Mountains in our lives

I recently climbed Cape Town's iconic Lion's Head and whilst making my way to the summit, so many thoughts crossed my mind and reminded me how many times in life we face mountains of various shapes and sizes. Some with more complex and trickier paths and some not so challenging. All the thoughts, feelings and emotions led me to write this post. 

It does not matter what your race, background, educational status, level of employment or age, each one of us have mountains to climb in our lives. At times these mountains seem too steep to climb, but the Lord promises us, that He will help us to climb these mountains and also help us to overcome it.

Mountains in our lives come in the form of work stress, financial problems, marital problems, problems with children, family issues and the list goes on. We all know the kind of mountains we or someone we know may have faced in life. The mountains we face can be overwhelming and can pose threats to our overall wellbeing; body, mind and soul.

When faced with what at times seem like an unclimbable gigantic mountain we need to remember we serve a mighty God that will hold our hands and help us climb and overcome this mountain.

The mountains that we face are not new, someone, somewhere at one stage in their lives have faced a similar mountain before. How you climb and face your mountain may not be the same as another person, your journey to the summit may take you on other paths and rocky roads, and it is important to know that the Lord will always make a way for you and He is by your side every step of the way.

When facing these mountains, we may at times feel alone, but we are not. Pray to God and ask for His guidance. He may even send “help” in the form of family, friend or colleague to support you and help you conquer your mountain. Our climb becomes easier if we have someone around whom we can talk to and hold our hand.

To end, we all have mountains in our lives, some bigger than others. The first step to overcome a mountain is to identify it, say it as it is, give it a name and understand how it affects you.

Be clear on what you want to achieve once you have climbed and overcame the mountain. Honor the journey as you climbing the mountain. It will not disappear overnight. Throughout keep praying, keep hoping and keep making the required changes in your life that will help you overcome the mountain.

Remember the Lord has given us power over every situation that we come against. Trials and tribulations will come and go but the love, forgiveness and promises of the Lord will always be there.

Does it scare you?

Attempting something new can be terrifying. You never know for certain where you’re going until you get there. And it’s difficult to silence your fears. BUT, it is okay to feel scared. Even though I must admit, it's not a great feeling.

There is a well known quote saying “Do one thing every day that scares you” - Merely thinking of this scares me, coz what possibly can I be doing every day that will scare me. Well, it can be as simple as dancing alone in front of a crowd of people, singing out loud, asking for help, pitching an idea, speaking in front of an audience, admitting a mistake, taking on a new task/responsibility etc.

These are my simple steps to become more confident in situations that scare you.
Step out of your comfort zone.
When you stay within your comfort zone, you restrict yourself to a room that has limited opportunity for excitement, adventure and growth. Don't be scared to touch the edges of your comfort zone. It is important to try something new/scary to stretch your limits and discover what you are capable of. You will soon learn, what was uncomfortable, will become second nature. Each level of discomfort will challenge you to grow and expand your level of confidence. Take one step at a time, that is all that matters.

Stay optimistic - no matter what.
We are surrounded by many people whom have managed to overcome tough times by having an optimistic mindset. If a situation makes you feel insecure or scared, stay optimistic and cut out any negativity. Focus on what is scaring you and then shift your approach on how are you are going to face it. Whether it requires more practice, more learning, more research - do it. The more you familiarize yourself with all the aspects of this fear, the more competent you will become and through that you will develop a thought process on how best to  attempt what is ahead of you.

Lastly, Be Strong.

Remember that this is your life and you are in control. Being strong is not just about physical strength. When faced with difficult circumstances, some people will stumble and fall during a storm and are never able to get up again, whilst others survive and even thrive once the storm has passed.

We all have the strength and intelligence within us to overcome any obstacle that’s in our way. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to take on the world with an unbeatable inner strength and power.

Remember, never let anything get in your way of achieving your goals!

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Embrace Uncertainty

Uncertainty is part of life and something that almost everybody feels at one stage or the other. Being uncertain or unsure does not mean that you are lost - it simply means that you are living.

 At times, uncertainty can be overwhelming!

The most difficult part of uncertainty, at least for me, is the inability to plan and feel in control. During those times, it is important not to become lost in the uncertainty. Deal with the curveballs that life throws at you on a day to day basis, handle what you can, how you can and when you can. And trust that whatever is remaining will work itself out over time.

 Uncertainty can keep you up at night.  At times, you will obsess over ways to protect yourself from anything that might go wrong. On a positive note, the uncertainty can motivate you to practice acceptance, live in the moment, and embrace the adventure of living.

What’s coming tomorrow might not be easy - or it might fulfill you in ways you didn’t know to imagine. What’s certain is that it will come and when it gets here, you will respond to it, learn from it, and move into another tomorrow full of endless possibilities.

 

In moments of overwhelming uncertainties and confusion, JUST BREATHE, and in a slow and steady voice, say to yourself - Life is good and deal with it!

Feeling unsure and lost is part of your path. Don't avoid it. See what those feelings are showing you and use it. Take a breath. You'll be okay.