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.”
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 Prevails!
Dr. Michelle
Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study offer hope for overcoming depression.
Available 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.
MICHIGAN! As I write this it is snowing… just as beautiful as our Fall colors! Thank you so much for helping me through my journey with such compassion Michelle.
Sandy,
I miss Michigan and the beautiful change of seasons. Praying He meets you each step of every day in every season!
This truth comes at just the right time for me. 🙂 It can feel overwhelming to move forward when we don’t know if we’ll make it up the entire mountain. I’m so thankful for God’s strength within us! Thanks for sharing this truth today. Visiting from #TeaAndWord.
Michelle, what a great reminder. When I look at the mountain I’m overwhelmed. When I look at my Creator and take the next step I keep moving. Blessings to you.
This is such a great reminder to myself. There are things coming up for me that I don’t think I can handle but I know God has equiped me with all I need! Thank you for sharing this.
On the days where the next step is all we can do, it is enough. I need to remind myself of that.
Thanks for the reminder. It seems when we focus on just the next step, something manageable, we can do it. One step at a time. And soon all those steps equal arriving at our destination. This post reminded me of hiking on the continental divide this summer at Glacier National Park. We went up and down for 14 miles in one afternoon. And I kept thinking the same thing when it was steep and going up, up, up. Just a few more steps. Just a few more steps.
Thanks for this reminder not to look at the mountain, but to simply take the next step. I’ve always said for me starting is half the battle, especially when I have a big project. It’s another way of saying almost the same thing.
Enjoyed this post and the encouragement you share to have faith, courage and a willingness to take that one next step. Blessings!
YES! God Carries us one step, one task, one thought at a time.
What an encouraging word. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week.
Thank you, Michelle. This is such a faith inspiring and encouraging post! One step at a time makes all movement forward appear possible, especially when we take hold of God’s hand. Blessed to stop by from the #graceandtruth link up.
“The enemy wants us to focus on the mountain, not the mountain Creator.” – Amen, Michelle! Loved this post this week, thanks so much for sharing. I have experienced this a lot, I think we all do, but to recognize it and change our trajectory is huge.