Lisa Notes: Mountains around the corner

Mountains around the corner

[Reposted from February 2009]

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 125:2

I was camping out in the hotel room, resting from a week of doctors’ appointments and good news/bad news scenarios. My husband had suggested I walk outside when it warmed up so I could see the view of the Rocky Mountains from the other side of the hotel.

But I had already seen the mountains on another trip. Yes, I remember them as looking quite impressive, but frankly, I was tired of mountains.

My mountains of late had only been obstacles to climb. Or long detours to skirt around. Or roadblocks to prevent me from fulfilling my plans.

Yet, I wanted to appease my husband. So I stepped outside and walked around the corner. Then stopped dead in my tracks.

The mountains! They were magnificent.

The view was like none I had remembered seeing before. Their size and color and quantity were astounding.

And I repented.

Why had I been so reluctant to look face-on at the mountains? Too often I view the challenges of pain as mountains in my way, instead of majestic opportunities for God to flex His power.

God knows where the best views are. Sometimes they’re just around the corner, if I’ll step out and look up.

And yes, the mountains can be intimidating, but if I can view them from God’s perspective, I will be impressed with His grandeur. He doesn’t want me to be intimidated by the mountains in my path, but rather to open my mouth in awe at His strength.

While chronic pain may be as challenging as mountains at times, it can also give us unique perspectives to see God in light of His protection and adventure and wonder.

May I choose to see them as such more often.

Lord,
Thank you for never giving up on showing us Your grandeur. Help us adjust our attitudes to reflect Your glory as we gaze at the mountains with less fear of them and more awe of You.

* * *

Are you facing a mountain this week? What keeps it from intimidating you?

ORIGINALLY POSTED FEB 2009 AT
Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals
POSTED HERE FOR THE ARCHIVES

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dukeslee 37p · 632 weeks ago

"... majestic opportunities for God to flex His power."
My recent post #Tell His Story: You’re the Local Angle of God’s Story (A Video Message from Jennifer)

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3dlessons4life 38p · 632 weeks ago

Oh, for eyes to see!!!
My recent post A Good Life

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jerralea 29p · 632 weeks ago

Mountains certainly can be obstacles. I thought of that southern gospel tune, Mountain Get Out Of My Way. Jesus said we could move mountains if we had faith.

But also, mountains have mountain tops! We talk of great spiritual blessings as mountain top experiences. I'm sorry to hear you deal with chronic pain - I didn't know this - but I'm in awe how active you are and all the wonderful spiritual insights you share. God bless you as you climb the mountains in your path.
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1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

Thanks, Jerralea, for mentioning that we also have mountain top experiences. Mountains bring many things, and if we can keep open hands and open hearts, we can remember that the Lord knows best and accept it all. Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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floyd 60p · 632 weeks ago

I've been facing a long and steep mountain for the last four to five years. Sometimes it feels like a Valley of the Shadow of Stress. The only way to ever find true peace is to be in the shelter and wing of our Father by drawing nigh unto Him. It is wearing in this flesh and the flesh is wearing... Feeling it today too. I'm praying for you, Lisa.
My recent post TRAMPS LIKE US

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

That's a long time to be going uphill, Floyd, but I know you seek solace in the right places so I pray you'll continue on continuing on. And thanks for your prayers for me. My pain hasn't really increased the past few years--it stays fairly stable, which on one hand is assuring. I'll just try to stick with that hand. :-)
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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stephani · 632 weeks ago

Why is it we always use mountains to illustrate the difficult aspects of our challenges when they just as easily illustrated the glory of his presence in the midst of them. I love this Lisa! I'm so sorry about your chronic pain. Will be praying.
My recent post No Room For Ingratitude

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

I appreciate your prayers, Stephani. I know you have your own mountains you've been climbing the past few years--and you show His glory that you find in the midst of them. That always encourages me.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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beverleysmith36 50p · 632 weeks ago

Yes God teaches us me can even when we think we can't. He will always carry our burdens.
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1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

I realize your pain is much greater than mine, so I hate to ever whine about my own. But thanks for being sympathetic nonetheless, Beverley. Yes, God carries us and our burdens. I am grateful and I know you are too.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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kati woronka · 632 weeks ago

I was told recently by a colleague that psychological studies have been done proving that we need some dose of "wide open spaces" on a regular basis to maintain our emotional health. This thought has stuck with me for several years now, because the glorious mountains are something our soul needs to see, and I see such a unique and thrilling connection between the physical and the spiritual... I have to remind myself to go out and look, but I try to do so! :) Blessings on you as you struggle through the not-so-lovely mountains...
My recent post Trauma squared

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

Interesting that you mention those studies, Kati. When Jeff and I were traveling a week ago through some wide open spaces, he told me I should quit reading fpr a few minutes and look around, because he knows I also say it's so good for my soul to see those. I need to be reminded to look up. Thanks for your encouragement, friend.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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bluecottonmemory 55p · 632 weeks ago

I have struggled recently with seeing the blessings - couldn't look past the heavy darkness - but like you, I looked out at the mountains - literally - and I so needed to - to meet Him there in the blessing:) Wishing you blessing as you face your challenges - wishing you stir the heart up to find the blessings - wishing that for both of us:)

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

It's good you have physical mountains that you can look at; there's something about their grandeur that helps put things into perspective. Kind of like standing on the beach of the ocean. I hope to do that in a few weeks. I don't have mountains in my daily view, but I do have some very old and large trees that remind me to be amazed at our Creator. Praying the best for you, too. Thanks for your words and blessings.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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Mia 31p · 632 weeks ago

Dear Lis
I don't know what illness you suffer from, but I know chronic pain for I have Fm/CFS. I can honestly agree with you that although this illness at first seemed like an insurmountable mountain, I now just see the glory of my Pappa God as He carries me every day! Visiting from Emily's. I hope your visit to the doctors went well and I will be praying for you!
Much love XX
Mia

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

Thanks for your prayers, Mia. I had written this post awhile back, so the doctors' appointments are all way past, but they were never able to help with my pain. It's basically back pain, and it flares the most when I lay down, so sleep hasn't come easily for a decade now.

Nonetheless, I know that my pain is a piece of cake compared to those like you who suffer from FM and CFS. So my prayers are with you too. You guys are my heroes who manage to keep pressing forward despite such debilitation. Our God is faithful in ways we could never have dreamed we'd need.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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Brandee · 632 weeks ago

What a view! So many things to like about this post: your submissiveness to your husband, your repentance before God, your appreciation for God's gifts...

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

I'm not sure I'd even thought of it that way myself, Brandee. :-) Thanks for the encouragement.
My recent post Touch the dead. I dare you.

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Court · 632 weeks ago

My mountain this week is struggling with the death of a baby that I had been praying so hard for. I agree though, with the perspective and timing being right and what he plans out for us. It's just hard to get my mind around why it is necessary for a baby to ever have to die.
My recent post Pushing through

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

I don't know that we can ever get our minds around that. :-( And I think God understands that, and is okay with our confusion. After losing my baby Kali many years ago, I struggled with so many emotions, and even though I still don't understand why things happened like they did, I did finally come to an acceptance about it and finally a peace.

I pray for you on your journey through the loss of your baby. I am sorry. That is definitely a mountain if ever there was one. If there's any thing I can do to help you work through your grief, email me and we can talk. Blessings to you.
My recent post Mountains around the corner

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