The Only Way Out, Is Through

So often in difficulty we want some easy way out; but there is no easy way out. The only way out of difficulty is through difficulty.  We must traverse pain and challenge to reach the heights of God’s best.

                                   

One of the joys of last summer was visiting Lookout Mountain in TN, a place I’d always longed to visit. But there was one problem:  to discover Lookout Mountain, you’ve got to climb Lookout Mountain.   Well, I conveniently put my son behind the wheel, but it was still an ordeal for all of us, as we encountered steep climb after steep climb, switchback after switchback, mile after mile.   To be honest it was a nerve-wracking, anxious experience; in fact, there were moments when I was sure we were going to slide off the mountain!   But we preserved, we kept driving, in spite of the pain and distress.  For the only way to discover Lookout Mountain, is to climb Lookout Mountain!   And the result was worth it, as we finally reached the summit and some of the most glorious vistas I’d ever seen!

God wants you to discover glorious vistas.  But glorious vistas are only possible through a steep, nerve-wracking climb.   And so go ahead: make the climb.   For “the Lord gives me strength.  He makes my feet as sure as a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.”  (Habakkuk 3:19, Contemporary English Version)

The grip of God's strength is heightened as we absorb God's terms of endearment.  Terms like: forgiven --  John 2:12;  loved -- Jeremiah 31:3; precious -- Isaiah 43:4;  anointed -- Psalm 23:5; destined -- Jeremiah 29:11; upheld -- Isaiah 41:10; valued -- Luke 12:7; sanctified -- I Corinthians 6:11; empowered -- 2 Corinthians 12:9; the apple of [God’s] eye -- Deuteronomy 32:10.

Such terms underscore God ability to fortify our soul from any enemy, any challenge, any assault.  For Oswald Chambers is right – “No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God, in a human spirit -- it is an inner unconquerableness. [And so] if you have ‘the whine’ in you -- kick it out...."

And so 'kick out the whine,' moving through your challenge -- any challenge -- with God.  For with God, an unconquerableness can come to life.