“God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:19 ESV

Strength to the Mountaintop

Walk His Way Revisited

It takes a lot of energy, endurance, and physical strength to climb a mountain. It is essential to have physical, mental, and emotional training, as well as having the proper shoes, clothing, food, water, and gear for the journey. On the climb we need to take time to rest, observe our surroundings, and enjoy the view. We can look back and see the distance from where we’ve come.

After a challenging deep and dark valley experience, God encouraged me to begin my climb up the mountain. He guided me through the valley of emotional pain that enveloped my life for many years. I kept silent for awhile, and then I began to reach out for help from the people I thought could help me; but, to my hurt and surprise, it made my situation in the valley much worse. It brought more confusion into my life, and my pain seemed to double. I became more withdrawn and I felt that no one could relate or understand me nor my situation—so once again I kept silent. God had to deal with the bitterness that developed in my heart from all the pain and hurt that I allowed in my valley experience.

One day, God guided me to a dear friend from our church. I then faced my hurt, confessed my bitterness and gave it all to my Lord. To find someone who could say with all her heart, “It will be okay” and, “Don’t be concerned with all the confusion” meant everything to me. This was the beginning step on my journey to my mountaintop.

At the beginning of the hike up my mountain, I learned to bask in God’s love for healing and restoration by praying and reading His Word. God surrounded me with loving people who really cared about me, understood my heart, didn’t encourage me to play the blame game, and who didn’t judge me—these people were necessary for my healing.

God does restore and refresh us on our journeys. “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name” (Psalm 23:2-3 NLT). I believe that God equips us in our valleys, heals and restores us on our journey up our mountains, prepares us with strength and endurance to climb the steeps parts, and continues to equip us for His purpose and His glory. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8 NLT).

Thank You, Lord, for the people You put in our path at the perfect time. Thank You for Your healing touch and for teaching us Your ways in the valleys and on the mountaintops. Amen.