“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Mountains into Roads

Sometimes, life is hard. It feels like you are making no progress. You just want to turn around and go the other way--any way but the awful path you seem to be stuck on.

But you can't. The illness won't go away. Your kids won't behave. The job doesn't get any better. Your marriage isn't mending. The bank account is empty.

So, what do you do? You keep plugging on. You keep climbing that mountain, hoping against hope that you'll make it to the top and back through to the other side in one piece.

That mountain. We all have mountains we're trying to climb, barriers that are keeping us from where we want to be, that are making getting there (wherever "there" may be) tough.

But, do you know what? Those mountains are not truly our mountains. Sure, they're affecting us, but they don't belong to us. Those mountains--those struggles--are God's. He knows about them. He allowed them to block our path. In many cases, He put them there.

When I was doing my quiet time this morning, the Lord taught me something else He will do with those mountains. The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites, and this verse has blessed me all day, the more and more I think about it.
I will turn all my mountains into roads. Isaiah 49:11a NIV
The battles we face--the mountains we climb--will become direct paths to God's will for us. As we hike up that seemingly insurmountable peak, the Lord will use it to lead us on the path He wants us to follow. The very struggles we are experiencing will become the road that leads us to the precise location where God wants us.

So, if you're hiking one of those mountains, thinking you can't handle another day, press on. You may just be on just the right road, and God is right there with you.

And that's the best place to be.

6 comments:

  1. You made me cry. :-) I've definately seen how God has used my health issues to bring me along a different road than I would have, and to reach different people in different ways than I would have been able to if I wasn't sick.

    (((hugs))) Wish I could give you a real one.

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  2. Joanne,
    Hi, I'm so glad to have stumbled upon your blog...I know the "treasures of darkness" I've acquired through a chronic illness that God has allowed in my life, are exactly that ~ treasures.
    God is so amazing the way He gives us encouragement through His Word. Thank you for sharing that (rhema) word. I know you are highly blessed and favored:)

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  3. You are always inspiring and uplifting to me, Joanne. I just read your article in this month's Journezine and enjoyed it so much.

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  4. Oh, JoDear! This is so true!! I love that verse! (LoL, gotta go find it and underline it!!) *grin*

    Excellent!
    Huggles!

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  5. yes... the journey is what God uses to teach us and strengthen us. Praying for you each day.

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  6. The battle belongs to the Lord. It all does. What an incredible reminder, so well-written with authenticity and tenderness. Love it.

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