What is the biggest mountain you have ever seen? Or maybe even climbed? There are so many beautiful mountains, to name just a few, there are the Rocky Mountains, then there’s also the Appalachian Mountains, and what about Mount Everest? Wow, that’s a really big one.
Did you know in our Christian life there are also many mountains that we may need to climb, and some of them are not very pretty at all? At times they can feel as big as Mount Everest.
The good news is if you are a child of God, he is there to help you every step of the way to reach the top of your mountain and overcome. Recently in my life, there was a huge mountain that I was challenged to climb. It was the mountain of worry and fear.
The Webster’s dictionary defines fear as: “An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” For me, that doesn’t even begin to describe the emotional roller coaster that these emotions were putting me through. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Little did I know that in my uncertainty, worry, and confusion, I allowed this to happen to me, I allowed myself be to be devoured. I always believed myself to be a woman of great faith. God has done many miracles in my life throughout my years as a Christian. There was no doubt in my mind on what Christ could do in my life.
So why was I now living in so much worry and fear? Why was this mountain so huge for me? I never thought that fear could grip me in such a way that it paralyzed my life. It had taken a hold of me and wouldn’t let go. “God,” I repletely asked, “Why aren’t you hearing my cries? Don’t you see my tears? Don’t you feel my pain? “God”, I asked again, “why aren’t you hearing my prayers? Where are you, Lord?”
The truth of the matter was, Jesus was there listening to my cries and seeing my tears at every moment that I cried out for him. Thinking back now, I came to realize he was trying to talk to me all along. However, I was the one who was not listening to him. I was so consumed with worry that I was listening to the wrong voice. I was so mesmerized by my fear that I was listening to the enemy and couldn’t hear what God was saying to me. I had become lost in my troubles and my pain. There were times I couldn’t even pray. I had no strength, no desire, and no hope. I was too wrapped up in this horrible emotion called fear. Fear is an emotion that is not from God, because God is love, not fear. Over and over the Bible tells us to “Fear not!”
Let me ask you? Have you ever experienced being so afraid of something that you forgot who you were in Christ? Did you ever feel like your whole life was wrapped around a debilitating emotion and it controlled your every move or even controlled your every thought? Did you ever realize it had control of your whole life and you just felt helpless? This was me! There were times I could not even think properly because all I could see or hear was that mountain of fear in front of me. This is how I felt and it was scary. But if there was one thing I knew, it was that God would not leave me alone and I clung to him like a 2-year-old child who clings to his parents’ legs when they are afraid or desperate. I held on tight to Jesus as he slowly carried me through. I put it all at his feet and waited patiently through my fear for something to change.
I have learned that fear can be something so strong in your life that it can be hard to prevail on your own and in certain situations, even if you’re a believer in Christ, it may take more than just praying to overcome fear. It will take faith, put into action by the word of God. It will take God’s mighty hand to walk you through.
The bible tells us that faith without works is nothing. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)
We must believe what we are praying for and speak it in faith, knowing that our faithful God will get us through one way or another. When we start speaking and thinking positive thoughts, we can move our mountains.
Jesus tells us in his word, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” (Mark 11:23)
I did not realize it at first, but little did I know, that the more negativity I spoke into my situation, the more control my fear had in my life. There was no wonder I was still stuck in worry and had no victory over my circumstances for such a long period of time. All I spoke was negative thoughts into my life. I came to realize at some point later that we are what we think, and we can become what we speak.
This fear had a hold on me and I couldn’t let go. I allowed it control me. I was speaking fear to my mountain, not faith. Jesus tells us throughout the Bible not to fear. Speak in faith, not fear.
But I was on a roller coaster and had lost all control of my emotions.
After many months of praying, although, at times I felt better, I was still consumed by my fear. So, I cried out again, “Lord what do I do to remove this Mount Everest from my life? Please Father, tell me what to do. I don’t want to live like this any longer. I am your daughter my Lord, I want to be free from fear and worry.” I suddenly heard God in my heart. He said, “Speak Faith, start speaking faith to your mountain.” Somehow, at that moment, I finally was able to hear God’s voice clearly say to me “Speak Faith!” That is what I heard him say “Speak Faith!” only those two words.
Immediately, I knew what he was trying to tell me. He wanted me to start speaking positively to my mountain. He wanted me to start speaking in faith to my fear.
These words were eye-opening for me. I could suddenly see the situation for what it was. Who could imagine these two words would be the start of my beginning to freedom?
God has perfect timing and although I didn’t realize that at the time, my fear was about to start breaking. His plan was now in motion, and I knew it would take moving faith on my part to start climbing my mountain. As he spoke those words to me he was preparing me for what was to come a few days later.
There was an emergency in my personal life that required me to step out in faith despite my fear. There was no reasoning, there was no choice, I had to get out of my comfort zone and I started climbing that mountain. Enough was enough! No more waiting!
So, I obeyed God and started speaking faith and positivity into my fear, into my situation, and to my mountain. As I did so, the stronger I felt, the more hope that I had, and the more peace I felt as I began to climb. Finally, this was a new beginning for me and I was on my way to the top of Mount Everest. I was on my way to Victory! For the Love of God casts out all fear! In Jesus Holy Name Amen!
POINT TO PONDER :
1. Are going through a situation in your life that feels like a huge mountain for you? If so, start speaking in faith and start speaking positively with the word of God.
2. Remember, God is with you as you speak positive and think positive thoughts. You will gain strength, peace, and hope while you wait on God for your outcome!
3. God is faithful, He will not let you go through it alone. Trust him and continue to speak Faith to your mountain!! God will sustain you and carry you through until the end!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 6-7)
PRAYER:
Lord, I praise you that I have the power to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. I will dwell on these things and have freedom and peace in my heart and mind. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.