This morning when I woke up, I was in great pain. I found myself thinking, “I don’t know if I can do this.” The pain was so great that I just wasn’t sure if I could meet the demands of the day.

Before anything else, I usually go walking first thing in the morning.

If you read my book, “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” you know that I’ve shared that part of my story is that I lost my father at a very young age. He had his first heart attack at the age of 40. Despite changing his diet, giving up smoking, and taking on a daily exercise regime, he died of a second, but this time fatal heart attack at the age of 42.

So honestly, a big part of the reason why I exercise, is for my family. I know heart disease runs long in our family, so I do everything I can to minimize that generational risk.

I also do it because it’s good for my mental and emotional health. I also do it because I love the quiet time with the Lord.

But this morning I was in such bad physical pain that I found myself thinking, “I don’t know if I can do it today.”

How big is the mountain in front of you?

Where I walk there are some huge hills to traverse. I have a couple of friends who have journeyed those hills with me and they would attest to the fact that those are some big hills!

This morning as I was making my way up one of those hills, I thought, “I don’t know. I just don’t know if I can do this. It’s just too big.”

Just then I sensed the Lord whispering to my heart, “Michelle, whose voice are you listening to?”

That was all it took. I acknowledged the truth, “You’re right Lord, that was the enemy, trying to convince me not to do what I knew I needed to do. “

Because when I am out on my walks, I spend time with God. That’s when I get to thank Him and praise Him for all He is doing in and through and for me. And that’s where I get the perspective of what He wants for my day.

The enemy doesn’t want me moving forward in my destiny or in my kingdom work, but Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

The enemy doesn’t want me moving forward in my destiny, but Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God wants us to take the next step. When we do, He’ll give us strength for the next one. #JesusChrist #faith #trust

Take the next step.

I sensed God saying, “All I want you to do is take the next step. Take the next step. “
Then when we take the next step, He will give us strength for the next one.

Too often, however, we look at the mountain before us and that overwhelms us, so we think we can’t do it. Facing an entire mountain is overwhelming, but the very next step is not.

The enemy wants us to focus on the mountain and get overwhelmed, rather than focusing on the mountain Creator. Our creator is there at the top of the mountain, but He’s also right there with us each step of the way as we journey up the mountain.

This morning I hiked up the big hill, putting one foot after the other, just taking the next step. I live in north Texas where we don’t experience much fall to speak of. But at the top of the hill where I walk, I was rewarded with a gorgeous view of a cluster of trees in their peak color. It was beautiful. If I had not put one step in front of the other, I would have missed that gorgeous view.

I don’t know what mountain you have before you. Later today I have work, more writing, housework. Maybe your mountain isn’t a physical hill. Maybe it is work, maybe it’s being a caregiver for a loved one. Maybe your mountain is your finances.

Don’t look at the mountain.

Don’t look at the mountain. Just take the next step. In faith. Take his hand in faith. And He will go up that mountain with you. You aren’t on this journey alone.

 

Hope-Filled Perspective: Just Focus on the Next Step

 

Hope Prevails!

Dr. Michelle

 

 

Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study offer hope for overcoming depression.

Find hope for depression through Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle BengtsonAvailable now through book retailers!

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the new companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand: how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

 

 

The enemy doesn’t want us moving forward in our destin. He wants us to focus on the mountain and get overwhelmed, rather than focusing on the mountain Creator who is with us every step of the way. #faith #trust #HopePrevails

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