Mountaintops and Valleys

Mountaintops and Valleys

I remember one year our whole family went to Denver to go skiing. I remember the first day we were on the mountain it was so nice and beautiful. As we walked to get on the ski lift I thought to myself this should be interesting since I have never been skiing in my life. I got of the ski lift and off I went I feel about 100 times as I went down the mountain. As I went through the valley of the mountain I thought I would never make it and then I finally got to the bottom of the mountain in one peace. I got back on the lift and back to the top I went. This time as I went down the mountain I was able to make it down without falling. Then my brother challenged me to go up this mountain that was a blue and not green. So of course I was up for that challenge not really knowing he was taking to a black. As I went up in the lift I thought hmmm this is not going to be good and yep it was not good. I was at the top and I was so nice everything thing was so peaceful and it was like I was on the top of the world and nothing was wrong at all.  Then I got the area where we went down the mountain and it was a straight drop off I thought I am going to die. I said well here goes nothing and off I went. Oh my word as I started down this mountain it was up and down. As I was in the valleys I thought this was it I am going to die and then I got to the top of the valley and thought ok I can make it then down another valley I go. I finally made it to the bottom and thought I made it even though it was up and down.  As I went back to the top of the mountain again two of us sat and talked about how this felt like life. There are so many times we are on top then we are in a valley and wondering if we are going to make it then we hit the top of the valley and we feel better.

I thought of this verse Psalm 34:4 “ I sought the lord, and He answered and delivered me from all fears” As I went down this mountain and through the valleys skiing I prayed God would get me down safe Because I was scared to death.  Every life (including your) is an unfolding series of event: some fabulous, some not-so-fabulous, and some downright disheartening. When you reach the mountaintops of life, praising God is easy. But, when the storms clouds overhead, your faith will be tested, sometimes to the breaking point. As a believer, you can take comfort in this fact: Wherever you find yourself, whether at the top of the mountain or the depths of the valley, God is there, and because He cares for you, you can live courageously. The next time you find you courage tested to the limit, remember that God is your shield and your strength; He is your protector and your deliverer. Call upon Him in your hour of need and he will protect you. There comes a time when we simply have to face the challenges in our lives and stop backing down.