Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20

Mountains are some of the most incredible wonders of our home planet. The higher they rise to the sky, the more breathtaking they are. Because of their biodiversity and contribution to sustainable ecology, mountains also play a vital role in human survival.

Over the centuries, people around the world have looked at mountains differently. Some have been overwhelmed by their majesty, while others have been nervous or fearful around them. No one better than a mountaineer can describe the satisfaction of climbing a mountain and the effort and energy it takes to accomplish it. Depending on what side of the mountain you are on, it can inspire awe because of its size and beauty or cause disappointment because it obstructs the view of an even more majestic scenery. But, it can also cause frustration if it prevents you from getting to a desired location.

As the earth’s population grows, so does the need for urbanization and industrialization. This sometimes calls for land clearing, which unfortunately comes at the expense of deforestation and mountaintop removal. Likewise, as we grow (mature) in life so do the accompanying challenges, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. These challenges are like mountains before us. Therefore, we are also faced with deciding how to best remove them. Many know what to do (from past experiences) and successfully scale them while others struggle to climb or even take the first step up.

From health issues and financial instability to broken relationships and shattered dreams, personal mountains limit and sometimes halt our progress in life. These all require time to heal or time to accept. However, there is a mountain that becomes almost impossible to overcome. That mountain is called SELF.

We are indeed our worst enemy. We all have physical limits and limits to our abilities. The problem is, that we rarely test those abilities. Sometimes our character prevents us from taking the first step towards our mountain. Other times, it is a self-sabotaging behavior that magnifies (makes bigger) the mountain before us. These are both results of not developing a genuine trust in God and in the power He has given us to be overcomers.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” – 2 Tim. 1:7

Before you question whether or not you have a mustard-size faith that can command your mountain to get out of the way, first figure out if that mountain is self-made or if it is a true trial of life. Either will require more than simply quoting Scripture(s) and/or asking for prayer. You must first turn to your heavenly Father and completely trust His sovereign plan for your life. And remember, this plan may call for a “testing” of your existing faith. If the mountain before you has been placed by Him, be encouraged. He has given you the equipment necessary to gear up, climb, and eventually conquer. However, if it is self-imposed, you will get stuck indefinitely at the bottom until you look at yourself in the mirror, take a deep breath, confess the verse below, stop whining, and move forward without making excuses. In other words, begin to CLIMB!

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world [any mountain]. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our [my] faith.” 1 John 5:4

One last advice. To climb, any mountaineer will tell you that you must first be physically and mentally fit. So, make sure your faith is strengthened by developing a daily routine of immersing yourself in God’s word and prayer, and by worshipping Him simply for who HE IS and what HE HAS DONE.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2