the closet to your breakthrough you will have the most resistance. Even though the air may get thinner God has given us strength like the eagle, you see the eagle is the only bird that can fly the highest due to it's God given ability to do it with less oxygen-and for us it would be walking in the spirit/strength of the Lord!
Ps 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
Your right it's the prize/the harvest that is what we press toward & keep envisioning.
heavenbound5511, May you continue to overcome life's obstacles, move forward in faith, and inhale Heaven's native air. All blessings to you.
Am a foreign student,, who just came into d uk to do my masters,,, just checked my first result,, n I didn't pass... I feel so broken....so broken...
Kaycee, My heart goes out to you. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. May you experience God's power, His dunamis or resurrection power that restores, mends, and binds up our broken lives.
heart4theword Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago
When the going gets tough, the tough get going they say:) A friend encouraged me, at a time in my life where it seemed the harder I tryed to get ahead, the further back I went. She shared this scripture with me: "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent amoung you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed." Joel 2:25-26
This scripture was such a blessing to me at the time. It helped me to not look at my circumstances in the now. I really couldn't see, how God could restore all that was taken from me at the time. Honestly, I can say now to those who might feel this way....he did! Now He has brought restoration! Just when I think, that is it, He restores another area in my life.
God is so Awesome! Thank you, Gicky for this inspiring hub, to not give up...even when things get rough!
Keeping focused on Him, is worth the inconvenience of the little things...that really don't matter.